Your prayer for the young men has come before us and we do heartily join our hearts with yours at the throne of grace.
We have taken up that ancient petition, Lord, open the eyes of the young man, that he may see, for we know that a clear perception that the Lord observes all that we do will be a very useful protection in the hour of temptation. It is our hope and expectation that God will graciously convince these young men of His own Divine Presence, which is a benediction to them especially in commencing life. We may expect a speedy answer, for God hears prayer.
We pray that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, according to 2 Peter 3:18, and that they may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that they may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, as it is written in Colossians 1:9 to 12.
We ask the Lord to train them to exercise themselves unto godliness, as in 1 Timothy 4:7, and to give them diligence to study to shew themselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth, according to 2 Timothy 2:15. May they be taught to pray always and not to faint, as our Lord taught in Luke 18, to rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, and to continue instant in prayer with all perseverance and supplication in the Spirit, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Ephesians 6:18.
We invoke upon them the priestly blessing of Numbers 6, that the Lord bless them and keep them and make His face shine upon them. We ask for wisdom for them, believing the promise of James 1:5 that if any lack wisdom he may ask of God who giveth liberally. We pray that love may abound in them, love toward God with all heart and soul and mind and strength, and love toward neighbour as themselves, according to Mark 12:30 and 31, and that this love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment, that they may approve things that are excellent and be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, according to Philippians 1:9 to 11.
We pray that the fruit of the Spirit may be seen in them, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, as in Galatians 5:22, and that the end of the commandment may be charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned, according to 1 Timothy 1:5. We ask that they may hunger for the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby, as in 1 Peter 2:2, and that the Father of glory may give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of their understanding being enlightened, according to Ephesians 1:17 to 20.
We pray for their healing and strengthening, for the Lord who forgives iniquities and heals diseases and redeems life from destruction, as in Psalm 103:2 to 5, and by whose stripes we are healed, as declared in Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24. We ask that they may learn to pray as Christ taught His disciples in Luke 11, and that they may be true worshippers who worship the Father in spirit and in truth, according to John 4:23. We pray that the gifts of the Spirit may be distributed among them for the profit of the whole body, according to 1 Corinthians 12, and that they may go forth to preach the gospel to every creature, the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following, according to Mark 16:15 to 20. We join them in intercession for souls, that watchmen may never hold their peace day nor night, according to Isaiah 62:1 to 6, and that supplications and prayers may be made for all men, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who will have all men to be saved, according to 1 Timothy 2:1 to 4.
And we earnestly pray that they may be kept from temptation and delivered from evil, according to Matthew 6:13 and Luke 11:4, that they may be kept from the evil one, as Christ prayed in John 17:15, and be preserved from sin and guile. The soul of our prayer must be the prayer of our soul. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force, and the Lord is willing to open the door to those who knock, but they must knock hard.
We would remind these young men that the model young man in Scripture is described as strong because the Word of God abideth in him and he hath overcome the Wicked One, as in 1 John 2:14. May it be so with them, that they be strong in the Lord and not conformed to the world, but steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
We offer this prayer in humble confidence, believing that whatsoever we ask in prayer we shall receive, according to Mark 11:24, and we ask it in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom alone is salvation, trusting His perfect work and pleading His righteousness, that these young men may be kept blameless and fruitful until the day of Christ Jesus, and that their lives may show forth His praise. Amen.
Spiritual growth of young men, 2 Peter 3:18, Col 1:9-12, Disciplined Spiritual Duties, 1 Tim 4:7, Study, 2 Tim 2:15, Pray, Luke 18:1-3, 1 Thes 5:16-18, Eph 6:18-19, Blessing, Num 6:22-27, Wisdom, James 1:5, Love from God, for God, for Self, and Others, Mk 12:30-31, love, knowledge discernment, wise choices, blameless lives filled with the fruits of righteousness until day of Christ Jesus, Phil 1:9-11, fruit of The Holy Spirit, Gal 5:22-23, love from pure heart, good conscience, sincere faith, 1 Tim 1:5, healing, Ps 103:2-5, Isa 53:5, 1 Pet 2:24, grow in prayer, Luke 11:1-11, Hunger for Word, 1 Pet 2:2, revelation, Eph 1:17-20, evangelism with miracles, signs & wonders, Mark 16:15-20, worship, Jn 4:23, gifts of The Holy Spirit, 1 Cor 12:4-8, intercession, souls saved, Isa 62:1-6, 1 Tim 2:1-4, rejoicing, prayer, thankfulness, 1 Thes 5:16-18, Phil 4:6-7 -- Protect them from temptation, Lk 11:4. sin, Zeph 3:13, 1 Cor 8:1, temptation, and evil one Matt 6:13, Jn 17:15, -- Thank you in advance, Mk 11:23-24, Jesus' Name.
