Paul writes to Timothy: “First of all, then I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people… that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Yesterday, we gave thanks for our teenagers. On day three of Rooted in Prayer, we petition God for specific concerns you may have for the teens you disciple. Use these prayers as a starting point and refer back to Monday’s article on Rooted Parent for more ideas about how to engage Scripture as you pray.
Salvation: Father, we pray that our students would come to confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord. We pray they would believe in their hearts that You raised Him from the dead, so that they would be saved. For we know that by believing in their hearts our students are justified, and by confessing with their mouths they are saved. You have promised that everyone who believes in You would not be put to shame. You are Lord of all, and You will bestow Your riches on our students, if they would but call on You. (Romans 10:9-13).
Help our students to understand and believe, Father, that You so loved the world that You gave Your only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Help our students to trust that You have so loved them, that You have given Your only begotten Son Jesus, that if they would believe in Him, they shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).
Father, please cleanse our students from all their idols. Give them new hearts, Father, and put a new spirit within them. Remove their hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh. Put Your Spirit within them and cause them to walk in your statues and be careful to obey Your rules. I pray they will be Your people, Lord, and You will be their God. (Ezekiel 26:25-28).
Protection: You, O Lord, are faithful, and You will establish our students and guard them from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
Father, You are our students’ rock and fortress and deliverer – their rock in whom they take refuge. You are their shield, the horn of their salvation, their stronghold, and their Savior. You save them from violence. We pray that when they need Your protection, they will call upon You, because You will save them from their enemies. Help them to know that You rescue them because You delight in them. May our students sing praises to Your name. (2 Samuel 22: 1-4,20,50).
Battling temptation: We thank You, Father, that no temptation will overtake our students except what is common to man. We thank You that You are faithful and will not allow our students to be tempted beyond what they are able, but with the temptation You have made a way of escape, so that they will be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Jesus, we are so grateful that You were willing to be made like us in all things, that You might be a merciful and faithful High Priest to atone for our sins. For in that You Yourself have suffered and were tempted, You are also able to aid our students when they are tempted. Teach them to watch and pray, lest they enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. (Hebrews 2:18, Matthew 26:41).
Friendship: Father, give our students the heart of Caleb, who had a different spirit in him and followed You fully, in spite of the unbelief of his fellow Israelites. Give them friends like Joshua, who alone stood with Caleb, trusting You. (Numbers 14:24).
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends – Father, we pray that You will show our students opportunities to lay down their lives for each other. Give them the desire to do so. For our students did not choose You, but You chose them, and appointed them that they should go and bear fruit. (John 15:13-17).
Stress, anxiety, and pressure: Father, we pray that our students would count all things as rubbish in order that they may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of their own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ. We pray that they would be able to rest in the righteousness that comes from You, that comes through faith in Christ—that they might know Him and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:8-10).
Lord, we ask that You help our students understand that we are not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we pray that they would believe in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16).
Father, we pray that our students would know the blessing of trusting in You. If they will put their hope in You, they would be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads its roots out by the river. They would not fear when the heat comes, but their leaves will be green, and they will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will they cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Father, instruct our students not to worry about their lives, what they shall eat and what they shall drink, nor about their bodies, what they shall put on. Lift their eyes to the birds of the air, and remind them that the birds neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet You feed them. Impress upon their hearts that they are more value to You than the birds. They have never grown an inch nor gained a pound by worrying, Lord; please remind them of this.
Father, help our students not to worry, saying “what shall we eat?” or “what shall we wear?” For You know that we all have need of these things. But if we seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, all these things will be added to us. By Your Spirit, remind us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and we will be free from worry about tomorrow. (Matthew 6:25-34).
Whenever our students are grieved by sin or sadness, Father, restore to them the joy of your salvation, and uphold them by Your generous Spirit. (Psalm 51:12).
Love for God’s Word: Father, demonstrate to our students that there has not one word failed of all Your good promises. So is Your Word which goes forth from Your mouth; it shall not return to You void, but it shall accomplish what You please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which You sent it. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but our students can rely on this: Your words will by no means pass away. (1 Kings 8:56, Isaiah 55:11, Matthew 24:35).
Lord, we pray that our students would seek You with their whole hearts, and not wander from Your commandments. Teach them to store up Your Word in their hearts so that they may not sin against You. Open their eyes that they might see the wondrous things out of Your law. (Psalm 119:10-11, 18).
Father, we long for our students be like the Bereans, who received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scripture daily to verify the teaching they heard. Show them that the Scriptures were written for their learning, that they, through the patience and comfort of Your Word, might have hope! (Acts 17:11, Romans 15:4).
Head on over to the youth ministry side of the blog today for thoughts on interceding for the teens you disciple.
