**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:
5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love…
See that word “maintaining”? It is a form of the same Hebrew term used in Proverbs 4:23 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) 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. 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 we’ll 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 don’t mind. Sisters, this woman right here KNOWS how powerfully you pray. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it. You are solid gold in the Kingdom of God! Pray for these young people like you’d 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
Hi! My name is Annie & I live in Jefferson City, TN. I have spent the past 2 years working for YoungLife, a non-profit ministry for high school kids. I stayed in the small town that my college was in & have run hard after some friends at the local high school, just living life with them & always trying to point them towards Christ. I am leaving YL staff, but am sticking around as a volunteer leader. Someone recently said to me “sometimes you have to have a job so that you can follow your calling”. I know that Christ has called me to be in the lives of the high school kids in this area, so now I have to find a way to stay here. A way that hopefully means a full time job! I love these kids too much to look other places, but the job market here is very limited. More than anything, I want to follow my calling, so prayer for a way to make that possible are greatly appreciated. Reading these other entries has been so inspiring & makes the world seem a little smaller & definitely very hopeful. Thank you Beth!
Hi Annie,
I’m enjoying reading all of the entries too, and i just read yours and wanted you to know that i will pray for you over the next 14 days. May God bless you as you are looking for a job with your HS kids and in every area of your life! i sometimes watch kelly and michael and this week they are having teachers who have been chosen to win awards for the job they do. The teacher today went to the same HS that he teaches at, he really wanted to ‘give back’ right in his own school. (he also won a trip to Rome!) God is on your side..shoot for the stars, and keep up the awesome work that you do.
love in Christ,
Rhonda
My name is Kasey and I’m 24 and from South Florida. I’ve been working as a student minister for over 4 years at a local church. I majored in ministry in college and have felt a calling to serve in this capacity since I was 17. Recently, I have encountered some hard times. I live on my own and away from my family and have had most of my closest girl friends move away. I’ve been struggling with loneliness lately and could really use some comfort from the Lord during this time.
Hi there, I’m not sure if this is meant for ladies only, but I’d really appreciate prayer like this. I want to love God above all else, and be moved by His love for me. I’m only 19 also. But if anyone would like to pray for me, that’d be great. Thank you, and may God bless everyone of you.
My name is Chandler Mims. I am 22 and I am from Mississippi. I am about to make a transition and start nursing school. Please pray for me as I begin on this new journey. I know this is God’s plan for me but I pray for direction and guidance as I begin nursing school. Also, please pray that I can grow in my relationship with the Lord. I hope that I can grow deeper in my faith and develop a stronger relationship with the Lord. Thank you!
I’m fresh into my 30’s. But, I’m still dealing with some of the problems of 20-somethings as I had a late start in life. I was abused, and had some developmental issues to work toward before I got a good start in life, and was able to move forward.
College was the best time for me. I felt free. However, since college ended…I’m struggling. I feel like for the last few years, since I graduated from college…I’ve been living this life that is killing my idealism, and who I was created to be. My spark that I had in college is gone. I feel like as I left college the world, and it’s expectations put chains on my spirit that wouldn’t lift.
Stepping out as an “adult”–I’ve noticed that sometimes everything (seemingly) is about competition, materialism, and who can climb the ladder the quickest. I don’t value any of those things. But, I find myself gravitating toward them so I can fit in post-college. I find that it can be a very lonely life if you stick to who you are in Christ.
There is some positive to all of this transition madness…My entire life I’ve been driven by fear as I was abused as a child. God is slowly lifting my fear. I didn’t use my talents for so many years because of fear. Now, I’m using my talents as a worship leader in my church. I find that after many years of training in music God is helping me to find my new voice…one that trusts HIM.
My name is Ashley. I’m 26 and I have an energetic 3yr. old, 1 yr. old, and another one on the way. My husband and I want to raise our children to know the true and living God and would appreciate prayers for wisdom and strength and He builds our family.
