INTERNATIONAL DAY OF

PRAYER AND FASTING

MONDAY 4th MAY

Praying God’s Word for the youth of our countries.

My husband and I are International coordinators of Wake up Deborah, a YFC prayer ministry. We pray every day for our children and for the youth of our country and around the world. We invite parents to participate in this focus with us.

We pray for salvation, for holiness, for the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives and that they would serve God at all times. We pray for the youth who receive the Message and for the volunteers that work with YFC. We challenge the parents to pray for their children and for youth 15 minutes every day.

We have been working with YFC in Brazil since we were teenagers and we love the youth. We pray for YFC and for youth like they are our own children. We “adopt ” them spiritually.

No one prays for a child like their parents. How can we forget our children, or the youth, our passion and focus in YFC? How we can pray objectively for the youth and for our children?

Some parents say that they don’t have much creativity and can’t pray objectively for their children. In their families, the children are happy, healthy, obedient and intelligent. “What else can I ask?” they say. “I always prayer for these requests, but should I repeat the same things every day?”

Have you heard about preventive prayer? We pray today and our requests remain in the cup in the presence of God and in His time, he will act promptly within His perfect will (Isaiah 60:22).

Would you like to pray more effective prayers? Something that gives fruit for eternity? Prayers without expiry dates?

Pray the Word of God for your children and for youth. It is the express will of the Father in Heaven, if we pray according to His will, we will receive what we ask (John 15:7).

Here is something to get you inspired. Please, in your daily devotional begin to search the Word of God for everything you would like to happen in the lives of your children and youth and pray for this.

Example of Prayer – As you read Scripture, replace the words “my child” with the name of your children, or the youth you minister to in YFC, as you pray for them.

Pray this for your children: Ephesians 1:17 - “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” I pray that “my child,” would be wise, would receive revelation and Thy knowledge, oh my God. Only with your knowledge will he be joyful in his life. Give him enough provision for his own use and to share with those people around him. I perceive Your actions in his life everyday and I give thanks for this.

Jeremiah 31:3 – “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.'” Father, may “the youth” see you and feel Your love in a supernatural way, and realise Your love and Your care for them, even as you call them to come to you as part of their every day lives.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Father, I pray that “the youth” live every wonder and purpose that You have prepared for their lives. Help them to see that the best place to be is in the center of Your will.

Psalm 119:30 - “I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.” God, may “my son” always be faithful to you, faithful to his wife, children and family. May he always choose Your way and chose Your Will in every decision that he makes.

Psalm 1:3 – “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Father, may “my child” find their daily food in You so they will be well nourished.

Isaiah 61:9 – “Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” May “my child” and their future generations be known as the blessed seed of the Lord!

Joshua 24:15b – “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” May my whole family know you as Lord and Saviour of their lives. May my life give a thirst of You to my children. Have mercy and teach me how to show them by the example of my life that You are worthy of following.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.