Vindicate the weak and the fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
Rescue the weak and needy;
Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.
They do not know nor do they understand;
They walk about in darkness.
- Psalm 82:3-5
As I meditated upon these verses recently, the Lord directed my thoughts towards the children and young people of our city. My heart grew heavy as I thought about them being fatherless and needy . . . of their walking about in darkness . . . of their being enslaved to wickedness. I began to grieve.
Then I thought about a youth pastor who recently reported to a gathering of pastors that less than 4% of young people today could be considered believers. He also reported that the younger generation has surpassed Baby Boomers as the largest demographic block in this country.
Assuming that the percentage of believing Baby Boomers is greater than 4% (and I have every reason to believe that is the case), what will happen to the Christian influence in this country as the older generation passes away? Will the influence of the Church be diminished further still?
I think not!
I believe the Lord is positioning the City of Los Angeles (indeed, our nation) for revival, and I believe that our youth will play a key role. Just as thousands of students volunteered to carry the gospel abroad in a movement that swept over this country nearly 125 years ago, I believe that God will awaken many thousands of young people in this current era to carry the Light of Christ's gospel into the world's last remaining areas of darkness. The world is in desperate need, and our youth hold the key.
Unfortunately, our younger generation has yet to awaken. Many themselves remain in darkness.
And it is for just this reason that I exhort you to pray for the young people of Los Angeles:
Pray that God will cause a spiritual hunger to fall upon the youth of our city; that they will begin hungering and thirsting for God.
Pray that the spiritual eyes of young people all over Los Angeles will begin to open; that they will be drawn from darkness into light.
Pray for healing; that our Lord will heal the afflicted and destitute.
Pray for protection; that God will shield our youth from the snares and traps of the Adversary.
Pray for a great awakening; that an entire generation of young people will come to know Jesus as their Lord.
Pray that our youth will be emboldened to proclaim the gospel, even to the uttermost parts of the earth.
It is my prayer that as spiritual renewal is manifested in Los Angeles, that God receive the glory . . . that His name will be proclaimed Most High over all the earth. Amen?
As always . . . thank you for praying.
Yours because the tomb is empty,
Lyle Randles, Director of Prayer Ministry
LIFE CONNECTIONS INTERNATIONAL
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