“Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin;
pour out your heart like waterin the presence of the Lord.
Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children,
who faint from hunger at the end of every street”
Lamentations 2vs.19

This was the message we sen't out at our youth service last weekend, inviting members of the congregation to commit long term to becoming a "prayer buddy" for the young people who come through the doors of our youth organisations. Its been on our hearts as leaders that this generation needs our prayers more than ever, and that God will answer the prayers of his people again and rise up a generation of passionate young Christians who will take the love of Christ back to the streets.
The service took the form of an insight into the life of a 21st century teenager, exploring youth culture today and the pressures of the world that are seeking to capture the lives of our young people. We then set out the challenge for members of the congregation to play their part in "lifting up their hands and pouring out their heart" for this generation.
In researching for this I came across some interesting, and somewhat shocking stats

• every 7 seconds someone in Britian is being bullied
• 37% of young people in Northern Ireland live below the poverty threshold
• 62% of young people studied would say they have some level of sexual experience
• 59% of 11-16 year olds would have an alcoholic drink on a weekly basis

Despite all these pressures I firmly believe God will use this generation to revive his body the church on these shores and beyond. I personally have experienced the power of prayer, and know it was the prayers of my family and commited christians in my school that saved my soul and brought me to repentance and faith in Christ from the depths of sin. And God can do likewise for the many lost prodigals who are desperately searching for meaning in life.

As Linkin Park put it :
“ I WANT TO HEAL; I WANT TO FEEL;
LIKE I’M CLOSE TO SOMETHING REAL;
I WANT TO FIND SOMETHING I’VE WANTED ALL ALONG;
SOMEWHERE I BELONG”

Young people are searching for somewhere to belong throughout this land and beyond, if only the church would hear their cry.