**UPDATE: We are just so happy to have all of you 20-somethings flock to requesting prayer! Our faithful God surely hears, and cares to His core! If you do not see a specific partner reply to your request, know that the LPM Staff have adopted you. We will pray for each of you, joyfully!
One of my favorite things about Twitter is that we can come to really love someone we wouldn’t have even known to like. Someone from an entirely different part of the country or the planet. Someone from a totally different tradition of our faith. Someone in another generation who serves God in a way that is fresh and exhilarating to us. I have a whole mental list of those and just this morning prayed for a number of young women that I’ve gotten to “know” there on that ridiculous stream of social media that I love. It is a young man that I’ve come to appreciate so much, however, that prompted this post. His name is Jefferson Bethke. I didn’t know anything about him until 6 months ago when Melissa, my youngest daughter, told me she enjoyed following him on Twitter. He is a great communicator God clearly has His hand upon and a poet who creates fantastic thought-provoking videos. I’m glad to have the privilege to tell you about him but that’s not why I’m bringing him up today. A week or so ago on Twitter he mentioned sitting on the airplane, moved with emotion over various testimonies he’d been reading of lives dramatically changed by Jesus Christ. It hit me right then that one of the things I loved best about him is that the young man simply has a pure heart. He just flat-out loves Jesus and loves people. It’s consistent in everything he says and writes. I felt an urgency right that moment to ask God to protect that holy passion and sustain it the length of his days.
And that’s when I thought of all of you in his same generation who really do want to honor God and fulfill the purpose for which He planted your feet on this earth.
Here’s what I want to say to you: you really can maintain a pure and fiery heart toward Christ and His mission on earth but make no mistake: you will not do it by accident.
If you want a pure heart, you better be willing to fight for it. You will not keep it any other way.
The first big relief is that we can’t conjure one up on our own. God alone can create in us a pure heart and renew a right spirit within us. (Psalm 51:10) He alone can set it ablaze with holy passion. But out of God’s sovereign wisdom, He determined that guarding the heart He formed and lit within us would, in many ways, fall to us. We’re to own part of that job.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
Our second huge relief is that we can have a pure heart whether or not we have a pure past. Thank You, Jesus. If not, I and many others would be stuck for a lifetime with dark distorted hearts and deformed desires.
There are many other things more effective voices could tell you about guarding your heart toward Christ, toward people He’s sent you to serve and toward His mission on this planet. Ask them and learn from them. My purpose today is to pitch into the mix a couple of things that I’ve learned – and keep learning – in case any of it resonates with you. I also want to pray for you and call others to do the same. Here goes:
*Your heart will cool off if you do nothing to guard it. Jesus warned us in the 24th chapter of Matthew that “because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (V.12) We’re exposed to so much suffering and violence, pain, pretense, and wrongdoing in the world that, even as a defense against feeling so much, we’ll naturally thicken up. I’m certainly not suggesting we be less informed. Uninformed Christians can be a waste of light in the darkness. What I’m suggesting is that, if you want to keep a warm, feeling heart, you better be prepared to fight like mad for it.
*Over time, you can get really cynical. For one thing, cynicism can be really funny so we get drawn to it. It also tends to be cooler. You have to be willing to be one of those that the cynics could make fun of.
*You have to realize that guarding your heart means guarding its willingness to love and be exposed out there where it can get wronged or wounded. A couple of years ago I was researching God’s self-disclosure in Exodus 34:5-7 and stumbled onto something that totally changed the way I looked at guarding my heart. Here’s the segment so you can see it for yourself:
5Ā Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6Ā And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, āThe LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7Ā maintaining love…
See that word “maintaining”? It is a form of the same Hebrew term used in Proverbs 4:23Ā for “guarding” our hearts. In other words, a huge part of guarding my heart is maintaining love. It was a total game changer for me because somehow I had associated guarding my heart with keeping it sheltered. Try to fathom that God actively maintains His love toward us. He guards it. Using that same concept, He calls us to maintain our love toward other people. If I want to stay in love with my husband, for instance, I better actively practice maintaining it because, left to its nature, it will grow cold.
One of the things that God keeps teaching me to do is pray with everything in me and on an ongoing basis to love Jesus more than anything I can see or touch in this human realm. He promises in Scripture to grant us everything we pray in His will and in His name. (1 John 5:14-15)Ā Since His greatest command was that we love (Mark 12:30-31), you can pray for it with absolute confidence that He’s going to do it. In fact, every time you ask God for it, go ahead and thank Him in advance that He’s going to accomplish it. He will. Then when He starts doing it, you start guarding it with all your might.
Ask Him continually to stir fire in your bones for His Word and for His mission. Ask Him to sustain it in you and teach you how to guard it through every inch of your lifespan. Only put up with a sense of spiritual flatness for a matter of days. That’s completely normal. But when it begins to turn into weeks, go face-down on that floor and ask God to give you insight into what seems off and to revive your heart. Don’t just accept coldness. Fight for love.
What is it you want from God? Pray for it feverishly! “Pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts.” That’s what 1 Corinthians 14:1 says.
Also ask others to pray these things over you. That’s what I am hoping this blog post will be about today.
Here’s what I’m asking all of you to do if you’re willing:
*Those of you in your 20’s, tell us at least your first name, where you’re from, and a little bit about you in a comment so that we can personalize our intercessions for you.
*The rest of you choose one of them to pray for (or two, if you have the time), let them know in a reply under their comment that you are adopting them for intercession for the next 14 days. Tell them where you’re from as well. I think they’ll like knowing that, too. As long as every 20-something gets signed-up for, it doesn’t matter if a number of you are praying for the same individual. If they’re like us, they’d be ecstatic to have the extra prayer covering. Pray as you feel led by God but, within that intercession, pray particularly for God to stir up and sustain a holy passion in them for Himself, His mission, and for people on this planet, and that they will be alert and proactive in guarding their hearts to last a lifetime. Ask God forthrightly to deliver them from any area of bondage, strengthen them in temptation, and deliver them from evil. Love them with all your might through prayer.