Hi, Ashley! I’m Amy. I live in California now but this summer we’re moving to Missouri. I’d love to pray for you. My kids are 13, 12, and 10 now, but it wasn’t very long ago that I was in your season. I’ll pray for your endurance, joy, discernment, and contentment. I’ll pray that your sweet little ones will have minds to know God and hearts to love Him more. I’ll pray that you’ll have the discipline and desire to spend time with Your Father–to have quiet moments alone with Him. I’ll pray for your marriage, too, that you’ll only have eyes for one another, that you’ll “guard your hearts and maintain love for one another” :), and that you’ll parent your kids with grace and truth. Your name is going in my prayer journal and on my computer monitor, sister, and I’ll be praying for you!
Wow is this post timely. Thank You God! Needed every word. I’m Stacey – just about to turn 25 – I am in my first year of teaching middle school! I don’t want to be satisfied with or love anything more than Jesus. I want nothing but a pure heart – have not been thinking it was a fight- been taking a pretty passive role in it. I don’t want to stay comfortable with spiritual flatness. I want to love people so much more than I do.
Hi Beth! I can’t believe the perfect timing of this post! I’m so grateful for you.
My name is Aarika and I am 22, graduating from the University of Kentucky in 2 weeks!!!! Holy cow! I have spent the past 16 weeks student teaching at a middle school, loving and leading students. It is also the privelidge of my life to serve as an assistant to a pastor at my church. Turns out Jesus had given me great gifts of influence, encouragement and to be a visionary for His nexts… At 22 who gets to have a hand to influencing leadership at their church! Go Jesus for your favor!
I took a huge dip the past 2 months and fell for the enemy’s lies that the influential, on-fire-passionate life was intimidating and that I should play safe. And by play safe, i actually think he had me playing HURT. I was shut down in fear of failure, fear of risk, fear of exposure of the sin that this pulled me into and even a fear of actually accomplishing what God had laid on my heart. Who I am in Christ and who he has called me to love is CRYSTAL CLEAR… My heart just got murky. Over the past few weeks I got to (like your post says) fight for my passion .. Fight for love. I fought for Jesus to show me his faithfulness and begged him to show me why I – me, Aarika – mattered in the equation.
In the past week Jesus has made it so clear that he will give my victory and that he longs for my ready yes to his bigger plans. He reminded me how he gave me a firey, passionate heart to see his Kingdom flourish and how he wants to use me to populate Heaven and put hell out of business. He prompted me to pray for integrity, purity and honor- in me and for him and those around me. He prompted me ask him where my joy was hidden each day and how he wanted me to use it to honor and love and lead those around me – from underprivelidged 6th graders, to the Elders at my church, to my Jewish roommate and to myself.
What my generation needs isn’t more promises or more call-ups. We need people who mean it and who have seen it. People who will speak Truth so that Jesus is SO clear that we beg him to let us follow him into high-risk out-of-the-boat stormy waters. My generation wants to be used for Gods good purposes, I just know it.
Thanks for the honest warning about cooled-off hearts. And those of you who thing that would never happen to me …. I said it too. Beg for truth. Pray for me! (:
I’m Katie. I am from Greenville, SC. I just turned 21 a few months ago. I am just finishing up my junior year in college. The next couple of months I am having to really research grad schools and figure out what life is going to be like this time next year when I am getting ready to graduate. The last couple of months I have been really struggling with some sin issues. Thankfully the past couple of weeks have been very healing. God is so good to me. I need to keep finding my satisfaction in Christ and not look to other people or sins for that.
Hey Katie! I’m Charise, 23, and I live in the Greenville, SC area too! I will definitely be praying for you to have guidance in the coming months about where to go next and for strength from The Lord to stay strong in your faith. If you ever need anything, feel free to email me at [email protected] 🙂
Hello! My name is Taylor and in 24 years old. I live in Valencia California. I came to The Lord about a year and half ago and I’m so thankful. He has really changed my life. Currently I am in school full time and working two jobs. I want to love Jesus with all of my being and sometimes I find that hard. I don’t even know where to start. I want to love Him more than I’ve ever loved anything in my life. I want a pure heart that is devoted to Him. Thank you for your prayers and that you Beth Moore for starting this.
