God, Give Me Faith For The Next Generation

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

It goes without saying that kids these days are under a tremendous amount of pressure if for no other reason than their world requires them to either contend at the gate or shut up and blend in.

Whether you are a parent or just somebody that loves and believes in the children of your local church family, I think having a little vision and perspective beyond ourselves helps us pray more informed and perhaps even more effective prayers.  God would not call upon them to contend at the gate if He did not desire to glorify Himself through their contending.  

The privilege each of us has in playing our part to shape, nok, and shoot the arrows God has given us is so important.  It is what they used to call in the olden days, “a grave responsibility.” Either we are responsible or our lack of responsibility will send us to the grave. And yet we run from ministry to children like the plague.  But who are we kidding, we can run from them when they are little and we are still mobile but eventually they will catch up to us when we are old and feeble and unable to run away.  Why not face our challenges when we have the opportunity to shape and aim them?  

So I propose we buckle down and press into Jesus concerning this up and coming generation.  Let's ask God to give us vision for this next generation that will equip us to pray with great effectiveness.  Let's ask Him to help us be effective influencers of the Kingdom in the lives of this next generation.  Have eyes to see with your holy imagination that great gospel preachers, teachers and prophets are presently hidden with layers of immature but developing behaviour, character and emotions.  Are you willing to believe that God has at least given you a modicum of apostolic gifting that allows you to call out, equip and release these children into their foreordained destinies as world changer? Your name may never appear in a history book, but as you set your life to the mission of God concerning this next generation believe that their name might.  And that might just be because you were faithful to your mission and your faithful prayer and present witness raise up a generation of fearless God Chasers, passionate pursuers of His presence, unashamed worshipers, Holy Ghost firebrands and effectively multiplying disciples of Jesus.

Pray:
God we ask you, give us vision for this next generation.  Help  to us give ourselves away, influencing them to chase after You with all that they are! 
 Ask the Lord to give you vision for the next generation. 
 Ask the Lord to enable them to cottend at the gate.
Ask the Lord to show you how to pray for the next generation with hearts that are full of faith.
Ask the Lord to transform and increase this next generation to be Holy Ghost trailblazers, empowered firebrands.

Come on saint of God, write that prayer down and declare it unto God.

Written by Pastor James Haffener for Kingdom Venture 22 - 21 Days of fasting and Prayer Spiritual Emphasis