Let’s partner with this generation and intercede powerfully for them. They are the rising future of the church of Jesus Christ at this tumultuous time on the Kingdom calendar. Let’s pray them out there.
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.Ā 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 ESV
PS. To our regular blog community: I put this in a comment but I’m afraid many of you may not see it.
I am grateful beyond expression for your participation on this post. Please move at the same pace that you see our 20-somethings sign up. In other words, if at our first moderation there are 15 of them, see that all 15 are spoken for then, instead of doubling and tripling up on the same small group, watch for others to be posted and claim those. Assume in about 48 hours that weāll probably have around 80% of the 20-somethings that will end up participating. Still, check every couple of days for about a week to make sure everybody gets covered if you donāt mind. Sisters, this woman right here KNOWS how powerfully you pray. Iāve seen it. Iāve felt it. You are solid gold in the Kingdom of God! Pray for these young people like youād want somebody to pray for your own children, whether or not you have any. Take them on as blood. Pray with faith and holy fire. Pray like the near future of the church depends on Jesus revealing Himself through them. They are so worth it. JESUS is so worth it.
I love you guys madly.
Beth
My name is Alicia. I’m 21 years old, currently a junior in nursing school at UT Austin. I’ve been given a heart for international missions – recently went to Haiti and left my heart there, but I know that it would be a huge sacrifice to serve in a place such as Haiti. I don’t have as much family support as I would like, and although I understand their concern, I want to be obedient to The Lord.
Alicia!
I am a 20 something year old as well, but I saw your post and I wanted to drop you a line because I’m a 21-year-old junior nursing student too! I would love to support you in anyway that I can.. by praying for you, or just being a fellow nursing student across the country in Illinois who gets what you’re going through. Shoot me an email at [email protected] if you’d like! Thinking about you today!
Hi my name is Lydia and I’m from New Brunswick, Canada. I’m 26 years old. I love your post it is really what I need. It’s been a tough year for me and I would cherish your prayers!!! In January I ended my relationship with a man I had been engaged to for 6 months and before that dating for 2.5 years. It has been really tough. He was a really wonderful man who loves God but I just wasn’t feeling like it was what God wanted me to do. I felt he was leading me in another direction, although I don’t know what that is yet… Ending my engagement was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and now I feel so lonely. I just don’t know what to do and I feel so badly because I know I’ve really hurt my fiancĆ© as well. I know I made the decision that God was leading me to make but it is hard not to feel empty and cold. I would appreciate so much to know someone is praying.
Hey Lydia, I’m Carol from Ontario…I’m 51. You got it girl, I’ll be praying for you….prayers that you will know His will and direction for your life and prayers for healing
I’m Lynne, I’m 29 and I’m originally from Northern Ireland but have lived for the past ten years in England. I work as a teacher in a high school and teach French and German. I find it hard to be a good witness for God at the school because, although I love my job, there are real pressures on teachers to get top grades for the students and this causes a lot of stress, complaining and bickering. It can be hard to stand strong in the midst of that. At church I’m on the leadership team, play in the band and lead a young church group (aged 11-14) so my evenings and Sundays can be busy. I pray in the midst of all of this I won’t lose my focus on or fire for God. My boyfriend lives in Belfast so we’re doing the long distance thing which is HARD! I want to honour God in all aspects of my life, including our relationship, but sometimes it feels like I’m living two separate lives and I don’t yet see how they join up! Thanks for this opportunity to be prayed for – I appreciate so much the investment in my life, even though you don’t know me.
Hi Lynne,
I’m an American living in France so I know how hard it is living away from family and friends. I’m happy to pray for you for the next two weeks. Bless you for teaching and being a positive influence on our young people. They have much much thrown at them so it is great to have a Christian woman being a good role model and encouraging them when others would beat them down. I pray you will be strengthened and given a renewed hope and faith, and discover the amazing, incredible power of prayer among Believers!!!!
Hi sisters!
My name is Taylor Wagner and I am 21 years old. I am a senior at Texas Christian University in FW. I am in love with our Savior Jesus Christ and desire nothing more than to prophes His glorious name to all! I am graduating in May with a degree in Child Development and have yet to find a job. I am moving to the Houston area after grad and would love prayer for guidance and direction. I am also in a serious relationship with someone and would really appreciate prayers over our relationship…that in all that we do together we desire to bring honor and glory to God. Thank you! I am so thankful for the desire to reach out to our generation and share your wisdom and love with us! I have been praying for a mentor in Houston when I move and this gives me so much hope!!! May God be glorified!
Love,
Taylor
Hi Taylor-
My name is Melanie and I’m a Texas girl too. I’ll be praying that God opens doors for you and directs you in the way you should go in both your professional and personal life. He will never fail you!
Hey my name is Sara, and I am 23 from Alabama. Pretty intimidated to post on this, but figured it wouldn’t hurt- I could use lots of prayer right now.
I am taking my exit exam for nursing school this Friday. This is my third time to take the test. I’ve come SO incredibly close the past 2 time, but for some reason the Lord is keeping it from me. It has become a mental game now. I’m fighting against satan’s lies that I am not smart enough, not worthy, and that I’ll never get there. So- 9:00 Friday I take it again, and then next weekend I graduate.
Also, I got engaged a little over a month ago. I am thrilled to be marrying the most godly man I know, but it has been hard to celebrate with this test hanging over my head. I want to fully enjoy this season of my life and prepare for marriage, but I’m being pulled away from it to open my books up again.
