“I dream of my friends finding hope…”
The four teenagers sat on stools at the front of the room. Nervously fidgeting with their hands, they shared their worries, concerns and dreams for their generation. Their revelations helped to inspire and inform some deeply targeted prayer for this next generation.
It was the first Monday in the month, a time that a few us have carved out as a regular time to pray for the next generation. Sometimes we meet in the morning for a few hours, sometimes we pray on our own or in our churches. This month over 100 people gathered at Arise Church in the evening so that the young people themselves could also join us.
The event was organised by One Heart Sound, a group of leaders in the Love Dudley network who have a heart to reach the youth in their community. The strategy is to spend 2019 in preparation, ‘ploughing’ through prayer and equipping to then enter a season of sowing, reaping and keeping as we enter 2020. Although it was planned and located in the Dudley borough, these events are always open to others from the wider area to join.
Throughout the night there were times of worship, reflection, interactive prayer stations and communion – to link in with the Lord’s Prayer that we are working through each month to focus our sessions. However, the highlight was undoubtedly the voice of the four young people sat on the stools:
“Mental health is a real issue amongst my friends – I want to know how I can help them.”
“I prayed for my friend for years and then she actually came to church and then became a Christian!”
“We need to be more tolerant towards each other.”
“My dream is that my generation find hope.”
That’s my dream too.
Lord, may You be the hope of this generation. May they find peace, joy, self-worth and strength knowing that You are there for them. Help us all know how we can be positioned to support those younger than us so that they too can have a revelation that You are the Light of this world.
The next OHS event is at Primrose Hill Community Church, Netherton on Monday 2nd September, 8pm. The purpose will be to pray strategically for children, young people and staff as they start a new academic year. You are very welcome to join us there. Maybe you could also set a reminder on your phone for the first Monday of the month and join with hundreds of other people across our region as we pray together for this next generation.
Who knows what God will do….
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