The Prayer – Breath of Life Women's Ministries

by Freida Harrison

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV1984)

Tears of joy sprang to my eyes as I read the email from my niece telling me of the exciting happenings in the life of her son, Everett. At the young age of sixteen, Everett is the assistant editor and sports column writer of his high school newspaper. He also writes a sports column for the city newspaper. Those responsibilities provided him with the opportunity to interview four of the Texas Rangers baseball players!

While that is exciting news and a major event for a writer, it was not the focus of the email. What my niece most wanted me to see was a photograph of Everett praying with four-time all-star and American League MVP, Josh Hamilton. After his interview with Mr. Hamilton, my great-nephew asked if he could pray for him. Hamilton agreed, and the picture of the two of them praying together generated those joyful tears that slid silently down my face.

Everett’s mother and father have reason to be proud of their faithful son for being the person God has called him to be. And I am thankful for Mr. Hamilton’s acceptance of the prayers that were and continue to be offered up on his behalf by people who believe in him and care about his welfare.

Everett’s thoughtfulness, understanding heart, and his courage to ask Mr. Hamilton if he could pray for him touched my heart. A young man interviewing professional athletes, writing about them, then praying openly and fearlessly, fosters hope and faith in our youth and in the future of our country.

That one act of mercy on the part of Everett was enormous. What a blessing to witness a teenager working for God and praying for others. Would I have been that bold? Or would shyness have made me walk away from such an opportunity? That makes me examine myself and contemplate my calling from God. Am I living that calling?

What a joy to observe this young man being the godly example for us all. Thank you Everett for your wonderful reminder.

Heavenly Father, thank you very much for our Christian young people and the way they serve you with loving-kindness. I pray that your light will continue to shine through them. Thank you for their wonderful parents who have brought them up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Parenting children is a difficult task, and Lord I pray that you will continue to guide all the mothers and fathers who are teaching their children about your love. They are working diligently to teach them about Jesus and his example for us. Please bless the young ones with understanding hearts and a willingness to receive their parents’ instruction. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (emphasis mine)
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV84)