I would absolutely love prayers. Confidence, faith, patience, discipline, guidance, a quiet heart, joy in the face of my circumstances. Thank you!!
Hi Sara:
I’m a nurse leader in Alabama. Your name and situation jumped out at me. Know that I will be praying for you over the next 14 days. Grab hold of James 1:5 and don’t let go until your exit exam AND boards are taken! Will be praying for you at 9 a.m. On Friday!
Go get ’em!!
Love in Christ!
Hi, my name is Danna and I am 29 and currently living in long island, NY. I am currently a corporate lawyer and for about 8 years I have been serving children and youth in my local church. However, in the last recent years I feel this desire and passion to work with youth in full time ministry. I would love prayer on if this is the way that God would want me to go since I would be making a career change and that this desire will come from a pure love for Jesus and a love for people. I really want to serve people, reach those that are hurting and feel abandoned. I would also like prayer that if this is God’s will that he will open a door or direct me in the way to go in transitioning into ministry full time.
I appreciate all the prayers!!
Hi Danna,
I am praying for you! I KNOW God knows the desires of your heart and He will be so faitful to show you the path to take. Be blessed!!!
Hey! My name is Katelyn and I’m a sophomore at Truett McConnell College in Cleveland, Georgia. This blog was such a blessing and I am thankful in advance for whoever prays for me. I desire so badly to please the Lord in all that I do and to grow closer to Him every minute. I’m so in love with Jesus and I don’t want that fire to diminish at all. I pray to always remain faithful wherever the Lord has me and be sensitive to where He is leading me. I am a psychology major hoping to make an impact in peoples lives and to show the love of Christ in everything I do. Thank you!
I am 24 and recently graduated nursing school and moved 500 miles away from home for a job. Winter has been never ending and there hasn’t been much sunshine. I have been battling loneliness and depression. I need prayer to feel God’s love and pray that he also sends me a man who can truly love me because he loves God more.
Annie :: from Saint Louis, Mo
I’m 28 and whereas I love the Bible and people, I’m afraid that I don’t love Jesus most, and I want to. I’m in a career that is exciting, but doesn’t seem to “fit” with what my heart would desire, but I”m not sure as to what that would even be. What I want more than anything is a family but God doesn’t seem to be doing anything in that direction, so I want to be content. Please pray that God would give me vision and purpose! Thanks!
My name is Emmie and I turned 26 last week. I currently live in Durham, North Carolina.
I work at a residential high school of junior and seniors. I live with 27 girls and try my hardest to encourage them as they focus on their education and as they make decisions about their futures.
Recently (well in the last few years of living and working here), I have been praying for God to open a new door for me. The work environment here is very difficult. The best way to describe it is dark and heavy. I am not free to express my love for Jesus openly and am constantly pressured to agree with situations that are not of God and make me uncomfortable. I know that God has put me here for a time to be a light in the darkness, but recently I have felt that this chapter is close to ending for me. I am praying for direction and would love someone to be in agreement with me. Until that new door opens, I am also praying for joy in the circumstance.
Thanks for praying. This word is spot on.
My name is Rachel and I live in Maryland. I’m 28 and am currently going through many changes in my life. I am single and along my way have struggled with co-dependecy with friendships. I am once again trying to pull myself out of codependency with people but am now trying to do so in a way that does not involve hurting or abandoning others. I struggle with many insecurities but have had a real desire over this past year to start laying them down and fighting to hold to faith and security in Christ. I want to love others well, I want to love God more – faithfully and consistently. I want to use my gifts, my time, and my heart to serve Him in anyway He calls. It is my desire to surrender my life and my heart most fully to Him. To seek comfort, safety, peace, assurance, etc. in Him – not people. I have felt Him lately calling me to difficult things but He has been faithful to provide the strength and comfort to begin the process. I feel on the cusp of something but I can’t see what it could possibly be so I’m just trying to trust Him – be better about praying and being still with Him – so that I can take each step He reveals with a bold heart. In being honest, somedays I feel overwhelmed, somedays I feel alone, much of the time I feel adrift and in all of it I feel like God wants so much more from me and for me. I want to be on fire for Him, I want to fight for a pure heart and a passionate love for Christ. I don’t want the life habits I’ve been so comfortable with. I want new and real and honest. I want Christ all the way, not just an understanding- but a committed heart following. While I desire a husband, a more stable life, etc. my deepest need is a more trusting faith in God and a deeper love for Him. Please pray that I would stand firm in the faith amid many doubts, snares, and temptations. Thank you in advance.
Praying for you Rachel!
hi sisters!
my name is Alexis and I’m 20 years old from orange county, california but am currently living near Boston for school. I’m not quite sure what is up with my heart lately. I feel like I am watching myself doing things and, in that, I have had no time to really sit and reflect on my feelings. My emotions peek out once and a while and I become extremely teary-eyed for reasons I cannot pin-point. I am a Resident Advisor and this year has proven to be quite challenging in all areas so as this school year is wrapping up, I am left with all these emotions that I have accumulated throughout all this year’s happenings. My biggest desire is to follow Christ and that has proven to be hard, to go to the places he has called me, it is hard but it has had its many blessings and joys throughout,in which I am SO thankful for. Also, I am struggling with things such as growing in my identity – growing pains, I suppose. So here I am, not really sure what I’m feeling or whom I am becoming, however, I know it must be something good because I feel the hand of God on me. I would LOVE your prayers, please.
I live in Texas and just turned 29. I have always felt a call to ministry on my life and had pursued that call wholeheartedly for the last decade. After completing my seminary degree, I got a job as a full time minister at a beloved church where I had served as a volunteer for the previous six years. Just over a year later, I was discouraged, disillusioned, and disheartened. The church leadership didn’t believe my report of being harassed on a regular basis by my immediate boss. I was excluded and slandered. It’s been two years and I’m still healing. I still love God, but I don’t know if my heart will ever be the same–much less if I’ll ever work in vocational ministry again. Prayers are appreciated.
