Day 4 ‘Tell the story’ (Joshua 4:21-24) - Week of Prayer & Fasting Devotional

Joshua 4:21–24

“In the future when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them…”

God knew that his people would need to remember.

After crossing the Jordan, the Israelites were told to take stones and set them up as a reminder of what God had done. One day, their children would see those stones and ask, “What do these mean?”

That question would create an opportunity to tell the story.

God had been faithful. He had made a way where there seemed to be no way. He had led his people, protected them and brought them through.

We all need reminders of God's faithfulness. And we need stories.

Stories of answered prayer. Stories of God's provision. Stories of moments when someone encountered Jesus. Stories of courage, healing, transformation and unexpected grace.

Especially for our children and young people, faith cannot simply be something they inherit from the generation before them. We long for them to encounter God for themselves and have their own stories of his faithfulness.

So today, let's pray for the next generation. Pray for our children and young people, our families, schools, youth and children's teams, and young leaders. Pray particularly for those who are struggling to find their place. Let’s pray for wonderful stories to come from our children and young people - stories of God moving in schools and playgrounds, stories of answered prayer, healing, stories of children and young people influencing their friends with Kingdom values, and influencing and impacting those older than them.

And let's ask God to make us a church that remembers and tells the stories of what he has done.

Dwell

• What does this show me about God and his faithfulness?

• What story of God do our children and young people need to hear?

• What is God doing among the next generation?

• What story of God's faithfulness could I share with someone today?

Prayer

God, give our children and young people their own stories of encountering you. Help us to be a people who remember your faithfulness and are not afraid to tell the stories of what you have done. Bless our children, young people, families, schools, leaders and teams. Give the next generation a deep and personal faith in you.

Amen.

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