Tag Archives: young-people

CHALLENGES YOUNG PEOPLE FACE: LEARNING TO PRAY AS JESUS PRAYED by Willie A. Alvarenga

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Another important challenge young people face today is learning to pray as Jesus prayed. Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life (Phil. 4:6–7; Heb. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:17). One cannot live according to God’s will unless the practice of prayer is taken very seriously (Matt. 26:41). The Bible teaches much about our communication with God, showing that prayer strengthens faith, brings peace to the heart, and draws us closer to the Father (Ps. 55:17; Jer. 33:3). The apostle Paul emphasized the command to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 4:2; Rom. 12:12), reminding us that prayer must be constant, persistent, and full of gratitude.

This practice of prayer was very close to the heart of Jesus. He is truly our greatest and supreme example to follow regarding prayer (1 Pet. 2:21; Mk. 1:35). Throughout the Gospel accounts according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we see that Jesus practiced prayer in different contexts and key moments of His life. For example, He prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21), showing dependence on the Father from the beginning of His ministry; He prayed very early in the morning (Mark 1:35), demonstrating spiritual discipline; He prayed for long periods before making important decisions (Luke 6:12), teaching us to seek divine guidance; He prayed before eating (John 6:11), showing gratitude; He prayed for His disciples (John 17), demonstrating love and intercession; and He prayed during the most difficult moments of His life (Matt. 26:36–46; Heb. 5:7), revealing His complete submission to the will of God.

Furthermore, Jesus not only practiced prayer, but He also taught how to pray correctly. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructed His disciples about the proper attitude in prayer (Matt. 6:5–15), emphasizing sincerity, humility, and trust in God. He also taught the importance of perseverance through parables such as the persistent friend and the persistent widow (Luke 11:5–13; 18:1–8). Likewise, He showed that prayer must be offered with faith (Mark 11:24), according to God’s will (Matt. 6:10), and with a pure heart (Ps. 66:18).

This is the prayer life that every young Christian must imitate from Jesus. It is a challenge to live this way in a world full of distractions, but it is not impossible (Phil. 4:13). It requires discipline, spiritual desire, and a heart willing to please God (Col. 3:17). Constant prayer will help the young person overcome temptation, strengthen faith, and remain steadfast in the path of the Lord (Eph. 6:18).

Therefore, you are encouraged to pray to God for wisdom (James 1:5) and to learn to pray as He desires. Make prayer a daily priority in your life. The blessings you will receive by doing this will be great, for God hears His children and answers according to His perfect will (1 John 5:14–15).

Challenges Young People Face Today: “Being Wise in Choosing the Person You Want to Marry” by Willie A. Alvarenga

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Another important challenge young people face today is being very wise when choosing the person they want to marry. Sooner or later, most will seek someone to unite with in marriage and build a family in the future. However, the process of finding the right person is not easy, since it involves not only emotions, but also spiritual decisions that will affect one’s entire life. Therefore, every young person who plans to have a family should, from an early age, pray to God for the wisdom needed to make a prudent decision (James 1:5).

The Bible clearly teaches that our decisions must be guided by God and not merely by momentary feelings (Proverbs 3:5–6). Choosing a partner should not be based on physical appearance or temporary interests, but on solid spiritual principles (1 Samuel 16:7). The Christian young person must understand that marriage is a sacred union established by God (Genesis 2:24) and, therefore, requires a wise and well-thought-out decision.

Searching for a marriage partner is a serious task because it involves the following:

  1. Seeking someone who will help me reach heaven one day (Matthew 6:33).
  2. Seeking someone who truly and sincerely loves me (1 Corinthians 13:4–7).
  3. Seeking someone who cares for me in good times and in bad (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).
  4. Seeking someone who loves God above all things (Matthew 22:37).
  5. Seeking someone who deeply values Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 5:25).
  6. Seeking someone who desires to build a family according to God’s will (Psalm 127:1).
  7. Seeking someone who does not love the world or the things in it (1 John 2:15–17).
  8. Seeking someone who will not become a stumbling block to my spirituality (1 Corinthians 15:33).
  9. Seeking someone willing to fulfill their role in the home: to provide [man] and to care for the home [woman] (1 Timothy 5:8; Titus 2:4–5).
  10. Seeking someone who desires to grow spiritually with me (2 Peter 3:18).

It is also important to remember that patience is key in this process. Such an important decision should not be rushed (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Waiting on God’s timing will always bring better results (Psalm 37:4–5).

Finding a person with these qualities is not only possible, but also attainable if the young person practices spiritual wisdom, studies God’s Word consistently, and maintains a life of prayer. When God guides the decision, the result will be a relationship that not only brings happiness in this life, but also helps both individuals attain eternal life.

Challenges Young People Face: “Cultivating the Desire to Be Part of the Biblical Organization of the Church” by Willie A. Alvarenga

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One important challenge that young people face today is cultivating the desire to be part of the biblical organization of the church. When I speak of the biblical organization of the church, I am referring to the different responsibilities that God has entrusted to elders, deacons, and preachers (Philippians 1:1; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4). These roles are not human inventions, but part of God’s divine design for the proper functioning and spiritual growth of the Lord’s church

The young Christian should seriously consider the possibility of serving one day in one of these responsibilities and privileges available in the church. The Bible teaches that desiring to serve in these areas is good and honorable: “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1). Therefore, it is essential that young people grow in such a way that they develop a deep desire to serve God—whether as future elders, deacons, ministers of the Word, or as faithful, committed, and active Christians in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

It is a great challenge to think about and pray regarding becoming part of these beautiful responsibilities one day. However, this desire begins with a willing heart to serve. The brothers who currently serve as elders, deacons, and preachers also went through a process of spiritual growth, prayer, and serious reflection regarding their responsibility to serve the church in these areas (1 Timothy 3:8–13; Titus 1:5–9). No one reaches these roles overnight; it is the result of a life of preparation, faithfulness, and maturity in Christ.

The Bible also presents examples of young people who chose to serve God from an early age, such as Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6–7). These servants understood that age is not a limitation to begin serving, but an opportunity to prepare more effectively.

We encourage all young Christians to diligently study the Scriptures so that they may be well prepared to serve the Lord’s church in the future. Knowledge of God’s Word is essential for anyone who desires to serve (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Psalm 119:11). Likewise, it is important to develop Christian qualities such as a good example, discipline, humility, and love for souls (1 Timothy 4:12).

Preaching schools can be a great blessing in training men for the work of elders, deacons, or gospel preachers. However, preparation also begins at home, within the local congregation, and in the daily life of the Christian (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).

If you begin to reflect, prepare, and pray from an early age, God can bless you with the wonderful opportunity to serve the church in different capacities. Remember that serving God is both a privilege and a responsibility (Colossians 3:23–24). I encourage you to place your life in the Lord’s hands and allow Him to use you for His honor and glory.