Such a great reminder to be praying for these gals and ourselves to be guarding our hearts.
7 “maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.ā
This verse is about God maintaining His love to thousands…forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
How do we “maintain love” to guard our hearts? I’m not seeing the connection in this specific Scripture.
Thanks!
My name is Kathleen Palmer, and I am a junior at Auburn University. I am 21 years old. I would love some prayer for peace that I am where the Lord wants me, especially in regards to my major. I am a Communication Disorders major, and some days its hard to remember why I felt called to it when all I’m doing is studying. I really would appreciate any prayer that you feel led to pray for me!
Praying for you Kathleen Palmer!!
Kathleen,
Your comment is the first I read and I honestly didn’t need to go any further. I feel called to pray for you, sweet friend. My name is Amy Sullins. I’m married to a Worship Pastor and have three cute kiddos. š We live in Gadsden, AL, where we also serve on staff. I know those days. I remember them well and still have those days! I will be praying for you!
If you are on twitter, please find me (@amysullins). I’d love to speak a word of encouragement to you as I pray for peace for you.
Much love from the Sullins (and War Eagle! š
Amy
Hi Kathleen,
I am a graduate of Auburn University. I will be praying for you for the next 14 days. May God give you peace and confidence in his calling on your life.
War Eagle,
Tisha
Hi, my name is Lara and I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I would love to pray for you!! I am a married mum of 4 kids ( a 7 year old girl, and boys aged 6, 3 and 1.). I pray you find your passion again, or God firmly directs your passion elsewhere. My 3 year old is working with someone on his speech – nothing serious – but I know firsthand you can impact many in this field, or in any field when God directs your path!
I know God led me to pray for you, Kathleen. I live in Odessa, TX, but
I’m from Starkville, MS and a 1975 MSU graduate! I know we can work
past that BIG difference and I’ll keep you bathed in prayer:). Janet Worthy
Kathleen,
Even though I am a Bama fan, I would love to pray for you.
Hi! My name is Christie Ray. I’m 23 and live in New York City. I’m working at a marketing agency and would love prayer that the Lord would use me and other believers at the agency and in the city to make his name famous in an environment where people are seeking meaning and life through other paths and are desperately in need of God’s grace and truth!
Christie–
I love your desire to be used by God to help others who are seeking. I live in a small town in Southeast Missouri and have never been to New York City. A trip to New York is on my “bucket list”. Please know I will be praying for you in your daily life. He is so faithful dear one.
My name is Tracy Leigh and though I’m closer to the end of being a twenty something I am in fact still in that group. I’m from a tiny town in NE Missouri where I teach Kindergarten. This post jumped out to me because I fear that being passionately in love with Jesus will be a passing phase in my life.
Susan, 27 years old, living in Alabama. I’m working for my university in a job that I love! I am able to disciple college girls, spend time with other Christian 20-somethings, be involved at Church and in international ministry. I do get burned out, though, from being constantly on the go. Spending time with the Lord is a struggle, as well as deeply knowing the truth in a liberal work environment. I feel that I fail often to be a light in a fast-paced workplace, and I falter in my trust of the Lord with being single. I covet your prayers!!
My name is Erin, and I live in Evant, Texas, about 70 miles west of Waco. I am a 28 year old mommy to a one year old little boy and have another on the way. My husband and I are starting a new business and we want to love and serve God with all of our heart. We want to be tuned into him during this busy season and see Him work in our lives and use us to work in others lives. Thank you for praying for us.
My name is Serena. I’m 25 and I’m from Cincinnati OH. I feel like I just had my first glimpse of God recently even though I’ve grown up in the church. I finally feel true love and true compassion for people. I’m so happy. I feel like I’ve been blind all these years. I want to do something so badly. I’m grateful for this post because I’m so afraid of losing the passion I now feel. I don’t want to lose it before I can be used.
Praying for you Serena! That God will open a door for you to serve him and that you will never grow weary of seeking him!
I’m 23 years old from Pierre, South Dakota, but currently reside in Vermillion, SD where I attend college at USD.
A little about myself, after I graduated high school I interned at the Los Angeles Dream Center. My mom ended up being diagnosed with cancer so I moved back home. She died last year so life has been hard, but God has been more than faithful! I’ve always felt the call of God on my life. I think this blog is an absolutely brilliant entity and I can’t wait to see God move through it! Thank you to whom ever prays over my life. So appreciated!
Kathryn,
Praying over your life. For continues peace and courage and that you would feel the call of God in clear and direct ways. I pray that you would be diligent in seeking Him and that He would be faithful, as always. Blessings to you!
Erin
Hi, I am Sarah, a 20 something in need of more of the Lord. Seeking after his direction and trying to die to myself daily. Trying to exalt Jesus in a place he hasn’t ever been before. Pray against spiritual attack, for more of the Holy Spirit, for a greater belief and a heart that breaks for his people. Thank you!
21 years old.
Student at University of Missouri – Columbia.
Taking the MCAT on Friday and feel a calling to do medical missions with my life, but I am really struggling with studying for the test and am very worried that I won’t get into medical school.
Single. Putting my hope in God DAILY that He will provide a man after His own heart at the right time.
Trying to transfer knowledge that I have of God and the Bible from my brain to my heart. This is no easy task.
My name is Katherine and I am 26. I live in beautiful Savannah, GA with my sweet husband. We moved here almost two years ago and we love it. However, I am feeling a little disconnected from God. I see Him moving in my church and in those around me but I don’t see Him shaping and molding me. I miss that intimacy and feeling like my life was purposeful and powerful in Christ. I want to be on fire like I have been before and I want to serve Him boldly I just feel confused where to go and scared to step out in faith.
