Some people go through the steps of prayer daily, and others use it to refocus when they feel like life is getting a little out of control. Explain that you’re going to try a prayer that people have been using for hundreds of years. When introducing a new spiritual practice, consider the unique qualities of your group of students, and plan your prayer time according to what is going to be most helpful for them. Share it with young people in your ministry as you teach them this practical way to pray.Įvery young person is going to have their own comfort level when it comes to prayer. Our 3-minute Daily Replay video walks young people through 5 simple reflection steps. The Examen is a helpful tool from our faith tradition that roots mindfulness in prayer. The Daily Replay is based on the Ignatian Prayer of Examen and adapted for teenagers today. That’s why Faith in an Anxious World offers you pointers to teach young people an ancient prayer practice. Mental health experts like Aaron recommend regular reflection-like practices of mindfulness-as a productive way for most people to manage normal levels of anxiety and promote mental health. Aaron Rosales, the psychologist who most helped us shape the content, emphasized that ministry leaders need to think not only about response and prevention, but also about the promotion of positive mental health habits. When we were developing the Faith in an Anxious World high school curriculum, we talked with mental health experts about some of the best practices to teach teenagers how to manage their stress and anxiety. At the Fuller Youth Institute, our team would like to give you a free tool that can help you encourage students to pray. And as anxiety and despair continue to increase among young people, engaging them in practices of reflection and prayer can provide a much-needed lifeline. Whatever the season, we can all agree that these practices are valuable ones for young people to nurture as they develop lifelong faith. In many churches, Lent is a season of six weeks leading up to Easter when we make time and space to widen our understanding of sacrifice, have honest conversations with God, and notice more of what God is doing in and around us. But when it comes to actually teaching them to pray, we might find it hard to guide young people in practices that aren’t awkward at first or don’t involve a lot of talking (usually by the extroverts). Use this sample wording to emphasize that Jesus plants “seeds of faith” in our hearts and faithfully nurtures them.As youth ministry leaders, we all want to encourage students to pray. And it reminds them of God’s constant presence in their lives. Words of EncouragementĪn opening prayer for Bible study uplifts and inspires students. It also opens their hearts to the real possibility that their heavenly Father will transform their hearts and lives. This type of prayer reminds teenagers that God is speaking directly to them through his Word. Listen Up!īefore a Bible study or lesson, pray that God will open everyone’s ears and make them receptive to Scripture. Or they can pinpoint a specific praise (“my mom is well again”). During the prayer, they can name a general blessing (“a car that starts”). Popcorn Praiseīegin your time together by having teens take turns shouting out praises to God. Also ask him to guide your study and help you listen to his teachings. Instead, thank God for bringing you all together. When time is tight, don’t skip the opening prayer.
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