Passing on the Faith, through Prayer

The Generations Ministry is a new initiative at RMCC to encourage prayer for members of our youth group. We asked Lori Block to share her thoughts on this amazing opportunity.

“Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come (Psalm 71:18, ESV).”

As we age and grow into our later years, we need to rethink what productivity looks like and means, and look for opportunities to be productive in different and meaningful ways. The Bible gives us a lot of encouragement in this.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 speaks of the younger and older having respect for one another. “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity (1 Timothy 5:1-2, NKJV).”

Titus 2 teaches the older are to set good examples for the younger. “…that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned…(Titus 2:2-8, NKJV)”

Job 12:12 tells us wisdom is with the aged and that understanding comes in length of days. “Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding (Job 12:12, NKJV).”

1 Timothy 4:12 clearly reminds us that our youth are valued by God. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12, NKJV).”

Our world declares a generation gap, but the Lord makes it clear that we need one another. What a gift we, the Body of Christ, give each other on our knees. By regularly praying for one another, we place ourselves and those we pray for in the hands of the only One who can fully carry the weight of each person’s needs.

Love passed down through the generations glorifies our God and causes the church to thrive. One way the older generations can love on our church family is to pray for our youth.

One person may not be able to pray effectively for all 80 youth, but one person can make a huge difference for one or two youth — making the prayers more specific and intentional. We can take an interest, and perhaps even get to know the one we are daily praying for better.

I’ve heard it said that every time you pray for someone, your love for them grows. What youth group or church couldn’t use more love? This is something valuable those who are older can give in this later season of our lives.

If you are 50 plus and attend RMCC (with no kids in youth group) and would like to pray for a member of our youth, please contact Pastor Blair (blair@calvarychapel.ca) or speak to his wife, Jody Butterfield, or me—Lori Block. We’ll connect you with one of our youth, who will become a treasured person in your life.

Written by Lori Block