From a fellow Kathryn in Liverpool, England. I so know how you feel! And will therefore pray for you too! Be encouraged however, that often while we are busy seeing the people around us changing, God is doing a work in our own lives too that we just don’t see!
The very fact you want to see Him work means He is at work!
God bless
kate
@mossysmrs on twitter š
I will be honored to pray for you. I can completely identify with your struggle. Much love you my sister in Christ!
I’m Katie, mid-twenties, from the Midwest. Please pray for me for the conviction to carry out God’s will fearlessly in my life. Specifically, help me to give CONTROL to the Father, while participating in His grace as it continues to transform my heart.
I am single, and working- but my career path is still being worked out- I know God is continuing to lead me to where he truly wants me to be serving Him. Help me to enjoy the process of where God is leading me. Please pray that as I make decisions in these “big” areas to come, God would ultimately be glorified and I would be satisfied in Him no matter what the occupation or relationship status.
Beth’s material has helped me to grow in my faith, I pray that as I am sanctified my heart would turn from selfishness and be free to love as Beth described above.
Blessings to whoever reads this, please continue to pray for my generation, and thank you for going before us as godly women shining lights as examples!
Love,
Katie
I’m Miranda!!
I’m a 20-something LSU Tiger!
Currently preparing for a summer of job-shadowing for Med School, lots of travel, and being a summer camp counselor!
Life is so exciting right now, but I always always need Jesus to walk with me.
Hello!
My name is Hayley and I am 21 year old in the St. Louis area! I am currently an Assistant Director of Student Ministries at a church in Chesterfield. Also, I am attending Lindenwood University—getting my degree in Christian Ministry Studies and Psychology.
I am lacking in a strong community of believers that are around my age and in my season in life. Everyone around me are in serious relationships, engaged, or married. I have a lot of older women in my life, and a lot of younger women to pour into—but not a lot of girls my age. I get burnt out very quickly. I just desire to live with a pure heart and a pure life—trying to fight away temptations in my past and live in the freedom that Christ bought for me.
Hey, Hayley! God prompted me to choose you, and I will be praying fervently for you! I trust God will pour into you and speak his presence and provision into you in nourishing ways. I live in central Illinois, so I’m not all that far away from you! Contact me directly on Twitter at @susanhlawrence or through my website. Blessings, my newly adopted daughter! (Okay, so I’d have been a teen when you were born…but it’s possible!) š
Praying for you, Hayley! I used to live in St. Louis and went to grad school in Chesterfield. Woot woot! š I’m a single girl now, but loved my years in St. Louis! May He keep fanning the flame in your heart so you keep living for Jesus! Go, girl!
Lol, insert “in Pennsyltucky” after “single girl now” and that sentence will make more sense then! Good ol spell check deletes. š
Hayley, I would love to pray for you. I am married, but often find myself in the same situation as you what you described as not having many friends. I suppose it is just the season of life I am in with two children and a full time job. I love to pray for other people and being raised in the ministry, my dad was a preacher my whole life, I understand the struggles.
I will be praying for you!
Hi Hayley!
My name is Beka, and I would love to pray for you. I’m 27 so I’m in the 20s that are being prayed for, but your story resonates with me and I would love to pray for you over the next 14 days. Hopefully you will have an older woman sign up to pray for you as well. š
I’m single and have often been in that place where it seems like everyone around you is in a relationship or married. Your heart gets restless and longs for a relationship or for single people your age to share life with, who will encourage you in your ministry and in your relationship with the Lord. I want to encourage you that God is so faithful in this area, not only to provide community but to use this time to draw you to Himself. Times of loneliness have been some of the most painful seasons of my life, filled with many temptations, but they have also been the seasons when I have developed a sweet closeness with the Lord that I treasure now. Praying the same will be true for you.
My name is Jessica and I am a college student in MS. My spiritual fire has lost it’s spark and prayers are much appreciated and needed! Thanks in advance.
Jessica,
As I was scrolling thru the comments yours flew into my heart.
I’m 34, live in Tx, been married 16 yrs, have a 14 yr old son & am a children’s pastor.
Please know you are being prayed for daily. Our sweet Savior is wonderfully faithful & loves to renew & redeem. Praying that He will meet you where you are, surround you in His love & pour out His grace in your life.
Always Love,
Sherry
Hello! My name is Hannah and I am from West Virginia. I am 21 years old and graduating from nursing school in December. Oh what a scary feeling that is to imagine being a ‘grown up’ in less than a year’s time! Age is only a number, right?!? Anyways, my prayer is that I can be humbly obedient to the word of God and to discern my own plans from his will for my life. I know that can be hard for all of us at times but especially in this season of waiting to see what the future holds. I have experienced the Lord’s sovereignty and I KNOW he is good, always (: Thank you for the prayers
Hebrews 12:1-3
”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Hi, everyone!
My name is Kellye š
I’m originally from Virginia and have recently made the move to Knoxville, TN almost a year ago. Gosh, being a young woman and following Jesus is hard, but I desire nothing more than to serve and love my dear Father and the individuals He has placed in my life.
I’m passionate about connecting with people and have a desire to work with young women in some way, but I’m not sure what that looks like. I DO have a dream though, one that is both exciting and terrifying and one that I haven’t really shared with anyone (GULP), but here’s a snapshot — Young (college-aged) women of different backgrounds, experiences and races coming together, sharing with each other and maturing alongside of one another – not just in college but for the rest of their lives. I’m already praying for and about this, but I have no idea when and how it would begin.
Thanks for praying, ladies! There’s nothing I appreciate more than older women caring for those of us coming along behind you.
