The prayer focus for February will look at children and young people in our area, especially praying for the outreaches run by the church to this age group. Pray for all who are involved in teaching children God’s Word, especially on Sundays. This is a tiring and time-consuming ministry which often is carried on behind-the-scenes, but it is vital that helpers are soaked in Biblical truths and can present these to children in fun and relevant ways… all of which requires their commitment, energy and enthusiasm. We are grateful to all who are involved in this work and who have a real commitment to teaching children the truths and joys of God’s Word.
The church also runs a youth club on Monday evenings for 5-11 year olds. Give thanks for the fact that we have new adult helpers at this who want to be involved in this work and for the many people who have served faithfully in this ministry for years. Pray for the children who attend, many of whom do not have any other association with church. Pray that there will be opportunities for Christians to share Jesus with these children and that the children will be drawn into church through this outreach.
Pray also for the Parent & Toddler group which meets on Friday mornings. Some of the Mums who attend also have children who come to the youth club. Pray for each of the families with whom we have contact, for friendships and the opportunity to share Jesus.
It’s not easy growing up in our present society. There are enormous pressures on children and young people: pressures to perform well academically, pressures to find appropriate training and jobs, pressures to ‘fit in’ with friends and conform to the world’s ideas about fashion, morality, media and so on. Family structures are not always stable and there can be issues with insecurity, image, self-esteem and worth. Pray for all who work in schools and for Christian witness in schools. Pray also that children and young people will be taught about God and will come to know God for themselves. Prov 22:6 reminds us ‘Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.’ The Message version of this verse says ‘Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old they won’t be lost.‘ Pray also for children of church members (whatever age they now are!) who do not follow Christ to find Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life and to pledge themselves to His way.