Hi my name is Chelsea and I’m from Brooksville, Fl. I’m 23 and I’m living with an elderly lady from my church during the week and with my parents on the weekends. I watch her during the week at nights cause she’s not use to being alone since her husband went into a rehabilitation center. I’m currently taking a break from finishing up my college degree to become a therapist so I can take care of my health and get better. I’ve had to go in and out of treatment facilities for an ED. I’ve been struggling recently with my relationship with Christ because I’ve been having old memories of past sexual abuse come back up and I feel like its his fault for not stopping it all those years.
My name is Alexandra (Alex), and I’m 26 years old. I live in Houston, Texas. Currently, I am a student at UHD pursuing my BAIS (Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies). In the fall, I will student teach and then graduate in December. I would greatly appreciate prayers for a pure and fiery heart towards Christ, guidance, and self-control. Thank you so much for your prayers and love!
28. I’m married to a great man who is in school full time, has a hospital internship AND works full time. My boy is busy. 😉 But, honestly, we are so grateful for school and work. It’s been a rough few years as we were hit by unemployment & found out we are unable to have children. The Lord has been so faithful though! I am captured anew by Him.
I work in ministry (for teens) and welcome, welcome! prayer. Grateful for this community.
Hi! I my name is Jennifer and I am from Texas. I am in my 20’s and a newlywed. I am so grateful for this post. As my husband and I are at a young age and in the beginning of our marriage this is an extremely impressionable time for us. Our prayer is that we would build our marriage on Christ alone and seek His will during every season of life. Please pray that our relationship with the Lord would deepen and be steadfast. Thank you for this post!
Hi friends 🙂
My name is Chrissy. I’m a single 25 year old gal living in Manhattan, Kansas. I work for a campus ministry at K-State and pray that fire will be in my heart my whole life. I want my students to have it, too, to know the One true God and be captivated by and surrendered to Him forever.
I love you all. Thanks for praying for us 20-something’s. We need you, we are encouraged by your faith, and we love you!
My name is Brittany, and I am a freshman at Baylor University. I’m originally from the Fort Worth, TX area but reside in Waco, TX at the moment. This year has been extremely challenging emotionally and spiritually. I have an anxiety disorder, and I struggle with fear on a daily basis. God has come so far in healing me, but I would always appreciate continued prayer in that area, As I’ve come into college, I’ve wrestled with feelings of worthlessness and insignificance. I constantly am comparing myself to other people and never feel like I’m good enough. As a young woman who desires to represent Jesus, I sometimes feel out of place in this college life. My heart longs for my ultimate dream- to be a Godly wife and mom. I am having a hard time waiting for the one God has for me. Please pray that I would remain patient and faithful and that I wouldn’t sacrifice anything in order to “fit in”. Also, I know that all college students would be so thankful for prayers as we approach finals!
Hi Brittany, Pam here in Missouri. I would consider it a privilege to sit with our Father and chat with Him to hear His heart for you. I know what it is like to battle through to truly be that captive that Jesus came to set free. God is indeed faithful to complete that which He began and I KNOW Him to be my Father, who draws me close to His chest to hear His heart for me….praying that for you as well.
Hi friends! I’m Sarah, and I’m a junior at the University of Illinois. I’m 21. 🙂 I am very blessed with great friends and community in both my campus ministry and my church, so praise Jesus for that! I love my Bible studies that I am in and that I lead.
Prayer wise, please pray that I’d know who I am in Jesus. I struggle so much with living out of the lies that I believe instead of the truth of the gospel. I need to live out of truth and be content in him. Honestly I’ve felt really lonely lately despite my great friends because all my close friends have boyfriends/fiances and I feel really left out. My identity is not in that at all! But I feel really rejected. Please pray that I’d find that desire for relationship in Jesus alone. 🙂 Thanks friends!
My name is Leah from Alabama and I’m 28 years old. I felt called to be a worship leader when I was 19, so I changed my major, changed schools and started heading in that direction. This past year has been the hardest of my life, with me leading worship at a church on Sundays, then having a full-time job at another church leading worship during the week because my husband was laid off from his job in ministry. I began to hate, loathe leading worship. I even came to the conclusion that I never enjoyed leading worship, but I felt called by God so I did it, hoping he would give me joy in it. I was laid off from my full-time job last November, and my other church is closing in June so I won’t be leading there anymore either. After months of job searching, I finally was able to get a job (praise God!) at a bank, but I’m to the point now that I don’t know if I ever want to go back into ministry, or even do music again. Maybe this is God’s gift to get me out of it. I’d really appreciate your prayers!!!
My name is Krystle and I am 29… barely making it in the 20 something category. Haha! I live in Birmingham, AL with my husband and seventeen month old daughter, Noah. We are in the process of adopting our second daughter from Hong Kong. Each day I check the waiting child list looking for our little girl. In reality I get a little nervous because we are adopting a special needs child. I don’t know what that looks like for us or how I need God to prepare me for that. I do however know that no child deserves to be looked over for adoption just because they are special needs. God adopted me with all my special needs and for that I am forever grateful. Please pray for me and my family as we seek God’s guidance through this whole process. Thank you!
Dear krystle! I am so incredibly thankful The Lord has led you to adopt! During 2012 I worked in an orphanage overseas and have been praying ever since that god would raise up more and more people to adopt! Adoption is the clearest most tangible picture of the gospel we have on this earth! I am so so so so thankful for you! And will be praying for your new child!
Love, Katherine
Hi!
My name is Erica and I just turned 27. I spent several years after high school in various ministries, overseas and in the States. I’m currently a 1st-semester Junior at Moody Bible Institute, working towards a degree in Evangelism and Discipleship.
I am enjoying this season of life, and my time at Moody, but I am tempted to become anxious about life after school. This semester particularly God has been driving home a vision that terrifies me because it is so beyond what I think I could tackle and yet I’m becoming more convinced I’m somehow supposed to pursue it.
Please pray that I would not worry, and that I would be able to face my fears to pursue God even deeper.
Thank you so much!
My name is Brooke. I am 27 years old and I currently live in Georgia. I work at a local college as an advisor. I have decided to change careers. While I value education, I feel like I’m waisting my talents and the passion Jesus has given me by sitting behind a desk 45 hours a week. I long to be creative and bless others with the talents I have been blessed with. I would love to have the support of prayer as I take this step of faith. My hearts desire is to not just be a hearer of the word, but also a doer. Thanks so much in advance! What a wonderful community to be a part of. 🙂
Laura, 22, from NC (whoop whoop!)
A little about me. I love reading this blog and growing closer to God through Beth’s words. I am struggling to find my place in my church community. I also just started a new job and am trying to figure everything out. Have been dating my boyfriend for 4 years now and am looking toward that next stage in life. My thoughts totally echo what all the other comments say – this is a time of transition and adjustment, for sure! Thank you!
Kayla, age 22. Right now I’m living in Colombia, South America. On paper, I came down here as a biology research assistant, but my Father had other plans. This year has been one of incredible spiritual growth: God has changed my attitudes, my habits, my thoughts, my heart, and my passions this year.
I am moving back to the States soon and I will be single, unemployed, and filled with a passion to glorify Jesus with my whole being. I’m starting to realize that God could send my life in about a thousand directions, but one thing I have clear. I want my life to be 100% characterized by light, fruit, purity, truth, and the aroma of Christ. But how does a possible career (or not) in biology fit into that? What about my love for playing the guitar at church? What about my future boyfriend/spouse/family? What about being bilingual?
