Praying for the Next Generation Across Ohio
A Call to Intercede for Students and Youth
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done…”
— Psalm 78:4 (NIV)
Dear Praying Friends,
As a new school year begins, we invite you to join us in lifting up the next generation across Ohio with renewed faith and bold intercession. The youth of our communities are not just the future—they are the present. They are image-bearers of God with purpose, potential, and an essential role to play in His Kingdom today.
We believe God desires to raise up spiritual champions—young people who walk in purity, hunger for righteousness, and boldly follow Jesus in a culture that offers many counterfeit identities and empty promises. But the challenges are real. The aftermath of COVID-19 continues to affect our youth, particularly in academics and mental health.
According to the Ohio Department of Education, reading and math achievement across the state dropped significantly following the pandemic, with fewer than 60% of students meeting proficiency standards in key areas. These trends reflect what educators call the “COVID slide”—a gap that widened particularly among low-income and underserved communities. As people of prayer, we see this not only as a crisis—but as an invitation to intercede.
That’s why our measurable prayers now include a statewide request for students to “increasingly perform at or above grade level.” We believe in a God who cares deeply about every part of a child’s development—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and we are asking Him to bring restoration and renewed learning across Ohio.
This month’s Prayer Guide includes scripture-based prompts to worship the Lord as the Faithful Covenant-Keeper and Teacher of the young, followed by intercessory points to pray for purity, revival, and Spirit-led mentors who will walk with the next generation in truth and grace.
Whether you’re a parent, a pastor, a teacher, a student, or a concerned believer—your prayers make a difference. Join us as we ask the Lord to stir up hunger for His Word, awaken childlike faith, and ignite a revival in classrooms, campuses, and homes from Cincinnati to Cleveland and every town in between.
Blessings to you this August!
Ursula Kemp
Pray for Ohio
As you pray into this topic, click here for our monthly PDF prayer guide
