Sometimes the teenagers we love go through season of pain and suffering, and we quickly reach the limits of our human ability to help. We long to pour out our hearts to God, but it can be hard to find words when we are worried or afraid. Thanks be to God, we who have the Holy Spirit do not have to form perfect phrases, because “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). But there are times when it is a comfort to us to speak words, to pray out loud from the Scriptures, because as we pray we are reminded of the promises and character of God who loves our teenagers more than we can imagine. Over the next few weeks we will offer you prayers you can use as a starting point to lift up the teenagers you love to the Lord. We hope these will encourage you to remain steadfast in prayer, for “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (Jas. 5:16).
Heavenly Father, your Word instructs your children to cast our anxieties on you, because you care for us (1 Pet. 5:7). In our worry, we have too often misjudged your character, questioned your kindness, and doubted your provision. We have not considered the ways that you provide for all life, including food for ravens and beauty for lilies of the field. If you care for these, how much more do you care for us, your children (Luke 12:22-31)? We have little faith. We believe, help our unbelief (Mark 9:23-24).
Father, in his anxiety and worry, my teenager has believed the lie that he can control his circumstances. Help him to remember that by worrying, he cannot change what you have ordained, or even add a single hour to his life. Help him see that worry and anxiety are fruitless tasks. Help him to look at life through the eyes of faith. Help him to see his current circumstances as part of your eternal plan to work all things for his good and to make him look more like Christ (Rom. 8:28-30).
While he is not in control of his life, remind him that you are God—the one who speaks into existence things that do not exist (Rom. 4:17). You are the one who brings life from death (Rom. 4:17), beauty from ashes, and comfort and gladness from mourning (Is. 61:3). You can still a raging sea with merely your word (Mark 4:35-41); please do the same for my teenager. Speak your ‘peace, be still’ to his troubled mind. Quiet the inner turmoil of his heart. Remind him of your power and your care and that nothing is impossible for you. Help his unbelief.
Thank you for holding all things together by your power (Heb. 1:3 Col. 1:17). Thank you for giving both my teenager and me life and breath today. Thank you for sending Jesus to take our sin and give us his righteousness (2 Cor. 5.21). Thank you for forgiving our sins through Christ, and delivering us from death and darkness to your kingdom of light and life (Col 1:13-14). Thank you for your continual presence and for your peace that surpasses understanding which guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7). Thank you for being the Prince of Peace. Thank you for your loving care and concern to meet all our deepest needs.
Lord, teach my teenager to trust you, to learn the secret of contentment in every circumstance: that through Christ, he can endure all things. He is weak, but you give him strength (Phil 4:11-13). If it is your will, I pray that you would take from him this anxious spirit and frame of mind. If not, help him to know, rejoice in, and feel that your grace is sufficient for him, and that your power is made perfect in his weakness (2 Cor. 12 8-10).
Help him to be free from every form of greed (Luke 12:15) and every form of idolatry (1 John 5:21) and to remember that it is your good pleasure to give him the kingdom (Luke 12:32). Help him to value your kingdom and kingship above all else, and give him a generous spirit toward others in need (Luke 12:33-34).
Renew his mind. Give him faith for what he cannot see. Grant that one day, he might comfort others with the comfort he receives from you (2 Cor. 1:4).
In Christ’s name and for his sake I pray. Amen.
