Praying Psalm 119 Week 2: Where is True Happiness Found?

On the last day of middle school, I played a game with the teens in my carpool. The game was “Would You Rather”:

Would you rather swim underwater like a mermaid or fly like a superhero?

Would you rather be rescued by Superman or Captain America?

Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?

The teens cracked me up because every question had to be analyzed and over analyzed. One of the last questions made me laugh but also made me worry.

Would you rather be wealthy but never fall in love? Or would you rather be poor but find the love of your life?

After some analysis and debate, like:

How poor? Could I still have my friends and family?

Every teen chose wealth. Really? Never fall in love. Never get married. I even asked the same question to some other teens on the way to the beach just to see if I'd get a different response. Nope. They all chose wealth. 

WOW! I couldn’t believe it. I remember being a teen and daydreaming of love and marriage. What has changed? Is it the high rate of divorce and infidelity, even in the church family, that has soured teens on love? Is it the celebrity culture that places little value on marriage but glorifies fame and fortune? Is it because they watch videos of teens online appearing to get rich with no effort or work? Is it parents pushing their children to go to the best college, be the best athlete, have a high powered job at all costs? Do they see their parents valuing material success verses love? Why is money valued more than love? Is it just the age? Not enough life experience?

Truthfully, I don’t know the answer to these questions.  However, I do know that God, the Father, cautions His children from making money the main focus of their life. The caution is given from a Father's love because He knows the destruction and discontent that comes from a life lived in pursuit of earthly pleasures instead of eternal rewards. Just look at the parable of the prodigal son whose pursuit of pleasure left him in the pig pen. (Luke 15:11-23)

Matthew 6:20-21 (AMP)

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

 Hebrews 13:5 (AMP)

Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”

 1 Timothy 6:10 (AMP)

For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (AMP)As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share [with others]. In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

So prayer partners, this week lets pray that the LORD grabs hold of our teens hearts so that instead of pursuing worldly pleasures, where the enemy will lead them down the path of the prodigal son, they pursue God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind. Because following God’s perfect plan for their lives is where true happiness is found. Also, let’s pray this prayer over ourselves because teens aren’t the only ones in danger of taking our eyes of Jesus and ending up in the pig pen. I give thanks to Jesus, who even when I end up stinky and muddy, He always runs to me, cleans me off, and welcomes me home with open arms.  

Let’s pray.

Psalm 119: 25-40

LORD, when ____________ is down and discouraged; revive her/him by Your word.
Teach _________ your decrees.
Help __________understand the meaning of your commandments, and help her/him meditate on Your wonderful deeds.
When ___________ weeps with sorrow; encourage her/him by Your word.
Keep _________from lying to her/himself; give her/him the privilege of knowing Your instructions.
I pray __________ chooses to be faithful; determined to live by Your regulations.
Let _________cling to Your laws.
Lord, don’t let her/him be put to shame!
Let _________pursue Your commands, expand her/his understanding.

Teach _________ Your decrees, O Lord; let her/him keep them to the end.
Give __________ understanding and help her/him obey Your instructions; putting them into practice with all her/his heart.
Make _________ walk along the path of Your commands, for that is where her/his happiness is found.
Give ___________ an eagerness for Your laws rather than a love for money!
Turn _________ eyes from worthless things, and give her/his life through Your word.
Reassure her/him of Your promise, made to those who fear You.
Help her/him abandon any shameful ways; for Your regulations are good.
Lord, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, put a longing in their hearts to obey Your commandments!
And renew _________ life with Your goodness.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Love,
Yolanda