Middle school students are about to gather for our annual Middle School Youth Gathering in Columbus, November 4-5, and high school students will gather for our triennial District Youth Gathering in Kearney, November 17-19. Youth Gatherings proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ and God’s saving grace to His people through Christ. In this setting, young people grow in their personal relationship with God and grow in their fellowship of Word and Sacrament in Christ’s Church. Join us in praying for the students, leaders, and others who will participate in and lead these events.

  • Give thanks for all who volunteer their time and talents to organize, run, serve, and lead the students during these Gatherings.
  • Pray for all of the students who will attend these Gatherings, especially for those who may be hearing God’s Word for the first time.
  • Give thanks for the adult leaders from each congregation who have volunteered their time and energy in accompanying and caring for the students during the Gatherings. Pray that God would guide them as they walk with these students through Bible study sessions, activities, servant events, etc.
  • Through the work of the Holy Spirit, pray that the words of the session speakers and worship leaders will help the students better know the extraordinary love of God in Christ Jesus.
  • Pray for the health and safety of all who will travel to the Gatherings.
  • Pray for the high school students who will travel to servant events during the District Youth Gathering, that they would be Christ’s hands and feet to those they serve.
  • Give thanks for the 1C congregation in Columbus that will host the Middle School Youth Gathering, and for Zion and Holy Cross Lutheran churches in Kearney who will host activities for the District Youth Gathering.
  • Pray that all Gathering attendees would be a witness of God’s love to the staff of the hotels, restaurants, and venues who will serve them during the Gatherings.
  • Pray that, as the students return home after the Gatherings, they would continue to be active and attend their local church and grow in their faith, and that they would know that they are children of God, dearly loved.
  • Youth begin seriously considering their future vocations at this age. Pray that the Lord would raise up the next generation of pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education, directors of church ministries and parish music, deaconesses, and lay leaders from within the students attending these Gatherings.
  • Pray for all of those who will soon start preparing for the summer 2025 national LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans.