Five Strategic Ways to Pray for the Coming Year

As we approach the heavily anticipated and also heavily dreaded school year for the late teens to early twenty somethings embarking on college campuses, we must actively pray for them and what is at hand for the coming year and all they will encounter. 

1. Pray for the Freshman

    Pray for the incoming class that will be experiencing everything new for the very first time. For those that will be entering new cities and new dorms to live in as well as the ones commuting from home, pray that they will settle well into their new lives. Pray that they will realize the need for Christ in their lives even as they leave home that they may actively pursue him through every aspect of their lives, that they may bring him glory. Pray that they will stand firm in their faith and not be swayed by all that is around them even though they aren't under parental control anymore. Pray that they will find a body of believers to actively be a part of in worship weekly, pouring into the church as well as ministries on campus to reach out and share Christ to those in their surroundings. 

2. Pray for the Sophomores and Juniors 

    Pray for those coming back for their second and third years that they may continue to seek and pursue Christ in all aspects. That they may continue to glorify him throughout their studies and be a light to those around them. Pray that they begin to look for ways to pour into the next generation that is coming in and point them to Christ. Pray that they will find patience and rest in God knowing that he is in control of all, even when plans start to drastically change from major choice to what is going to happen with their life.

3. Pray for the Seniors 

    Pray for the seniors (or super seniors as some are) that they will even in the end, see how their lives can continue to honor and glorify the Father. Pray that though they are in the final stretch of their college career for most, that they will still see their role is important in pouring into the younger students, actively discipling them in Christ. That they may take their leadership roles humbly and with a willingness to serve in whatever aspects to glorify the Father. Pray that they may have peace and rest and ease of mind of what is actually coming in May as they prepare for life after college. Pray for their transitions from college life to graduate/real world life that will soon come in the next few months. 

4. Pray for the Faculty 

    Pray that the faculties hearts may be softened that we as students may proclaim the gospel in whatever ways we may have the opportunity for. Pray that we will actively seek ways to minister to them though they are our professors, that they may see Christ's love through our actions and school and ultimately that seeds may be planted that they may come to know Christ. 

5. Pray for the Campus Ministries

    Lastly, pray for the campus ministries that are about to be in full swing again. Pray that they may humble themselves before the Lord that they may make him known and glorify him through their worship and fellowship throughout the year. That they may have an active presence of reaching out to the students on campus that they may come to know Christ. Pray for the campus ministers that they may not become overwhelmed with their responsibilities but that they will find rest in the Lord and look to him for strength in ministry. That the Lord may use them as instruments and speak through them that we may learn and grow in the Word together. Pray that we all may grow and active fruit may be seen from these ministries in the lives of the students.  

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." -1 Corinthians 15:58

The Stability Found in Uncertainty

Throughout most of my college career, I have been in a place of uncertainty. Uncertainty in the way my life would be heading. I came in with big plans for my life, then all of a sudden, one semester, these plans crashed and burned to the ground. It was a trying time yet I came to a great place in my walk with Christ. I truly learned what resting on him meant. As it says in 1 Peter 5:6-7:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

His care for us is immeasurable. I mean he sent his only son to die on the cross to save us sinners from the wrath we deserved, so why wouldn't we go to him with our burdens in life? Why not humble ourselves before him? There is no reason. This is a very hard concept to grasp and it was hard for me to learn. It was difficult for me to relinquish what I thought I had control over, when in all actuality it was God directing and molding my path. It was great I had the desires to pursue dreams and had made plans for what was in store, but with that we must have the understanding that they might not go that way or take the same path we envisioned to accomplish them. That is okay. It is okay to not know what is next.

And with not knowing brings a whole slew of emotions and fears. It brings much anxiety and worrisome thoughts to mind about what we will do when we graduate, who we will marry, should we change our major, what school to attend, and many others. When we truly cast our burdens on him, however, and humble ourselves in his presence, we find rest. We find the comfort of the father who cares for us. Because he cares, we know we will be okay. With being okay brings the question, are we doing what we're supposed to? How do we know? We can know by pursuing him and building his kingdom that we are in his will and pursuing the right path for our lives. As Kevin DeYoung states in his book, Just Do Something, "The will of God for our lives is that we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. The most important decision we face is the daily decision to live for Christ and die to self.1"If that is our most important decision, then we should find rest knowing that we don't know what's next. As long as we are pursuing Christ, we are in his will and doing what we are called to do. I received great advice from a mentor once from Psalm 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

As he was explaining the verse with the analogy of the lamp, he stated that God's revealed plan for us is like a lamp. With a lamp it only shines to a certain extent. We see a little bit at a time because he knows if we knew the entire thing we wouldn't be able to handle it. We cannot handle what our entire lives will amount to, but we can handle the fact that our Lord who is sovereign cares for us and is in control. He knows what is in store for our lives and that is a great understanding and feeling upon which we can rest. You may still be walking through a period of uncertainty about what is next or are unsure about what decision to make like myself, but trust me in this: the Lord knows and we can go before him humbly to cast what anxiety and burdens of life we have. We can find stability in the uncertainty with the Lord. As Hannah prays in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 we must also,

"And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."

_____________________
1. DeYoung, K. (2009). Just Do Something. Chicago, IL : Moody Publishers.

 Photo found at www.homeschoolstory.com

A Letter to the Editor

Dear My Little Big Bro,

I thought, since it is your birthday, we would reminisce a little and enjoy a few throwbacks from our past ...

Looks like we always had the best poses...

And faces

And then there was the matching...

Oh how I don't miss the matching 

Looks like the calmest fight we ever had

We always went hard for Halloween 

A selfie before it was a thing perhaps?

 It is an incredible blessing to be able to have you not only as a brother by blood but a brother in Christ. Though we had our moments growing up, we truly came to have a deep bond as brothers as we grew older, in understanding and sharpening each other in the Word for the glory of God. It has been amazing to see how you have grown into this leader for your family and I look forward to seeing how God may use you as you continue your education and then go from there to proclaim the gospel in whatever context. You have set an incredible example for myself as I continue to grow in my faith and I am extremely thankful for your advice and understanding of my life and writing as I venture further into the blogging world. I'm extremely grateful for your support and hope you enjoy your first birthday as a father! Hope you've enjoyed the look into the past!

Love, 

Your Big Little Bro