The past few weeks, I felt strongly the need to connect with God’s heart in praying for the next generation (Millennials, Gen Z and beyond).

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs form the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert…Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is in the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:5-8

I have been gripped and sobered by the reality that there are other generations coming up after me who are being raised in a spiritual wasteland. The landscape of society is becoming more and more Godless, but I am still contending for an awakening among our nation’s youth. We can’t afford to cast them aside, write them off or stop reaching after them because of the great cultural divides. Now more then ever, our hearts must turn to them. I believe the unfiltered power and witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ still eviscerates every cultural barrier because it is the only thing that can answer the deepest cry of their heart—the cry for acceptance, the cry for healing, the cry for greatness, the cry for intimacy, the cry for fascination and fulfillment. The cross of Christ is still the only tree that can give shade from the scorching heat of sin and bring us into life-giving fellowship with God.

So when this next generation comes looking for spiritual life, shelter and food, will I be like a shrub or like a tree that is planted in the LORD and ready to provide what is needed?

Lord, help us to turn our hearts toward our children. Help us see that the time and effort we spend praying, fasting and seeking You in Your Word is part of how we do this. This is how we put our trust in You. Now is the time to get planted, to strengthen our roots, so when the drought comes, we will be ready to be like these trees that Your Word speaks of…for the healing of the nations.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits on the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

Psalm 1:1-3

“That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

Revelation 22:1-2

In His Service,

Nick Russo

The Community Prayer Room (CPR) is an initiative to host worship and prayer meetings where we exalt Jesus, meditate on His Word and contend for revival in the Texas Hill Country unto the ends of the earth. We are currently hosting weekly prayer meetings for our community and monthly 24-hour prayer watches based out of Venture Church in Burnet, TX.

To listen to some of our sets, visit our YouTube or Soundcloud