As one year ends and another begins, it’s natural to pause and reflect—remembering God’s faithfulness in the past and anticipating His plans for the future. For parents, children’s, youth and family ministers, and church members, this is an ideal time to focus prayerfully on the children and young people in our families and church communities.
Where have we seen God’s hand at work in their lives over the past year? How can we step into the year ahead with renewed intentionality, committing to pray for them, encourage them, and invest in their growth in faith? Let this be a moment of fresh resolve and hope as we entrust the next generation to the Lord.
Looking Back: God’s Faithfulness in 2024
As we reflect on 2024, let’s prayerfully consider how God has been at work in the lives of the children and young people entrusted to our care—whether as parents, children’s leaders, or a church family. Here are some suggested ways to shape your prayers:
Give Thanks:
- For Salvation and Growth: Praise God for moments when your child or the young people in your care grew in their understanding of God’s Word or came to faith. Thank Him for their steps of obedience and trust in Christ.
- For Answered Prayers: Recall specific prayers God has answered in their lives, such as overcoming a personal challenge, finding new friendships, or experiencing His help in exams.
- For Faithful Ministry: Give thanks for those God has used to bless and encourage your child—whether a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, or a supportive church family member.
Repent:
- For Neglect in Prayer: Confess any inconsistency in praying for your child or the young people entrusted to you.
- For Missed Opportunities: Acknowledge where you may have overlooked chances to point them to Christ, whether through teaching, encouragement, or simply listening well.
- For Church Dynamics: Reflect as a church family on whether young people have been fully embraced as vital members of the body of Christ, and repent where they’ve been overlooked or undervalued.
Rejoice:
- In God’s Faithfulness: Celebrate the unchanging faithfulness of God, present in the children’s lives through each and every day.
- In Growth Through Challenges: Thank God for the resilience and growth He has brought through trials, such as navigating school pressures, family changes, or friendships.
- In Church Community: Rejoice in the ways your child or young people have connected more deeply with the church, whether through serving, participating in worship, or forming relationships across generations.
Through it all, God has been faithful—even when His hand wasn’t always visible. Let us thank Him for His steadfast love and care over the past year.
Looking Ahead: Praying for 2025
As we reflect on God’s faithfulness in 2024, we are reminded of His ongoing work in the lives of children and young people. This gives us confidence to pray boldly as we look to 2025.
Here are some suggested ways to pray:
- For Their Salvation and Growth in Christ
Pray that children and young people would encounter Jesus as their Saviour and grow in their love for Him. Ask God to captivate their hearts with His glory and draw them into lives marked by holiness, humility, and joy in Christ (2 Peter 3:18, Psalm 119:9-11). - For Protection and Guidance
In a world full of distractions and lies, pray for God’s protection over their hearts and minds. Ask that they would discern truth from falsehood and walk in the wisdom of His Word (Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:7). - For Boldness in Their Faith
Pray that young people would be unashamed of the gospel, eager to share the hope of Christ with their peers. Ask that they would live as salt and light, pointing others to Jesus through their words and actions (Romans 1:16, Matthew 5:13-16). - For Strength and Wisdom for Parents and Leaders
Pray for parents, children’s workers, and youth leaders to be equipped with wisdom, patience, and perseverance as they disciple the next generation. Ask God to sustain them and give them joy in their service (Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Colossians 1:28-29). - For an Understanding of Belonging in the Church
Pray that children and young people would know they are valued members of the body of Christ, finding their place in the life and ministry of the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 2:19-22).
A Call to Action
Prayer is both a privilege and a responsibility. If you’re a parent, commit to setting aside time each week to pray specifically for your children. If you’re a church member, consider how you can support the families and young people in your congregation through prayer. Why not approach a family and ask how you can pray for their children this year?
If you serve in children’s or youth ministry, reflect on your prayers for those you lead. Are you praying bold, kingdom-focused prayers, trusting God to transform lives?
A New Year’s Challenge
As we step into 2025, let’s commit not only to pray for the next generation but also to actively invest in their spiritual growth. Whether through teaching, mentoring, or encouraging, we each have a role to play in their lives.
May this be a year where our churches are marked by fervent, united prayer for children and young people. Let’s trust God to do abundantly more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Who can fathom the depths of what the Lord might accomplish in 2025 through His grace and power? Let’s pray expectantly, act faithfully, and rest in His unfailing goodness.
