If there’s one group I feel particularly sorry and concerned for today it’s young people, with so much in the world today giving grounds for anxiety, if not complete fatalism and despair. Here, then, is a prayer for your people in a troubled world that I wrote for my recent book Intercessions for a Hurting World, to which I’ve added a final paragraph bringing it fully up to date.
Lord of all,
hear our prayer for young people.
We think of children growing up,
facing the challenge of school and exams,
of learning more about themselves
and the world around them,
of gradually growing towards maturity.
To all young people,
give help on their journey.
We think of the opportunities,
yet pressures,
young people face today:
the possibilities that our online world opens up,
giving access to all kinds of resources as never before,
but also the problems –
the danger of cyber-bullying and stalking,
of online gambling, pornography or scams,
of developing virtual relationships at the cost of real ones,
of being so wedded to their phone, tablet or computer
that they have little time for anything else.
To all young people,
give help on their journey.
We think of the challenges every young person must meet:
of leaving the security of home
and striking out on their own;
of finding employment and building a career;
of adjusting to university or college life
or to the demands of the workplace;
of finding a partner and establishing new relationships.
To all young people,
give help on their journey.
We think of young people for whom life is hard:
those who have learning difficulties;
those who are disabled
or who are fighting serious illness;
those from broken homes;
those in countries torn by war and hatred;
and those who have been orphaned.
To all young people,
give help on their journey.
We think of young people denied the innocence
of childhood or happiness of youth:
those who are sexually abused,
mistreated,
unloved,
deprived
or bullied.
And we think of those who minister in such situations –
doctors, social workers, psychiatrists and counsellors –
all who strive to heal the wounds and lessen the scars.
To all young people,
give help on their journey.
We think of the major issues –
national and international –
that affect young people today,
colouring their view of life
and giving cause for fear,
anxiety,
even despair over the future:
climate change,
global warming
and the threat of environmental catastrophe;
changing trading relationships and economic structures,
plus revised standards and regulations,
resulting from Brexit,
and uncertainty over where this all might lead –
for good or for ill;
and now the threat and mounting panic caused by Clovid 19,
resulting in fears concerning not just the health of vulnerable loved ones,
but also jobs,
security,
even another potential economic meltdown.
To all young people,
give help on their journey.
And grant them reason to believe,
reason to trust that there are still grounds for optimism;
cause to look forward in hope,
despite everything that may suggest the contrary.
Amen.