I am the first to admit that I am no history buff. Even so, I am not exempt from the responsibility of learning from our past. One thing we can notice, is how certain events mark a generation and its evident in their lifestyle or thought process the impact of that event. For example, the generation that survived, and was raised during, the Great Depression are noted by signs of frugality, hard work, and the desire to have resources stored in multiple avenues (money both in the bank and under the mattress, and huge stores of food in the pantry). Going through a universally-impacting historical event gave a certain dose of personality to a generation. This leads me to wonder, and pray, what the impact of the events of 2020 will have on this current generation?
Here’s what I know. The enemy of our souls is seeking to destroy us. He will use any means necessary to do this. He does not let off the gas of his onslaught. What an arsenal a global pandemic, political and social unrest, and general heightened anxiety has been for him to harm this generation. I have recently read reports of how young people have the highest levels of suicidal ideation ever recorded. I have witnessed fathers and sons not speak to each other over political differences. I have talked with people who have become generally unimpressed or disappointed by the church and have decided that a life of faith is no longer for them.
While these things are evident, I also know that God is still on the move!
As a believer in the power of prayer, I am making it my mission to pray for this generation, who are still being pressed by the events of the day. I believe that we can seek God and move out of this season with different outcomes than the ones reported. The markers impressed upon our generation by 2020 do not have to be fear, anxiety and division. Will you consider praying in 2022 for this generation alongside me? Here’s how I’ll be praying:
- We are a generation of Unity. We learned how quickly and easily opposing groups can be formed of even the closest of people. But many of us also learned how to apologize, forgive, and reconcile. My prayer is that learned acts of reconciliation would be the defining trait of this generation. Lord, guide us to be a people who are resistant to offense, and quick to forgive. Help us to see how You have made us each uniquely, but wonderfully, and how those differences are actually for the benefit of the whole!
- We are a generation of Action. There have been many movements this past 24 months. We were able to see what changes can be made when people work together towards a common goal. The Lord has not created us to do His work alone. In unity, Lord, help us to do Your work. Help us to not be swept up by any cause, but help us to be people of action, seeking to build Your kingdom in the myriad of ways that You have gifted and inspired us to do so!
- We are a generation of Truth. The truth has been a slippery item to grasp. Many people have felt the disappointment of what has been presented versus what was discovered as reality. What is projected may just be from one person’s perspective, but does not always equate to what is actually truth. Lord, help us to be a people who seek to stand on truth, and not a second-hand distortion of the truth. Help us to not be deceived by the schemes of the enemy of our hearts.
- We are a generation of Love. What a year for creatively loving your neighbor! While loving your neighbor has looked different, depending on where you may stand on certain issues, I have seen an increase in a focus on doing just that - loving the people around you. While I understand the call can be distorted to benefit selfish desires, my prayer is that the goodness of the heart behind it settles in and the rest fades away. Lord, may we be a generation that cares for the helpless, lost, and vulnerable. Help us to love sacrificially and selflessly the way You did. Help us to not be a generation of fear, but of compassion and love.
Candace Cortez
Executive Pastor
No comments:
Post a Comment