Prayer and Cocoa Puffs

This morning began just like every Thursday morning has begun over the summer months. A group of 13 students gathered for what has affectionately become known as "prayer and cocoa puffs". At "prayer and cocoa puffs" we begin the morning having cereal together (many of these students have just rolled out of bed), and then we spend an hour in prayer together. We pray for the church, the Student Ministry, and then each of us write a personal prayer request sheet that we pray for. It sounds kind of funny to say, but "prayer and cocoa puffs" has been one of the driving forces of our Summer ministry...in fact, it's done more to build depth in relationships than anything else we have ever done before. That being said, below are some of the personal prayer requests that were mentioned this morning. As you read them, you will begin to understand the vulnerability with which these students have begun to share. Would you help lift these requests up to Jesus?

"Coming to grips with having to move to a new state, making new friends, finding a new church, and fitting in at a new school."

"To not live ashamed anymore...Jesus has set me free from my mistakes."

"4 months today without cutting myself!" (what a praise!)

"I need help developing a better self image"

"I'm just feeling very distant from God right now."

"I'm going through a war with myself right now. the mature side that knows what is best vs. the selfish side that knows what he wants"

"making the college transition"

"I'm taking off my 'mask'. I admit that I am not strong. I am afraid. I have doubts. But in admitting this the last few days I've remembered what life was like without Jesus...it's awful." This same student later wrote, "Jesus, don't let me go. I cannot live without you."

"I feel unlovable. Nobody seems to have time to just sit down and love me."

"LUST...may I hunger only for Jesus."

"My best friend is moving across the country, and I'm heartbroken."

"I talked to my dad for the first time in four years yesterday, and, more than anything else, it's got me on the verge of falling apart."

"Abandonement issues"

"I'm just exhausted."

"I am under a huge spiritual attack this week."

"I have perfect peace right now. I want to keep it."

"that I would learn how to love Jesus"

"for all of the new students that have been hanging around...that they would find a home here"

Thank you for helping us cover these items in prayer. Grace and Peace to you.