I don’t have a specific request, just a huge prayer of thanks for what He has already done and a prayer asking that the fire will not grow cold but rather that God will see fit to turn this life into a tool that glorifies His name immensely in His timing. Thank you, sisters.
Hello family! My name is Allison. I am 24, live in Jackson, TN and I work as a Girls Minister at Englewood Baptist Church. I have been out of college for almost 2 years and am having a hard time adjusting to the real world! It’s been such an insane season. I have been a Girls Minister since August, so this is all so new to me. Some days I feel like I am just trying to keep my head above water. Satan loves to attack my mind. It’s my weak area. I struggle with believing God’s truths and promises completely to the point that it changes my way of thinking and handling situations. There are days that I feel like Satan is so winning the battle and there are days where I do believe that I am a conqueror in Christ. As a young woman in ministry, there are few opportunities for me to get poured into since I am doing lots of the pouring out. I would love to know that someone else is caring for me and presenting me to the Lord each and every morning. What a wonderful, freeing thought. Thank you for doing this.
I’m in my late 20s and still struggling with my purpose. I’m from South Africa.
I’m Sarah from Athens, GA! I am graduating from the University of Georgia in about two weeks with a degree in Early Childhood Education. A week after graduation, I am flying across the ocean to live in Europe until December! I will be working as an au pair for two families in Spain and France. I would love to meet fellow believers and have the opportunity to fellowship while I’m in a new place. I have a huge sense of peace because I know this is something the Lord wants me to do. I’m just praying that I’ll be open to meeting new people and that I’ll follow Him in this next journey!
Hey! 🙂 I’m Liz from Chantilly, VA. I’m 20 and finishing up my last week of classes of my sophomore year at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. This year, and especially this semester have been really challenging. This has been my most difficult semester of college with uncertainties about doing well in classes, having a significantly larger workload than previously, and my class schedule for next semester is not working out so wonderfully, as all the classes I need are full and I’m only signed up for one right now. To top that off, I have had many strained relationships with friends and a few spiritual attacks. Luckily for me, I’m very laid back and not much of a worrier, so it’s not so bad! However, I have felt in a bit of a rut spiritually this year, and although I feel as though I’m coming out of it, I can always use all the prayer I can get! Specifically I would request prayer for discernment and knowing the truth. I am also really excited for the summer because I am doing a two month long internship in San Francisco with an organization called InnerChange working with the homeless! I think it’s going to be an awesome experience that is going to push me to new places in my faith! So prayer that everything leading up to and in preparation for the trip would go smoothly would be appreciated! And finally, prayer that I would pray more myself! Thanks so much to anyone who prays for me! God bless you!
Hi there, my name is Whitney. I’m 27 years old, newly married, and a first-year seminary student (fresh out of two years of full-time ministry. I saw Beth’s tweet about prayer for 20-something’s and I knew it was the Lord!
I’m in the Boston area and while I was not personally affected by the Boston Marathon bombing last week, my heart and spirit were greatly affected and I have struggled with fear since the attacks.
I would love prayer for focus, perseverance, and a deep love for the Word as I push through the next two weeks. People often say that seminary is a “cemetery” where faith goes to die, and I’m determined that the Word will shape my heart during this season. Please pray that my heart is continually broken for people and that the Lord will cause great growth in my heart during these three years of seminary.
Thank you so much for your prayers. The Body of Christ is such an encouragement and it is so cool that social media gives us an opportunity to be present with and prayerful for people we don’t even know!
Oh, and I’m @whitneydrew on Twitter 🙂
Umm, I am a 17 year old with no idea which side I am supposed to be on in this.
Laughing. I see where that would be a little confusing. My first reaction was to tell you to just go ahead and sign up for prayer and I still want you to do that! But, for the pure discipline and practice of it, why don’t you also adopt one of these to pray for as a little sister to them. My little brother prays for me often. It doesn’t take someone older. It just takes someone willing to do the thing in Jesus’ Name and with faith. Welcome!
