National Gathering to Pray for Our Australian Youth

Our Nation's youth are hurting and Christian youth charity ‘Young Life’ is calling on those in the Christian community to unite in a special online prayer event to lift them up before God.

“The research tells us there’s been an alarming escalation in the numbers of young people experiencing mental health problems and for Young Life, we’re seeing and hearing about the struggles they’re going through every day. The sadness, the anxiety and the loss of hope is very real,” says Young Life CEO Glyn Henman.

If ever there was a time for us to step up in prayer, faith and support for young people, it’s now.

On Wednesday October 27 at 8am AEDT Young Life will lead ‘Pray for Youth’, an online prayer event where Australians who know a young person in need of prayer are encouraged to take part.

“At a time when so many young people feel alone, we want to gather together to show them that they’re surrounded and supported by a whole community of faith. We believe it’s our obligation and we’ll be praying that the Holy Spirit would be active in their lives and fill them with truth and resilience as they navigate these difficult times.”

While all Australians have been affected by two years of extremes including deadly
bushfires, floods and the Covid-19 pandemic, young people have suffered
disproportionately. The ‘Pray for Youth’ online event will include guests who’ll pray for this vulnerable generation in specific areas including psychological distress, employment, relationships and education.

The class of 2021 will also be a focus after a year defined for many by disrupted learning, delayed exams, isolation from friends and the cancellation of celebratory graduation events.

There are no limits on prayer and Young Life hopes that Christians will embrace this opportunity to gather in faith and impact, defying physical barriers to stand with our young people.

The ‘Pray for Youth’ online prayer event is free, and participation is as simple as pre-registering at younglife.org.au. Login details will then be sent to access the event on a computer or mobile device.

YOUTH STATISTICS:

• The monthly unemployment rate for young people, 15-24 rose from 12% in March 2020 to a peak of 16.4% in July 2020. The unemployment rate was 10.7% in October 2021 compared to 4.5% overall. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
• In May 2020, just over 1 in 4 (28%) young people (18-24) reported not being able to pay their rent and/or mortgage on time in the previous 3 months. This compares with 15% of Australians aged 18 and over. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, ‘Covid-19 and the impact on young people report)
• In 2020, one third of Australian young people (34%) report high or very high levels of psychological distress (Headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey, 2020)
• 74% of young people report their mental health was worse since the outbreak of
  Covid-19 (Headspace ‘Coping with Covid’ Youth Mental Health Survey

For more information or to organise an interview with Young Life CEO Glyn Henman, please contact Georgia Hawkins at georgiahawkins@younglife.org.au

ABOUT GLYN HENMAN, YOUNG LIFE CEO:

Glyn has been the CEO of Young Life Australia for 21 years, has a deep commitment to working with young people outside the church and believes adults are a conduit for positive change in young people’s lives as they discover their place in God’s Kingdom. As a consultant, Christian leader and speaker he has worked with churches and non-profits in Australia and Asia and currently serves on the board of Men in Action alongside his work with Young Life Australia.

ABOUT ‘PRAY FOR YOUTH’:

Young Life’s Pray for Youth’ initiative comprises a week of activity where we put the focus on supporting and praying for young people during this unprecedented time of turmoil in their lives. Messages of encouragement can be posted on the ‘Wall of Hope’ on Young Life’s website and anyone who would like to support a young person or our youth collectively can sign up to take part in our online ‘Pray for Youth’ online prayer event on Wednesday October 27.

Visit: younglife.org.au

ABOUT YOUNG LIFE:

Young Life Australia has been working with Australian young people in communities and schools since 1972. As a Christian organisation and registered charity, Young Life’s vision is to make a difference in the lives of all young people.