Kellye, please check out my precious friend, Nancy Hamilton. She just moved to Shoreline Church in Knoxville & they are all about some ministry to women! praying for you! (oh – & I’m a 49-yr-old from Arkadelphia AR.) š
Kellye! I’d love to connect with you! I’ve led women’s ministry for over 10 years & have a heart for discipling young women. I’m at Shoreline Church in west Knoxville & we are beginning to do some things for & with women in our church! I’d love to get to know you & encourage you! My sister-if God has put a dream in your heart-he is faithful to complete it! I’d love to connect w/you to let you know what God is doing here in Knoxville. Know that I will be praying alongside my sweet AR friend Tracey that God would lead & guide you. He’s so faithful!
[email protected]
22 and I’m searching for direction in my life. Also having personal problems with addiction
Hi Bee! I’m Cindy and I live in South Carolina. I was drawn to you and want you to know how much God loves you! He does have an amazing plan for your life; a plan to prosper you and not to harm you! (Jeremiah 29:11-13) He’s the one who holds the blueprint for your life, so you came to the right place to find the answers you are looking for. I want you to know that I am praying for you; I am praying for God to break the hold these addictions have on you. As you submit yourself to Jesus, He will set you free to live as He has created you to live. I love you, my daughter, and so does your heavenly Father!
Bee, I searched for a girl that struck me and you stood out to me. I will pray for you for the following 14 days and longer if you would like. You can find me on twitter or email at [email protected]
Love in Christ,
Nicole
Hi, I am Danielle, a 22 year old from Texas. I am about to graduate college in a couple of weeks and will start medical school at the end of July. Please pray that I will keep God as the focus as I make the transition from college to medical school.
My name is Sarah B. and I am a 24 yr old from Southern California. I graduated college a few years ago and am currently working for a publishing company.
While I would appreciate any prayers I would specifically ask for prayers of guidance and wisdom as I feel that I am ready to move on from my job and am feeling restless. Pray for continued passion and love for Him and His people, wherever He may lead me. Prayers for family and financial situations are such a blessing as well. I so much want to share Jesus with this hurting world, what a blessing this post is!
Hello,
I am Karen, 26, from Louisiana. I had a wonderful job in Communications and have really seen God’s hand lead me in my career. Although I was raised in church and even went to a Christian college, I found myself going through the motions rather than developing a relationship with Him. I’d appreciate prayer in two areas: I am single and never wouldāve imagined myself unmarried at 26. It is so hard to keep faith and not take the easy way out. I am blessed to have not married the wrong person but am praying the right man would come SOON. Pray for my faith to grow and for an answer to this prayer. Secondly, pray Jesus would show Himself to me in an undeniable way. I want to experience His presence so desperately. Thank you this opportunity to join together and pray for each other. What an encouragement!
Hi Karen.
I’m Stephanie and I am praying for you! I understand your situation; I was 29 and 3/4 when I finally got married. My husband and I now have two beautiful children and have been married for almost ten years! Looking back, there is no way I could have ever dreamed what God had in store for me. 1 Corinthians 2:9 – “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” I will pray that you will choose to prioritize God and follow His promptings. He has something wild and great planned for you!
Thanks Stephanie! I appreciate you sharing and your prayers. And I love that you included 3/4. š Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks again.
My name is Sarah Grace. I’m 22, and I’m from Mississippi. I’m currently a nanny but will be moving to Atlanta in September to do urban missions for a year through an organization called Mission Year! When thinking about what I wanted to be prayed over me, these lyrics came to mind: “Give me one pure and holy passion, Give me one magnificent obsession, Give me one glorious ambition for my life to know and follow hard after You.” Thank you for your prayers!
Sarah Grace, It would be my pleasure to lift you up in prayer to the father! I love the song you mentioned, it’s been one of my favorite for many years! It’s what caught my attention when I was reading through the posts.
I will start now!
Father I lift Sarah Grace up to you and ask you Lord to watch over her, protect her! Use her for your glory Lord! I pray that she will love you more tonight than she does this morning and more tomorrow morning than she does this evening. Lord as she fans into flame the gifts you have given her, may her passion for you only grow! I pray father you will use Sarah Grace to change Atlanta and Atlanta to make Sarah Grace more like your son. Thank you Lord for her desire to serve you, to love you, to pursue you! I pray you will give her one pure and Holy passion – to know and follow after you. Thank you Lord! In your sons holy and precious name! Amen!
God bless you Sarah Grace!
Hi! I’m Ann, and I’m 22 & live in Kingwood, Texas. Currently, I work for a church in the Houston area, alongside my soon to be husband! After a 3 year long distance relationship, I finally moved from Dallas this past fall, following graduation.
Please pray for blessings over our marriage and our ministry together. We were engaged this past November, and shortly after my Grandma was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She went to be with our Lord in February, which was very difficult for my family to process. My fiance & I have only just now set a date and started planning.
I am so thankful for where we are serving. My hope is that we do not grow weary of the ministries the Lord has entrusted to us. Please pray for both my fiance & I to keep seeking His direction for us. He gives the strength to complete the tasks He gives to us. Pray that we embrace His strength on a daily basis, instead of relying on our own efforts. Thank you so much. š
Hello! I’m 21, living in Texas. I’m currently in this period of waiting with a longing to be “out”. If that makes sense! I’m in school at a community college and waiting to see where I’ll end up and graduate from. Which makes me anxious not knowing what the next door will be that opens up. I’m excited for the next chapter though I don’t know where it leads. I’m moving home this summer and I’m excited to start serving high school girls in our church ministry. Thank you for the prayers!
Hi,
I’m Heather… I’m 24 from Philadelphia. I’m a Kindergarten teacher in the city! I would so appreciate prayers to be on fire for God in a new and fresh way!
Hi Heather…I’m Suzanne from Virginia. I lived in the Philadelphia area for over 30 years and your comment jumped out at me. I would love to pray for you for the next 14 days.