Hey there! My name is Laura, and I am a 21 year old from Illinois!
I’m currently a junior in nursing school, and right smack dab in the middle of finals week (no stress in my life currently..not!) I’m crying over this post, because it is exactly what I needed today. This past week has been one of the roughest in a long time for me.. dealing with long term eating disordered behavior that has taken a turn for the worse, the stress of finals, the stress of moving home in a few weeks to a place I don’t really want to return to.
This post was a great reminder that ultimately, God can provide anything I need. Its hard to remember that when I am completely wiped from earthly troubles. Please just pray that I remember God in front of all the temporary things, and for me to be reminded that in him I am made new. Also, pray for me to have the strength to treat my body like the temple it is, instead of destroying it like I often do. I know that sounds depressing, but all in all I am a happy girl. Just a little hard on myself. Thank you so much!
My name is Samantha, and I’m a 23 year old from South Carolina serving with a ministry in Washington, D.C. God has provided an amazing opportunity for me to be here in D.C. before I begin law school. I work with gals on Capitol Hill who have an uphill battle to be a light in dark world. I have been pleasantly surprised to find a strong thriving Christian community here, but these are people who strive everyday to not let their hearts become cold. They inspire me everyday.
Please pray for each of these beautiful women I have the privilege to encounter, and that we may sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron. Please pray for revival within our government leaders! Also, I’ve become rather attached to D.C. and the people here. Please pray for my transition back into school in the fall as the task is intimidating, and pray for the softening of the hearts of the people God will place in my path at school. Thank you so so much!!!
I’m Candy and am from Sealy, Texas. I just got admitted into SAGU (Southwestern Assemblies of God University) for my Junior year of college. I am seeking a BS in Human Services-Counseling in an online degree with them, and then hoping to seek a Masters in Counseling online afterwards. I’m seeking prayer for the wisdom and knowledge to be saturated into me in order to complete my studies that I will be taking over my time here. I also am seeking for the financial assistance to cover for my courses (Which I have already gained a $3,000 grant for my first full year, praise God!) just looking for more assistance so I do not have to take out anymore loans than I have over already taken for school over the past ten years. Pray that I will find a way to get my financial needs straightened out in every area, too, besides school loans, too.
Thanks! God Bless!
My name is Sarah, and I’m a 21 year old college student from West Monroe, La. I’m at a point in my life where I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing or where I’m going. I’m finishing my junior year of college, but I have no idea if I should even be there! I’m having a slight identity crisis, right now. I’ve lost a lot of friends along the way, and I’m wondering if its worth it. Mostly, I’m trying to figure out the difference between my voice and my wants with the voice of Christ. (If that makes any sense)
Thank you (whoever you may be) in advance for your willingness to pray for me! I’m expecting God to show up in a big way!
27, married, have a toddler boy…ongoing struggle to place satisfaction only in Jesus, not in intimacy with my non-affectionate husband. Thank you for praying!
Wow! This post was for me indeed. I need prayer. Big time. I have been at the end of my rope lately. I am 22 and have gone cold it seems. I live in Ft. Lewis, WA right now with my husband. 3,000 miles away from family and friends… I have been feeling like God had left me lately. I miss that firey passion. I miss it more than anything. I miss that hunger for His Word and for Him. Oh please, desperately, pray for me… I want it back so bad. I want that passion again. And i need desperate prayer. I really needed this post, and the prayer. I was so down and miserable. But this has given me hope. I will pray and seek. Please pray for me.
Hi! I am currently living and working in indiana. I am really trying to surrender what I THOUGHT was my calling and passion to what Jesus is actually calling me to RIGHT NOW. Faithfulness in the daily grind of life is such a challenge for me, but I long to grow in that discipline and moment by moment trust in Him. Thanks for your prayers!
