In Uncertain Times, Let Prayer Strengthen You

In the midst of our current cultural turmoil, we stand firmly in the truth that God longs for us to talk with Him. When our prayers are riddled with anxiety, He hears our cry. When we’re bursting with joy as we praise Him for what He has done, He hears our cry. He invites us to share our requests, concerns, and fears; to lift up our families, friends, and communities.

Did you know we pray for you? Each work day, our Awana staff gathers to pray over the churches and families we serve. We pray for your communities, peace in the chaos of life, and clarity in the midst of distractions [we’re looking at YOU, COVID-19] that keep us from hearing the voice of God. Just this morning, we prayed for wisdom and peace in the midst of a pandemic, and that God would draw us closer to Himself and each other.

Before you continue to read, do an internal check: clear the noise of the media and the anxiety of what tomorrow might hold. Remove the distractions–fear, panic, control– and place them in the hands of our Father. Settle into these Scripture passages that have been intentionally chosen to strengthen you in this chaotic season.

We pray that you: love one another

Scripture Passage: Romans 12:9-11

Heavenly Father, may this passage be true of me, of us. May we fully love as You have fully loved. May our hearts gravitate toward Your goodness and not evil or destructive things.  May we love and honor others before ourselves. May they love everyone, always as You do. Help them to never lose their spiritual fervor to serve You above everything. May their time with You and in Your Word be the fuel for this passion. May those around them see You more and more clearly as they serve You with all of their heart.

—Byron Graham, Human Relations

We pray that you: know the Word

Scripture Passage: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Lord, we pray for our resilient disciple makers. We lift them up in prayer as they come to the end of a season. As Paul exhorted Timothy, we pray for them to continue to be ready in and out of season. We pray for their spirit to be awake and alert as the cultural onslaught continues to batter away at them and the children they minister to daily. We pray for them as they endure suffering. This world has many troubles; but You, Father, have overcome them. As our leaders live a life chasing after You in this already, but not yet space … give them mercy and grace in their daily suffering. Lord, help them continue to be faithful with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Help them fulfill their ministry as they boldly and bravely share the Good News with everyone in their reach of ministry. Lord, help each leader finish well and also begin a new thing in each of them. Thank You, Jesus, for teaching us what it means to be a servant-leader! And I thank You for all of Your servants that suffer and toil for the sake of You and Your Kingdom!

—Chris Marchand, Solutions

We pray that you: do not grow weary

Scripture Reference: John 13:35

Father, as we lift our eyes to the world around us, we see so much division, anger, fear, and confusion. What can cut through the chaos of this age? What force has the power to bring real change? We know Your answer is through the church, these leaders. They are the bearers of Your love, Your messengers of salvation, and Your advocates for truth and hope. As they approach the end of the school year, help them not grow weary in doing good. There is a family that needs their listening ear. A single mom who relies on their encouragement. A student who understands the Bible because of them—and they do it all through the power of the love of Your son, Jesus. You have placed us right where we are as Your stronghold for the gospel. May we glorify your Name!

—Matt Markins, Executive Leadership Team

We pray that you: sense His presence

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that You would be with Awana leaders these last few months of the club year. Please help them to not grow weary. Help them to be strengthened and encouraged. Help them to know that the hard work of discipleship they are doing—the hours of creative preparation, the [virtual] smiles, high-fives and fist pumps they give away— are not in vain. Help them to see their efforts through Your eyes. Help them to know that through them, You are creating resilient disciples.

—Robin Camerer, Communications

We pray that you: remember the Kingdom

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Lord we know that every gift comes from You. From an early age we are told that You love us, and that we are meant to know You love us because Scripture tells us so. But this passage speaks without clichés and speaks to the responsibility we have with the love that You gave us. The feeling that we have about the children in our lives is because You first loved us. The time spent, the energy freely given, the strain we feel in our hearts to serve our children well, that is all because we love our kids. Thank you for the privilege that comes with this love and our position in our kids’ lives. In the time where the world, where our fears, and even other forces in the church make it seem like our work is small, may we be reminded of our higher calling, and that the purpose that flows out of the love we have for our kids can make us “complete.”

—Ross Cochran, Innovations

Father, we pray these things in the name of your Son and through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Amen.