Covid Burnout — Pandemic Fatigue
A recent report on the status of the American emotional climate stated that teens are the “hardest hit” group when it comes to casualties of Covid. They feel trapped. They are vulnerable. Teen suicides are on the rise.
Being a teen is tough to begin with, right Grannies and Moms? But our teens are facing a condition for which you and I have no experience. We have to dig deep and search for ways to help our teens through this.
My dear Sister in Christ, Michelle (yes, the Toastmaster of “Jesus Speech” fame) gave me a prayer book for teens for Christmas — Every Day I Pray for My Teenager, by Eastman Curtis. I looked at the index, found an entry for “JOY”, (page 41) and immediately knew I was to share it with you.
This is a loving prayer for your teen, troubled or not, male or female, Believer or not. (Scripture citations follow my close.)
“Heavenly Father…flood [my teen] with Your joy, causing a continual gladness in his/her heart! (1)…Allow Your joy to energize and strengthen him today.(2) Give him the strength to withstand every adversity that may come his way.(3) Let his heart have a continual celebration because of what You have done for him.
“I declare victory over the spirit of heaviness in his life and ask You to replace it with the garment of praise!(4) Thank You, God, that the devil cannot steal his joy.(5) …Such joy will remain with him throughout his life(6) and will affect others. I pray people will see Jesus in his countenance.(7) In Jesus’ name!”
That’s what we want for our young adults, isn’t it — strong in The Lord, full of His Joy, and willing to share their faith with others!
Remember to share stories from your life — those of your troubled teen years. If we admit that we really don’t know exactly what they’re going through, we can add, “But Jesus does!”
Ruth Bell Graham has written a book and a prayer book about prodigals. Let’s follow her plan. “I must faithfully, patiently, lovingly, and happily do my part – then quietly wait for God to do His.”
01/14/21
Phil 4:4 (1), Neh 8:10 (2), Prov 24:10 (3), IS 61:3 (4), 1 John 1:4 (5), John 15:11 (6), Acts 2:28 (7)