Every generation carries a sound, and in this present generation, the cry of the youth is louder than ever before. It is a cry for direction, a cry for love, a cry for hope, and a cry for truth. The youth of today stand at the crossroads of destiny, holding in their hands the seeds of tomorrow. Whether these seeds blossom into greatness or wither into waste depends on the choices we make as fathers, mothers, leaders, and as the Church of Jesus Christ.
The youth are not just the “leaders of tomorrow”; they are also the builders of today. What they absorb, what they see modeled before them, and what they are taught now will determine what our families, churches, and nations will become. When we neglect them, we neglect the future. When we fail them, we fail destiny. When we empower them, we secure generations yet unborn.
Scripture is clear: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, KJV). This is not a suggestion but a divine command. God entrusts children and youth to us not to be ignored, but to be nurtured. The enemy knows their potential, which is why the battle for the next generation is fiercer than ever. Drugs, immorality, suicide, peer pressure, broken homes, social media traps—all are weapons targeted against our youth to silence their destiny. This is not a casual advice. It is a divine mandate. To “train up” means to intentionally, prayerfully, and consistently shape the life of a child in the fear of God. Training is not just about feeding the body—it is about forming the spirit, molding the character, and pointing the child to their God-ordained destiny.
Many parents and leaders today provide for the body, but neglect the soul. We pay school fees, but not prayer fees. We buy clothes, but not Bible study materials. We invest in talents, but not in values. Hear me: a trained mind without a trained spirit becomes a weapon in the enemy’s hand.
THE WHOLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUTH:
The youth must be helped in all dimensions:
Mental Health – Help them to think right. Teach them discipline, focus, and wisdom. Protect their minds from toxic entertainment and destructive ideologies.
Emotional Health – Let them know they are loved. Teach them identity in Christ, not in social media validation. Heal their wounds with affirmation, not condemnation.
Spiritual Health – Above all, ground them in God. Let them grow in prayer, in the Word, and in the fellowship of the Spirit. Without spiritual depth, all other investments are shaky.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO RAISE A GODLY GENERATION
• Model Christ-like Behavior: Children learn more by example than by instruction. Let your life preach louder than your lips.
• Pray Consistently: A prayerless parent produces a powerless child. Cover their destiny at the altar.
• Teach the Word: Fill their hearts with scripture before the world fills it with corruption.
• Nurture Their Gifts: Don’t kill their passion—direct it. Don’t suppress their talents—channel them.
• Foster Relationship with God: Teach them that Christianity is not religion but intimacy with the Father.
But as an apostolic father, I must raise my voice: we cannot remain silent. We must rise to guide, protect, and equip them for their God-given future. We must become intercessors, mentors, and builders. The question is not whether the youth will rise—the question is: will we be there to help them rise in the right direction?
This is written as a call to every parent, pastor, teacher, community leader, and young person. It is a trumpet sound reminding us that our tomorrow depends on what we do with the youth today. We must help them discover their identity in Christ, walk in integrity, cultivate their gifts, and embrace responsibility. If we fail them, we fail God’s mandate. If we empower them, we prepare a generation of Daniels, Esther’s, David’s, and Timothy’s who will stand boldly in their time.
Beloved, the cry of the youth is also the cry of God to us: “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15). The time is now. The responsibility is ours. The youth are not a burden—they are our future.
MY APOSTOLIC CRY TO FAMILIES AND THE CHURCH: Do not destroy the children God gave you. Do not hand them over to society’s confusion, to peer pressure, or to the spirit of this age. The enemy knows that if he can capture the youth, he has captured the future. That is why there is a fierce battle over their minds, music, morals, and ministries.
But as fathers and mothers in Christ, we must rise to defend them. We must provide the safe covering, the spiritual mentoring, and the prophetic direction that will shield them from the corruption in the land.
When God called Abraham, He separated him from his family so that He could raise a nation through him. Why? Because family, culture, and tradition can sometimes resist the call of God. Likewise, we must allow God to reshape our priorities—placing His Kingdom above selfish demands—so we can raise sons and daughters for His glory.
MY PROPHETIC DECLARATION:
I declare as a father to this generation: Our youths shall not be wasted. They shall not fall to drugs, immorality, or crime. They shall not be swallowed by the systems of this world. Instead, they shall rise as Daniels in Babylon, Esther’s in Persia, Josephs in Egypt, and David’s in Israel.
They shall be strong, vibrant, innovative, and deeply rooted in Christ. They shall carry the mantle of revival, the fire of holiness, and the torch of truth to generations yet unborn.
MY PRAYER FOR THE YOUTHS:
Father, we lift the youths before You. Preserve them from evil. Empower them by Your Spirit. Heal their wounds, renew their minds, and ignite their hearts with Your love. Make them carriers of Your glory and builders of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
FROM THE DESK OF BISHOP M.A ANYANWU