At KHOP this week the Lord had us spend focused time on a significant issue concerning children and youth in the Body of Christ in this nation. Through 2 Chronicles 7:14, He had us make a circle of teens representing unity, while the rest of the group encircled them and laid hands on them to pray. The teens were led to stand in the gap on behalf of their generation and to repent for boredom, disinterest, disengagement, succumbing to peer pressure (it’s not cool to pursue the Lord wholeheartedly and passionately), and for worshiping things intended for pleasure (idolatry and adultery of affections). These things need to be broken off the children and youth (adults as well) of this generation and replaced with hunger, passion, wholehearted love, and the all-consuming fire of the Lord and His Kingdom, not only for their purpose and destinies to be fulfilled rather than stolen by the enemy for the world’s purposes, but also because of the influence teens carry on the younger children who look up to them and imitate their behaviors and attitudes; who observe and copy their every move.

“Oh Lord, when are we going to break through and be empowered by the Spirit in such a way that the children’s hearts are drawn to You, Father? When are their hearts going to be focused on Jesus as their hero? When are the supernatural things of the Kingdom of Heaven going to be more exciting to them than video games, sports, cell phones, entertainment and all of the temporal blessings that were never meant to replace the eternal?”

The Spirit of the Lord fell on one of my daughters and she prayed the following: “You are called to be leaders not followers. Rise up and do not be ashamed of the calling I have for you. You are called to take authority in the name of Jesus. You don’t even have a clue of the great battle that’s going on for your purpose: don’t wave it off…don’t pass it by. If you don’t stand for it now the devil could steal the plans I have for you. Stand up for what you believe in. Stand up for what you’ve been taught. Stand up for what you know is right. When you do, you will have a great impact, not necessarily in the world but in the spiritual realm. Do not store up your treasures on earth but instead let your treasures be stored up in Heaven. Look beyond the wealth of the world, beyond the riches, beyond the fame, beyond the fortune. When you do, even if you live a lowly life on earth in Heaven you will be blessed (something to that effect). Father God I ask for a hunger to be stirred up…that they would be filled with zeal and passion for God…for fire to be ignited in them that cannot be quenched.” (These words in particular were declared over the teen boys. We had them prophetically stand up, as in taking a literal stand and sang spontaneously and prophetically for breakthrough and for His fire to fall.)

Children and youth are wired to “check in” when they are interested and to “check out” when they’re not…the Lord created this generation to be exactly who they are for Him and His Kingdom purposes. When are we as adults going to stop letting the enemy distract and pervert all that was intended for good for our kids (the adults repented for bringing many of the entertaining distractions into our homes and allowing them to replace their affections for the Lord)? When is Jesus and all that He is, going to draw the children and teens wholeheartedly to Himself? Are we as a Body crying out Malachi 4:5-6 continuously…that He would send the spirit of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers…to THE FATHER of fathers? When is Jesus going to be their One and only…the superhero of this generation…the rock star/movie star/football star of this generation? When is He going to be the One who engages them, excites them and motivates them in such a way: that signs and wonders will actually follow them?; that we would see the greater works He said we would do?; that the enemy must flee (I’m believing for the day when the enemy has to say while on the run, “Oh crud…here they come!”…when a generation takes back all the devil has stolen from the Kingdom of God)?

When Jesus walked the earth the children were not disengaged. Rather, they wanted to come to Him for blessings even when the adults around Him wanted to shoo them away. They wanted to be near Him. Jesus even declared that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them and that all must receive His Kingdom as a child. They obviously carefully observed what He did and listened to what He taught or they wouldn’t have broken into praises in Matthew 21:12-16 (the adults in this group were actually indignant because of the praises of the children). Wherever Jesus went there were multitudes, and in the midst of those multitudes there were children and youth; listening to His voice, observing what He did and praising Him for what they saw and heard…for who He was.

Scripture tell us it’s “not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6); in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24)? When are we going to take authority/see from His perspective/hear His strategies and pray for revelation/increased measure of the seven-fold Spirit of the Lord, understanding, wisdom, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord…fervently intercede for the spirit of Elijah to pour out and draw our children to become today’s Samuels, Esthers, Davids, Jeremiahs, and Daniels, who all received their callings at young ages because they’d been taught to pursue their relationship with Him at a young age and that was the lifestyle they knew. Therefore, they could be trusted at young ages to accomplish mighty things for the glory of God. Jesus Himself astounded everyone by age 12 (and very likely prior to that age) with His supernatural wisdom (which, by the way is available to each one of us today through Him who makes all things possible, regardless of age). If we are going to live victoriously and be the overcomers Scripture exhorts us to be, the first thing we have to learn is how to be in relationship with Him, desire it, make time for it, and learn to listen and obey…Eli taught Samuel those things from the time he was 3 or 4 years of age…to assist Him in the service of the Lord. Eli was a priest and taught Samuel all of the priestly duties…including being in His presence continually (Samuel slept near the Ark). Jesus is our High Priest and our example, praying on our behalf 24/7. We should be assisting Him in what He has called us to do all the days of our lives…through seeking in His presence continually, listening and obeying.

David pursued His relationship with the Lord while out in the fields as a young boy tending his father’s sheep. Esther, Jeremiah and Daniel were singled out by the favor of the Lord as young teen agers for big tasks because of their devotion to Him; as I recall so was the mother of Jesus. (If any of today’s kids or youth could pursue a deep, personal friendship with any hero or star of their choice, regardless of age, they would have no problem figuring out how to do that, nor would they have to fight off disinterest, boredom or distraction. Our kids have access to the spirit of the living God dwelling within them…all of the Old Testament examples mentioned, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, didn’t have access to that because Jesus hadn’t come yet.) The Lord commanded us to continuously teach His ways to our children in Deuteronomy 6…Jesus came to fulfill the Law in us, not do away with it…to enable us to live it out through the empowering of His Spirit living within us. This teaching isn’t just for the church of the future…it is for the living, breathing, moving multigenerational, multidenominational, multicultural Body of Christ today.

It’s time for us to teach this generation how to be a kingdom and priests (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6;5:10)…living sacrifices who worship Him, pray to Him and fast the things that distract, disengage, and cause Him and the things He desires to call us to/reveal to us to be boring and not cool. Is fasting (television, junk food, playtime, shopping, cell phones, internet, video games, and all of the things this generation indulges in that contribute to “checking out” for worship/devotions/teaching of the Word) to get more of the presence of the Lord part of your/your kids’ lifestyles? Our culture screams “self” (it’s all about me) everywhere we go. We are in a battle and we need to declare “selfless” over our kids more than the culture screams the opposite, and teach them to deny their flesh. Jesus said, “worship in Spirit and in truth”…”when you pray…” “when you fast…” The Son of God worshiped His Father in Heaven. He prayed alone many times all through the night to receive His instructions for the day, which means He knew how to listen and then He obeyed what He heard. Jesus Himself fasted to be empowered by the Spirit for the work His Father had sent Him here to do. Why do we take these things for granted and think we are exempt? Why do we teach that those things are no longer necessary or relevant, or even that they are just a good story about what Jesus did when He walked the earth? Why do we think that children can’t get these things, when we totally embrace putting them in the activities of the world – sports, music, art, preschool, movies, video games, cell phones, etc., etc., etc. – at very young ages so they can “get” all the things the culture says they are supposed to get. Why do we not understand that teaching these things when they are young produces the very Spirit-empowered character strengths/fruits that will empower them to keep their purity; to not give in to peer pressure in the areas of substance abuse; to enter into marriage covenants that last a lifetime; to understand and protect the sanctity of life, etc., etc., etc…

I can’t help but ask these questions, because something is very wrong. I’m not talking about those who do not yet know Him. I’m talking about Spirit-led, Spirit-filled services where the Spirit of God is moving and many are responding through praise, worship, prayer, dance, instruments, etc…everyone except most of the teens and children, who just sit there…in church after church…like they’ve seen it all before; or they don’t know what to do; or thinking the service is too long, the music is too loud, the whole thing is boring, wanting to color; or thinking they’d rather be doing this and that…etc., etc., etc…I’m talking about the most recent Barna studies that indicate the church is failing and our kids are leaving by the droves. The generation wants relationship…they want reality…they want excitement. Jesus is all those things and so much more. The children and youth in Jesus’ times burst into praise after observing all that He had done…something is very wrong when that’s not happening consistently today, and I know that it’s nothing we can do in our own strength…striving won’t get us there. Jesus was all about others and never about Himself. He was never about what He liked, what He didn’t like, what He wanted to do, what He didn’t want to do. He sacrificed everything for others, including His very life from the time He was a child (being about His Father’s business). The only way we are going to be light in a selfish society is to be selfless on behalf of others. The only way we can teach this to the next generation is by teaching them to diligently deny themselves of fleshly whim and wants, and by being continuously and deliberately led by His Spirit ourselves as examples. Being filled with and empowered by the Spirit will enable us and them. They need to be taught how/encouraged to pursue Him/how to enter into His presence/how to respond to and obey Him from the earliest of ages…the spirit of God is not limited by age on either end of the spectrum…we are without excuse, according to the Scriptures (Jeremiah 1; Romans 1:20 (reading this whole passage is recommended).

This generation is not supposed to be a prodigal generation who eventually learns how to pursue the Lord after trying out everything else the world has to offer and then returning to rejoice because of what He delivered them from or out of…yes, there will be always be those individuals as long as this world exists…praise God it’s never too late and praise God that His mercies are always new and amazing! However, this rising generation of believers is supposed to have their focus on Jesus all the days of their lives in such a way that He can do the greater works He said we would do in and through Him. This generation is supposed to know and serve Him intimately all the days of their lives and to carry His glory, His power, His authority and His dominion wherever He sends us…the empowered Body of Christ that provokes others to jealousy in yearning to know the mighty God we serve…the King of kings and Lord of lords, ruling and reigning in power and in glory…the One who loves, protects and provides for His children…the One who sits on His throne making His enemies His footstool!

My spirit is deeply concerned and stirred for the children and youth…they have been created for such a time as this. The praise of their lips has been ordained and perfected by Him to silence the enemy. We are living in the days when we need to train our children to be arrows in His quiver – the mighty weapons He sees in them – available to Him whenever and wherever to aim/send out and cause damage to the kingdom of darkness. We are living in the days when the enemy needs silencing in every area he has sought/is seeking to devour (he has temporarily succeeded in many arenas): our government, our economy, our media, our education, our religion, our entertainment (music, art, drama, sports, fashion, etc., etc., etc.) and our families. The Lord’s eyes are searching continuously for those whose hearts are turned toward Him/focused on Him desiring the Lion of Judah to roar through them and manifest His heartbeat, His will, and the economy of Heaven here on earth…I don’t believe He has ordained or prefaced an age appropriate qualification anywhere in Scripture; contrarily, He has provided many examples of those He has trained, called forth, raised up and used from very young ages.

Rise up, children of the Lord, and set your eyes, your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength on Jesus! Learn how to listen to His voice and obey what He says…worship Him alone! Be the kingdom and priests He has called you to be. Then, watch what He will do in and through you, O mighty warriors!