Prayer: Day 20

“How can a young man keep his ways pure? By guarding it according to your Word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments.” Psalm 119:9-10 (ESV)

When my children were young, I decided the greatest virtue I could pray for them was “purity.” If this became their aim early in life, they’d be set up for great success later in life, especially for marriage.

I talked often about purity of heart and mind. I challenged them to make it their highest aim. I truly believed hitting this mark would allow all other things to fall into place.

Until God spoke one morning.

“You are missing the mark, Beloved. Make ME their highest aim, not purity. Make me the bullseye, for everything else is a moving target.”

I sat in silence, convicted. Purity had been held out to me as a teen. And I missed the mark.

Suddenly, it all became clear.

My aim was a word, not The Word. My aim was a purity plan, not the person of Jesus.

We miss the mark when we stand on shifting sand. Thankfully, the Rock is available to our teens. And as their parents, we have been given the privilege of training them in the way of wise living by inviting the Word, who is Jesus, to become big in their lives. The world is clamoring to trip them up and capture their hearts, but it is no match for our beautiful Savior. May God be so attractive to our teens that all other pursuits grow dim.

Lord, Parenting teens can be one crazy ride. They grow more independent each day, but they still need our covering. They have answers, but Your wisdom and guidance are needed all the more in their decision making. May You grant us wise words to point them in the right direction so that their feet will be firmly planted on The Rock that never shifts. Amen.

-Amy

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