Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (II Timothy 2:22)
Dear Father,
The temptations of youth as hard. Peers encourage to "try" things. Maintaining sexual purity when the hormones are flowing at fever pitch is extremely difficult. In Paul's instructions to Timothy, though, he wisely tells Timothy that one cannot simply focus on the negative - don't do this or don't do that - rather it is critical to focus on the positives.
I pray these children focus on what they wish to do - pursuing righteousness, increasing their knowledge and faith in you, loving and ministering to people and working to secure peace - peace in their community, in their church and in the world. And by that focus, Lord, help them to push temptations to the side so that they do not have so strong a pull. May they understand the importance not to simply say "no" to temptation, but to flee - to run. Give them your strength in this, because the human will is simply not sufficient.
Amen
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