We were talking about what it was like when our kids were younger. Laughing as we remembered the silly-but-sweet things they used to do. But she suddenly got serious, this sweet mom of a 12-year-old.
“What’s it like to have a teenager,” she asked me, “I just want to be prepared before it hits me.”
“Well,” I smiled, “it’s a rollercoaster, but I’m not screaming yet.” (Ahem, on most days, at least.)
It is quite the journey, isn’t it? Traveling through the teen years with our children. Lots of curveballs, a boatload of questions. Days that warm your heart. And days that leave you speechless (in more ways than one).
But today, I want to put aside my parenting hat for a bit. I want to look at this from their side of the room.
What’s it like being a teen or tween today?
Honestly? I don’t know.
When I was a teen, most of life happened in the real-world. Chatting out loud, not on Insta. Playing outside, not online. There was no know-it-all, see-it-all, endlessly scrolling screen. No pressure to be always “connected”.
Today’s world is different.
And while I may not completely comprehend what it’s like, researchers the world over are trying to piece this puzzle together.
- A recent field study in Kolkata suggests that a large percentage of youth are struggling silently.
- A PEW survey found that a majority of parents and teens agree: being a teen today is harder than it used to be.
- Across the world, studies are pointing to the same alarming trend – the rising rates of teen depression.
If this is not the reality in our own homes right now, let’s stop right here and praise God for that! We are truly blessed!
But surely, we’ve seen enough around us to know this pressure is real – teens smiling on the outside, silently breaking down inside. Growing up in a world that’s always online, always “influencing,” always watching and commenting. It can be a bit too much at times. And some are quietly struggling under the weight of it all.
How do we help them? Where do we start?
Right where we are. With prayer.
Now, I’ve often heard people say: “The least I can do is pray.” Let’s set the record straight.
Praying is not the least we can do. It’s the most powerful thing we can do. It moves heaven and draws down the power of God into our lives.
Gen Z is right in the middle of a war for their hearts, minds, and relationships. And prayer is our strongest weapon.
If real impact is what we’re after, we need to get down on our knees. And pray. Not just for our own children, but for every teen God has placed around us – in our communities, friends’ circles, churches, and schools.
So in this two-part series, I invite you to pause with me and do just that. Let’s lift our teens and tweens up — one intentional prayer at a time — as we walk through eight ways in which we can intercede for them.
Praying for Teens’ Hearts & Minds
Here are three prayers to cover their hearts and minds of our teens and tweens, to fill them with peace, confidence, and wisdom.
Prayer
Father, still the storm inside their minds. When anxiety rushes in like a flood, raise Your mighty hand and stop it. Wrap them in Your gentle peace that surpasses understanding. When life feels too much and they are overwhelmed, remind them that You are right there with them. Close to the brokenhearted. Let them not be anxious about anything, but draw them to You in every situation — with every need, every thought, every worry. Let Your peace guard their hearts and minds, keeping them strong and steadfast in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer
Father, remind them who they are. Your own — fearfully and wonderfully made, in your image. Carved by your hands, known by your heart, created for a purpose. When they feel unseen or unloved, whisper your truth to their soul — You see them, You know them, You delight in them. When self-doubt raises its head, draw them close to you. Be their strong tower, their refuge, their confidence, their comforter. Let them seek their true worth in You alone. Amen.
Prayer
Father, fill them with Your wisdom. To think clearly, to question prudently. Don’t let their minds be shaped by the noise around them. Shape them with Your truth. Renew their thinking so they are not conformed to this world. Help them discern what is good, acceptable, praiseworthy, and honorable. Guide them to think on these things. Let Your truth silence every screaming voice in their minds. Renew them, strengthen them, build them up. Amen.
A hedge of protection
There’s no denying it: Teens today are facing pressures we never did. It’s not just school, college, parents, and friends anymore. It’s the whole world — claiming their attention, shaping who they are. So let’s go down on our knees for them. Today and every day. For our own teens, their classmates and friends, the teens around us. Let’s pray for them by name.
Come, join me, and we’ll build a hedge of protection around them, starting today.
Read next: Eight Powerful Prayers Our Teens & Tweens Need Today – Part 2
In faith,