Oops! Forgot to include my age. I am 23 🙂
I’m Charise, I’m 23, and from upstate South Carolina. I really struggle with what Gods purpose for my life is and with what I should be doing in this season of my life. I recently moved away from my hometown and it has been very challenging for me. I want a better relationship with Christ, but am lost at how to attain it and live it well every day.
My name is Jessica, and I am a 23 year old living in Athens, GA, originally from a small town in South Georgia. Today, I accepted my first full time job here in Athens, and it was such a God thing. I have been a Christian since I was six years old. I am on a daily path of discovering exactly how the Lord wants to use me. I feel the tugging on my heart, and I desire to be the woman He created me to be. My entire family lives 4 hours away. This new stage of my life will be a challenge, but I need prayer that the Lord will plant me here and allow me to flourish during this season of my life. Thank you for your prayers.
Hi I’m Stephanie I’m 29
Been married 10 years May 3
Right now I’m busy raising my 3 sweet girls 7, 5, 2
I so desperately want my fire to be stirred up more and more for Jesus so that it spills to my man my babes and the world around me
Lately I have sensed a heaviness in my life on the matter of prayer. I know I need to pray more and seek Him on my face but I’m letting life, busyness good stuff get in the way
Pray that I will love Him more seek Him more and be a bright shinning lite to everyone I meet
Thank you!!
What a blessing this is
Hello =)
My name is Michelle. I am a 24 year old living in Nashville, just trying to figure out life.
I graduated last June and my post-grad plans did not pan out how I ever anticipated. The transition from college into the “real world” in a new city has been way more difficult than I ever imagined. I am stuck in a job I don’t care for and I’m anxious in what the next career steps are for me. I have been praying for job opportunities here, but haven’t seen a response yet.
I’m also single and have vowed to be single the past 6 months just to learn to be content with that and my relationship with God. I have been praying that that would continue and that I would trust God with his plans for a future relationship.
Hey everyone (: My name is Ariel and I’m from Rhode Island. I’ve been in love with the Lord since the of age 16. One of the main things I want to do is serve the Lord- fearlessly. I want to travel and be his Hands and feet but I feel like I always push myself back whenever an opportunity comes because I’m too shy.
Lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed because I have no idea where to go with my life. I feel like God is pressing Africa’s fingerprints on my heart but I don’t know. I also have a heart for teaching but every time the thought of teaching comes up I feel like I’m attacked with thoughts that I wouldn’t be good at it or don’t have the creativity for it.
This year has defiantly been a whirlwind but I know God is good and He has everything together. (:
Hi Jillian a 20 something here from Massachusetts, living in Florida and moving to Denver! I have a passion to encourage, inspire, motivate and challenge other believers (specifically women) in their walk with The Lord. He is so good to me and keeps taking me further than I would have ever dreamt for myself and I love having the opportunity to share with others all He teaches me and seeing that moment when something inside I them clicks, and their desire for Him is strengthened. I am trying to live out of victory and in the great abundance my provider gives rather than giving in to negative self talk and a defeatist or victim mentality. I am single which feels sometimes like a blessing and other times like jail sentence I’m waiting to finish out! I also am looking to find a career in ministry but am waiting on The Lord for that as well. Please pray for me, for my desire to increase and for me to be able to memorize scripture more! I know that as I speak to others, pray for them and even myself that using the word of God has power, it never comes back empty, and it is the greatest tool I could have as well as the best words I could ever speak over another or myself.
Thank you precious ladies for taking time to read this and to pray for my, it is greatly appreciated!
Hi, my name is Hein!
I’m 20 years old, from South-Africa and a 2nd year varsity student. I have a passion and great love for Jesus and His word. I’m also a musician, playing in our church’s worship band.
Please pray that the Lord will use me according to His will and that I will continue to lay my life down for it. I also greatly desire spiritual gifts such as prophecy and healing. Please pray that I would continue to desire them for the right reasons and use them to honor God.
Thank you!
God bless!
Hi! My name is Natalie. I am 28, single and living in Houston. So thankful for this post! I have been struggling with some things from my past. I want a pure heart and please pray that I continue to fight for it!
