This world can often distract and discourage. We often find ourselves fixated on the news because of the violence ripping across our headlines. Fear grips and paralyzes our hearts and actions. We are encouraged to hold our loved ones close and our children even closer. Our knees quiver as we lift ourselves from our bedsides each day, where we pray for our country and our families.

Dear friends, today I would petition you to let go of your children and lift up your heads. Release the white-knuckled grasp that we have upon them. Pray on our knees, but then get up and brush them off. Look up… because hope is rising. Not only do I feel it in my heart, I see it every day. Out of this broken, desperate, and sad world, I see leaders coming. I see the youth rising up and “taking the baton.” If you are looking for hope, look in the eyes of your children.

I am reminded of Exodus 34:5-11, where it says:

Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him (Moses); and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,

“Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected— even children in the third and fourth generations.”

Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. And he said, “O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.”

The Lord replied, “Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you. 

God, Yahweh, has redeemed us and purchased our debt with the blood sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are redeemed, restored, claimed, and forgiven. He is enough for us, and He is enough for our children. We must believe this! He who began a good work in us is able to do this same work in those who come behind us!

I am here to testify to what I have seen and witnessed:

I have looked into the eyes of your son as he said thank you for saving babies in Jesus’ name.

I have read your daughter’s note as she said “I love Jesus and I love babies. Thank you for protecting babies and loving Jesus too!”

I have watched as the young men from your church youth group knelt in front of Agape with heads bowed low and praying for all to see.

I have stood holding your daughter’s hand as the young women from her local school prayed the Spirit of the Living God down upon this place.

I have watched your church’s youth group pull weeds, chop wood, wipe windows, talk to the neighbors, and offer food and drink to the hungry.

I have read your granddaughter’s words: “My grandmother’s love for babies and passion for the prolife cause did not die with her. As her granddaughter, I have begun to realize the calling God has for ALL His people to stand up and fight for the justice of those who cannot fight for themselves. Children are precious to God, and it is EVIDENT that Agape not only recognized this but acts upon it to save the babies and provide stability and care for the mothers.”

These young people have shown with their actions what total abandon for Christ looks like! May we look at their examples and be bold, unashamed, and driven to action every single day for the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Lift up your heads. Hope IS rising!

Additional Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-25, Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Worship Song: “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes