Did you know that one of Youth for Christ's core values is prayer? It states:

On the first Monday of each month we, as a Youth for Christ family, have the opportunity to do just that. We "get to" pray and fast for the young people in our nations who desperately need to hear the good news of the Gospel - the Gospel of the Kingdom - which is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). And our world really needs righteousness, peace and joy right now!

I use the words "get to" very intentionally. It is easy in our Christian life and ministry to slip over to doing things out of a sense of duty, and not with as much joy. We could, at times, see it is the first Monday of the month and remember it is the day of prayer and fasting. So we, maybe reluctantly, do our "duty" of praying and fasting for young people, tick it off our "to do" list and get on with the rest of our agenda. And when we are bogged down in the challenges of daily life and ministry, what used to be done with joy and delight might end up becoming dull and burdensome.

So, in this new year, how can we have a reset in our desire to pray and fast for young people and our mission? To put it simply: by desiring Jesus. As we begin to prioritise our first love, as we go deeper into an abiding relationship with Him, our hearts will be realigned with His priorities and purposes and we will pray out of a deep love for Him and others. We will realise that prayer is an absolute privilege - we have access to the very heart of God because of what Christ has done for us on the cross. We "get to" present our requests to the Almighty God of the universe and see Him answer.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." (John 15:4-9 ESV)

I encourage us all, especially our leadership teams across the world, to not just set aside a date in the calendar for prayer and fasting, but to live out a lifestyle of deep abiding prayer. A date in the calendar is just an opportunity for us to come together intentionally, in unity and agreement, to say "we take this seriously, we want to see young people transformed by the Gospel and we know that prayer is a vital part of that."

So join me Monday, February 1, to pray and fast for the salvation of young people everywhere, and that we will hear the Holy Spirit in how to be more effective in bringing the Gospel to them.

Lyndal Walker

International Prayer Director

P.S. For some ideas on what to do on a day of prayer and fasting, click here.

For fasting guidelines, click here.

If you would like more resources for you or your team on prayer and fasting, please let me know and I will put some resources together. I believe the best way to learn what to do is by just starting and doing it, asking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in the process. And if you have any great resources you've discovered along the way, please send them to me.

Some reflection questions for you and your team: