I’m convinced that when a young adult asks me to pray for something for them, they REALLY DO want me to follow through with ACTUALLY praying with and for them. At that moment! And what a powerful opportunity it is for us to show that we really do trust the Lord when we stop and pray when they’ve been honest with us as they face the questions of life.
Recently, I was having a conversation with a young adult and he was sharing with me some of the struggles of finances, jobs, and questions in his life. He asked me to pray for him in all of these aspects. I used to say that I’d for sure be praying about that for him. Now, though, I’m convinced there is power in the moment when we stop wherever we are and spend some time praying then and there.
When young adults are seeking to be obedient to what the Lord is calling them to do, they want you as a young adult ministry leader to pray for them. When they are seeking to rid their life of the sin that continues to raise it’s ugly head, they want you to pray for them. When they have questions about new situations they are facing, they want you to pray for them.
As young adult ministry leaders, don’t miss the opportunity to pray with the young adults in the moment. And don’t forget to pray for and with them in the days to follow.
Here are some things to remember as we pray for the young adults in our sphere of influence.
- Be specific about how you are praying for them.
I’ve been guilty of praying really generic prayers. However, as I see how Jesus prayed, He modeled a lifestyle of prayer that was very specific. When we pray in Him, we have every reason to pray for the specific aspects of life. Name the need. Name the sin. Be confident that the Lord hears your heart for His intersection with that young adult’s life and the very present need.
Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14 (CSB)
- Make the prayer need a matter of consistent prayer.
As powerful as it is to pray in the moment, continue to make the matter a point of prayer in the days to follow. Be persistent in praying for the young adult and the need that has been expressed to you. As you pray for them, continue to listen to God’s heart in how you can be even more specific in that prayer. Don’t give up on this prayer!
“For I put my hope in you, LORD; you will answer me, my LORD, my God” Psalm 38:15 (CSB)
- Don’t forget to follow up.
When a young adult shares with you a prayer request and you’ve had the opportunity to pray with them in the moment and in the days to follow, don’t forget to follow up with them. Ask how they have seen God work in the situation. Ask how you can continue to pray more specifically. Celebrate with them when the Lord reveals Himself in the situation. Young adults know that you care for them when you follow up with them through text, a phone call, or in person in regard to the prayer request that they shared with you.
“This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 (CSB)
Be a young adult leader that consistently points toward the hope that is in Jesus and the power He has to meet all of our needs.
Mark Whitt is the Collegiate and Young Adult Specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources. Before joining Lifeway, he spent many years on the campus of Murray State University as a campus minister. Connect with Mark on Twitter.
