“Dear Lord, I’m coming to you today/ tonight and really praying for those of us who are in the midst of our youth. I pray we can still be examples as we go through our own fires, and that they survive the disappointment that comes with our trials & errors in learning how to balance life w/ responsibility in ministry. And I’m praying that those w/ their own struggles truly seek & find Christ for deliverance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. (“Like” to join my prayer)”. – KLC
This was my most recent prayer, which I shared on my personal facebook page as a note. I also sent it out as a blackberry messenger broadcast message and text. Some friends didn’t respond, while others replied that it was a timely prayer and that it lifted their spirits. As I write, my hope is that this post will be an encouragement to those reading. As I begin, I’ll let myself be emotionally naked before you all as I share my own need to be uplifted.
As I prepare to reveal what’s in my heart, I’ll start with a brief description of my background. I’m a 30 year old woman who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York by parents I can only thank God for. Growing up, my dad helped me with my school work. He checked my assignments and spent time teaching me the spelling and definitions of words I was not learning in school. He took my brother and me to the library to find books to read aside from what we were assigned in school. As for my mom, she was my number one fan, and I am so grateful to God for giving me a constant source of support through her existence. If I wanted to be a doctor, she was ready to buy my first stethoscope, although I never became one. If I wanted to be a fashion designer, she was ready to pay for my art lessons, although I never took any. Because of that, it was usually easy for me to carry on through the few concerns of a child without the many youth ministries that now exist within the church. However, even as a child myself, I knew that not all of my peers grew up with the same sense of security. There were children I knew and observed whose lives I knew were completely different. As the oldest child in my household, there was a lot I did not know. As for my friends, many had older siblings who taught them things their parents may not have raised them to know. Or they may have had parents who raised them to know a bit too much a bit too soon. These were things also learned in school or from other outside influences. Whether it was the use of vulgarity, inappropriate or mature physical gestures… I saw these things practiced or used by my peers on many occasions. But rather than frown upon it, I actually admired their ability to act without giving a second thought to the opinions of others.
As I write, I remember my friend Lauren McCall, who is now a born again Christian. You see, my friend Lauren and I were in the same classes as children. We also share the same birthday. Yet we came from two completely different worlds. But despite our differences in upbringing and personality, what also existed between us was a deep and unspoken mutual admiration. Back then, Lauren was known to be loud, crass, and quick tempered, while I was the total opposite. However, I admired how free spirited and fearless she was. I didn’t see an untamed, unloved little girl. I saw a bold and blunt beauty. At the same time, I was a shy, often silent child. Yet she didn’t see an introverted outcast with an odd sense of uncertainty. She saw a peaceful light in a world filled with noise and darkness. And although we were not close as children, she has grown to become one of my most treasured friends. You may have just read the previous statements and thought “why would a child with so much love in her home feel uncertain about anything?” Well allow me to explain. The reason for my uncertainty was the fact that I knew I was different. I knew that the majority of my peers did not come from the same household environment that I had. I knew that many were exposed to things I was initially oblivious to. And as a result, I felt odd! There was a tiny voice inside of me that longed to speak in a way that would help those around me. But I never thought I could. And I didn’t even realize all of this until I was much older. I had acquaintances who told me they never saw us being close because I didn’t seem like a person who could relate to their experiences. I had ex-boyfriends who came from single parent, substance filled homes, who viewed me as spoiled or literally said “you could never help someone like me!” And it really made me sad. That little girl inside of me would resurface as doubt was redeposited into my spirit. Now add these circumstances to experiences in trials and errors of acting as a leader in youth ministry, and you have a broken and contrite spirit.
Since I have faced these emotions, God has picked me up and bandaged me in my brokenness, only for the enemy to come back even harder. And in the midst of it all, I’ve had my burdens. But I know I’m not the only one. And I’m here to tell you that just as he continues to relieve me of my burdens, he can do the same for you!
Nowadays there is so much out in the open; from promiscuity and homosexual activity to substance abuse, all being glamorized like never before! Yet some of us who want to help feel too broken to reach out to our youth! And even when we’ve been rebuilt, we have guilt. www.dictionary.com has the following definition for the word “contrite:”
“1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.
2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner.”
As you’re reading, you all may be wondering why I believe we have guilt. And the reason is this. Many of us are learning how to do something we may not have had to do as children. We’re learning how to balance “doing me” with surviving life’s tests and finding time or strength to be there for our youth! And we feel guilty because we often fall short on the latter. I’m speaking what I’ve been feeling, and I know I’m not alone. But I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone either. Psalm 34:18, King James Version, tells us that “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” In other words, he’s got our back! Just the same, he has the back of our young people as well. However, it also says in the word that “even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” [James 2:17, KJV]. Now if you’re reading this and thinking “I wish I could do more work, but I do so much already,” there is still something you can do. If there’s nothing else any of us can do, we can come together and pray. And so, I will conclude the same way that I started. And that is in extending my hand in prayer. I ask that as you all close in reading, you’ll say this prayer to yourselves in agreement:
“Dear Lord, I’m coming to you today/ tonight and really praying for those of us who are in the midst of our youth. I pray we can still be examples as we go through our own fires, and that they survive the disappointment that comes with our trials & errors in learning how to balance life w/ responsibility in ministry. And I’m praying that those w/ their own struggles truly seek & find Christ for deliverance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
Now share this post to keep the prayer going.
Your sis in Christ for life…
KLC
Copyright ©2011 Keisha L. Clarke
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