Hi! My name is Katelyn. I’m 23 years old. I am in full time ministry in a small town in south Georgia. I love my church and love every minute of the work I get to do. I work as the administrator (handling finances,HR, etc) and have the privilege of being the assistant to our senior pastor. On top of that, I am taking seminary classes with Liberty. Itās a lot to handle at one time, but I know God called me here. One of the verses God gave me a couple of years ago is Pslam 68:6: God sets the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. I feel like God gave me a family through my church and the people I work with. I cannot imagine being anywhere else. Most of the time, I donāt even think about how young I am to be in full time ministry, other times I get a little overwhelmed and feel āout of my league.ā My journey with God has never been āformula.ā I feel like he is calling me to a life of singleness in order to continue serving him completely. Thatās a hard and crazy realization for a 20-something girl! I am excited about everything God continues to do in and through me. Pray that I can continue strong and finish well. Thank you!
Hey Katelyn, I’m Mary. I’m adopting you. You are one of the bravest 20 something’s ever. For you to be in full time service and giving your life to God is wonderful. I will be praying for you and copying and pasting your info into my prayer journal. I will lift you up to our Savior who will keep you in His arms. I’m a retired pastor’s wife. When we left full time service I started a blog to encourage Christians in their walk. This allows me to continue to teach the wonders of His love. It’s http://www.grammygrace.wordpress.com. May God continue to bless you as He raises up the next generation.
Mary,
Thank you! I am so excited to read your blog! I also have one that I just keep to share things that God has been showing me- http://www.empty-jars.blogspot.com
It means so much to know that you are praying for me!
Hi, I am Taylor Henry!
Currently a sophomore at Louisiana State University studying child and family studies! I am asking for prayer for the next 4 months. I am ending my school semester here at LSU in a few weeks and will move to Haiti to live in an orphanage and intern! I currently have a plane flight booked through donated frequent flier miles but am fundraising the rest of the money to pay for my stay in Haiti for two months. Please pray that the Lord guides my funding completely for the remaining 2000 dollars in funding so that I may go and fill his plan in Haiti. Also please pray for safety for myself and security for my family (Mom, Dad, & Brother) who are non believers and are having a hard time coping with my leaving after being gone all year for school.
Thank you in advance for your prayers!
I so dearly covet them!
-Taylor M Henry
Hey Taylor, My name is Nachbi I’m 22 and live in Long Island, NY. My parents are from Haiti and I will definitely pray for you on your missions trip and also for your family. I also have family members who are non believers who sometimes can’t comprehend when young adults like ourselves have a heart to please God. I’m praying for you.
Hi! My name is Angela and I’m 28. I currently live in NC with my husband who’s in the military but we are from VA. I was saved as a young girl but hadn’t experienced the fire of the Holy Spirit until after graduating college. About a year after, my life began to fall apart and I went through some of the darkest, loneliest seasons but God was healing me through it all, I just didn’t realize it at the time. I’ve been doing the Breaking Free study and I’m finally feeling a freedom that I’ve always heard about, but had not experienced because of my need to be in control and my lack of trust in God over my life. I don’t know what God has in store for me yet, but his Spirit is jumping inside of me with a heart that breaks over the lost and broken in our world. I don’t know where I fit into to all of this except for being a prayer warrior right now. I don’t want to lose my passion this time because I know God’s plans are so much greater than mine and I know we have a world of people in need of his love. My prayer is to be attentive and obedient to his calling.
I’m Amanda from Lexington, Kentucky.
I’m 25 years old and just started my first “big girl” job. Currently, I just started attending a new church and would love prayers as to how I can serve at the church. I would appreciate prayers for connection to young women that I can connect and grow with. Also, prayers for a heart that loves Jesus more than anything else.
Thanks!
Dear Amanda,
I’m Mary. I live in somerset. My daughter-in-law and son live in Lex. I guess that’s why I saw your post. I will be praying for you daily and often. May our Savior show you who He is in a real and mighty way. I have a blog where I post short encouragement. It’s
http://www.grammygrace.wordpress.com.
Praying God blesses you
Mary,
Thanks so much for the prayers. I appreciate your encouragement. Also, I checked out your blog. It is great! Thank you again for the prayers and encouragement
I think u need adopting. So I’m copying and pasting your prayer request into my prayer journal. I will keep u close to my heart and the heart of our Savior
Hi Amanda! My name is Cathy and I live in London, Ky and I want you to know that I will be praying for you.
Cathy,
Thank you so much praying for me and allowing God to use you. I am encouraged more than you will ever know!
Hello,
I am Sarah and I am a 23 year old from Southern California. I’m a year out of college in may. I went to a baptist college with 3000 college students who love the Lord and I am now working in Orange County in a fancy building with people who worship and breath money.
I am attending a wonderful church filled with amazing people who constantly desire to serve Christ with their lives. I live with a wonderful roommate whom I went to college with and who also loves The Lord. And I am dating a wonderful man who is constantly growing and challenging me to grow as well.
Areas I need prayer:
-Contentment and perseverance in my job. That I would be a light to my many coworkers who don’t know Christ. That I would realize that this is the ministry that God has me in right now and to be thankful for the opportunities I am able to have.
-that I wouldn’t become complacent in my relationship with my roommate. That we would continue to spur each other on to love and good deeds.
– that my boyfriend and I would continue to stay pure and continue to battle the war that is sexual purity. That we would rest in God’s grace…and that we’d get married sooner rather than later. That details for that would come together. That we would always outdo each other in showing one another honor and love. That we would have a ministry outside ourselves.
-that year 23 would be a year of continued growth and understanding of God and his goodness for me. That I would continue to fight sin and would fall more and more in love with Christ.
This post was so encourging to read – life is hard. Life without god is especially hard. Thank you in advance for those who have taken time to pray for me and the people I come in contact with daily!!! Wow – I am humbled!!