Natalie
My name is allysia (pronounced alicia, alesha). I am a 25 year old mother of four kids. Kylie is 6, Alex is 5, Aiden is 3, and Karsyn is 2. I babysit other’s kids during the day to help make ends meet. My mom owned almost every one of Beth Moore’s Bible studies and she led them in our home all through high school. I myself have done several. She died in her sleep march 24, 2011 at age 41, from sleep medication. I attended Beth Moore’s conference with her last time she was in Tucson, and was fortunate to get to see her in phoenix last month with my little sister. It was VERY emotional for us. My dad and sister moved to phoenix last summer so our family is very much an island. We don’t really have friends or support around us and hunger for it.
Hi, I am Meredith! I live in Houston and work at a local non-profit handling media relations & marketing. My life is somewhat hectic at times, very busy, but it is my passion and love for God that fuels me. I would love prayer for my future husband and family. God has recently led me down a road of various changes in my life (living situation, church change, etc.) after coasting along a smooth road for about 3 years. One of the hardest things about being single in your late 20’s is that nothing seems permanent or stable. It is great to live in the temporary, but I am ready to meet my husband and God willing have my own family. I would love prayer for all these things. Thank you!
Wow, I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have stumbled upon this post.
My names Sarah, 23, in sarasota, Florida. I am a single mother to my 2 year old son. When I first found out I was pregnant (certainly not planned) I was wrestling w the idea of abortion and found myself at a faith-based pregnancy center, which was an instrumental part in my choosing life not only for my son but myself. I could fill up this whole page w all the ways my heart and life have changed, for the better, since becoming his mother. I have returned to that same pregnancy center, now volunteering as a peer advocate, sharing my story of redemption and supporting other girls facing unplanned pregnancies. I recently also felt led to write this poem that kind of encapsulates my experience and speaks hope for other young mothers and protection for their unborn babies. I recently shared this poem at a church and the subsequent outpouring was overwhelming. In the best most God inspired way. I felt my purpose. That I was exactly where God wanted me at that moment. I guess my request for prayer would be a covering over what I feel to be a clear calling. Entering the “playing field” of speaking out against abortion and defending these babies and their mothers…is just, idk I feel so clearly guided into this yet it’s intimidating and so not my normal nature to speak publicly. I want to fight for a pure heart, to honor Jesus, and be a faithful steward of what I feel he has entrusted me with. If anyone would come alongside me, I would be beyond grateful.
My name is Andrea. I’m 26 and finishing up my second year in grad school pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy. Between school, my relationships with family and friends as well as other responsibilities I’m feeling very overwhelmed and stretched to my limit. God has been very faithful thus far and I’m believing he will continue to be. However, I have a stressful family situation which pulls my focus away from where it needs to be. In addition, I started dating a nice Christian guy several months ago. We’ve hit a few bumps in the road recently as all people do in relationships and need a lot of wisdom as to whether or not this is what God has for my future. I’m having trouble trusting God for strength to get through this next season of life. I was so encouraged when I saw this was the blog today. I’m thankful for those who are willing to pray and appreciate the prayers.
Alyssa: I am Doris and I am in Alabama. I am 54 years old with a son who I SO PRAY would have someone like you ministering to him right now in your vocation. We are separated due to his problem and it is my prayer that one day he will return (very painful process). I will be praying for your passion in your position, a fresh rush of the Holy Spirit that will sweep you off your feet for Him and a loving ability to affect someone else’s son or daughter to come “home”. You are definitely doing the Lord’s work there.
Hi Mrs. Beth! WOW this was so beautiful. Seriously, so needed. I am 26 from the Dallas area and I have a passion for young women my age and a bit younger. Lately, the Lord has been putting it on my Spirit to begin to pray bolder prayers and to walk in purpose. Definitely need prayer it bringing back that longing for Jesus above everything and that He refine in me what He needs to do. Thank you 🙂