I believe in the power of prayer. I also believe its a spiritual discipline that is often neglected. It tends to become very popular when people are watching, around the dinner table, or when tragedy strikes. I’m not saying these are “bad” prayers or wrong prayers; I am saying that our prayer lives should be so much more than this.

As a student minister I have a strong conviction to be praying for our teenagers, their parents, and our adult leaders. I’m often asked, “How can I pray for teenagers?” There are many ways I would answer this question. Below are five specific ways you can pray for teenagers along with related Scripture passages.

1. Pray that teenagers would have a personal relationship with the Creator. John 17:3, 2 Samuel 22:2-4, Romans 10:9

2. Pray that teenagers would love God more than anything else. Matthew 22:37-38

3. Pray that teenagers would increase in their knowledge of who God is. Colossians 1:9-10, Philippians 3:10-11

4. Pray that teenagers would have a strong desire to be used by God. Joshua 1:6-9

5. Pray that teenagers would serve others often, in a spirit of love. 1 Peter 4:10

If we are talking about a teenager that is an unbeliever, the first prayer is what I would focus on. If we were talking about a teenager that has already claimed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior then, I would focus on the second and third prayer. The fourth and fifth prayers are more action oriented in nature.

No matter whom you are reading this blog post: student pastor/director, other church staff pastor/leader, parent of a teenager, small group leader, Sunday school teacher… key in on one of the five prayers. I then challenge you to spend the upcoming months praying over it. I truly do believe in the power of prayer. It can completely revolutionize your student ministry, family, and church body.

Joshua 22:5 (HCSB), “Only carefully obey the command and instruction that Moses the Lord’s servant gave you: to love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, keep His commands, remain faithful to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.”