Sarah – your name caught my eye because my daughter’s name is also Sarah.
I will be in prayer for you. I’m printing out your requests and will keep them with me.
The Lord bless you and keep you and make His beautiful face shine upon you and keep you safe.
With much love in Jesus,
Beth
sarah!
I’m from the OC too! totally understand your struggles & requests. Praying for you sister!
“see, I am doing a new thing!
now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert & streams in the wasteland.” // Isaiah 43:19
{one of my favorites lately, hope this is encouraging and hopeful for you!}
love,
Alexis
Thank you for this! My name is Brittany from Tennessee. I’m 28 and a stay at home, homeschooling mom to two girls. I’m desperate to raise them without the emotional baggage I grew up with (and am still dealing with) I want to be passionate for Christ and find where He wants me in this season and raise my children to be passionate for Him.
Brittany, I am honored to pray for you for the next 14 days, beginning now, and I am from TN, too!
If you don’t already have someone to pray for you I would be humbled and blessed to do so.
hi Brittany!I’m Jenny from Indiana! I’m praying for you! I’m 32 and a stay at home mom and a soon to be homeschooling mom as well! I understand exactly where you are coming from and will keep you in my prayers!
Hello:)
My name is Traci (obviously;)), I am a Kansas girl through and through, and I am just a couple weeks short of turning 21. I “stumbled” upon this blog post through Beth Moore’s Twitter..though I’m going to say that I don’t really believe I stumbled upon it at all. I haven’t really been on Twitter much for a long time but I believe that God prompted me to open it up today and see what was happening. I am so glad He did, too, for I have been struggling mightily these last few weeks and can definitely use all the prayer I can get. I have a lot of relationship issues going on right now, and have been just really really struggling to learn contentment with where God has me r.i.g.h.t. n.o.w. in my life, not where I’m headed or where I would like to be. I have to make the concious choice every single day, some days it seems in each moment, to be thankful for what He blesses me with and to smile in spite of the pain of my current circumstances. All of that to say, I could definitely use some prayer if anyone wants to take on that job. š I’ll be praying generally for all who have signed up both for prayer and to pray – I know God is going to do mighty things in each of us these coming days as we uphold one another before His throne!!
Blessings to each one of you.
Love in Jesus,
Traci
Hi! My name is Whitney and I’m a 22 year old senior in college. I graduate in a week and a half from the University of Nebraska Medical Center-College of Nursing.
I am taking a job in Virginia for the summer as a camp nurse at a Christian kids camp. I’m so stoked to serve kids and serve Jesus all summer!
That being said, I’m very nervous for what comes after that. There are some circumstances in my life that are not quite clear, and I’m struggling to know what God’s will is for me. At this point, I’m just continuing to move forward knowing that as I take steps, He will direct me. He can’t direct me if I’m sitting still.
I would love prayer for knowing where I will be going after the summer, and prayer that a job would open up for me.
I want to be able to “maintain” a fiery heart for Jesus, but it can be so discouraging at times. Pray for my heart, that I wouldn’t get caught up in what I think is best, and focus on God’s best for me. Also please pray that I would guard my heart as I make major decisions and begin a new period in my life!
Thank you so much to whoever prays for me! I couldn’t be more excited about this.
My name is Heather and I am actually just stepping into the twenties this coming Sunday! I am a sophomore in college living in Austin Texas (hook em!). I just underwent a major change from Speech Pathology to something that will help do what in passionate about: work for adoption agencies. I’m a little nervous about this change but I know our God is oh so faithful. Recently I’ve been struggling with what next steps the Lord is asking me to take. This semester my heart has been yet again wrecked by the gospel and the desire to abandon all else for his sake. I’m not exactly sure what specifics this means where I am right now and am seeking his guidance and the peace he promises. Currently I’m feeling heavy and burdened which I know is not what Christ has for me. So I am praying and hoping for Him to reveal the next step for my journey and that he will restore my soul.
I’m Becca, 20 years old from KY! I recently transferred schools and am struggling with finding Christian community and friends in my new city. I’m also finding myself not desiring God or wanting to spend time with Him. I’d love prayers for God to draw me back to Him and provide me with encouraging community!
Hi Becca! Your post stood out because I’m from Kentucky too! I will be praying for you as you’re going through this season of transition in your life. I understand the difficulty in moving to a new a place and trying to get connected into the community and a church. I pray that God’s love for you will be so real in life and that you will run to him, daily. If you ever want to get in touch, I blog at runningonfaithandsugar.com ! I will be praying for you!
My name is Megan. I live in Orlando, FL. I have two children. We are in a very transitional time in our lives. My husband filed for divorce in January and since then I have been job searching and attending a new church. We were youth pastors and I have lost my church, youth group and connections in the area. My family is nine hours away and I cannot relocate with my children, without the ruling of a judge.
Your teachings have ministered to me greatly during this time, Beth. Thanks for all you do!
Hi Megan,
Praying for you in the midst of heartbreak and transition. May God grant you the peace and direction your soul is searching for. May He remind you daily of his never ending love for you. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10.
Hi there! This is such an amazing idea!
I’m Faith, a 22 year-old college senior and film major at New Mexico State University! I’m graduating in 3 weeks (eek) and am crazy pumped for what God has in store! My post-grad plans are to work as part-time staff with a college ministry here at NMSU called Cru (used to be called Campus Crusade for Christ). I will also be working for my church as the media director and may have a job as a ghost writer for my dad who is also a writer.
My dreams are to be a Young Adult fiction writer, screenwriter, songwriter, and evangelist. It’s a lot, I know. But I really long to travel the world and minister to middle and high school girls through writing and preaching. I have no idea what’s going to happen but it’s incredibly encouraging to know there are girls just like me, struggling to figure out their lives.