Many of you readers are new here, so I’m reprising this post from several years ago. Its words are timeless…

Reading 1 John again this evening… “But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

Must walk as Jesus did.” That’s a tough one; one I’m not sure I have completely worked out. But I do know that it starts with relationships — both with God and with others. And I think John’s point is that we cannot claim that our walk with God is good if all the other parts of our lives don’t reflect that relationship.

On a regular basis, we encourage the kids at the City of Youth to write out their prayers and prayer concerns. Every time I read any of their notes to God, I am overwhelmed at the transformation He has brought in such young lives. I want to share some of them with you.

As you read, hear the voices of former street children as they open themselves to God. Notice especially their hearts for their families — the same families that often abused, exploited, and abandoned them.

God, bless my family, I please ask you to bring my mommy to You and also my daddy. I love you. –Michelle

Father, please take care of me, take care of my family outside, especially my Grandma. I love you so much Jesus because you loved me first. –Renato

God, thank you for everything you have done in my life, please bless the life of Karolaine, my best friend and all of her family. –Arlinda

Please God, bless my family. I don’t know where they are and I don’t know why they left me, but please forgive them and make them happy. –Taylan

Hi God, how are you? I am fine thank you. Well I ask you to pray for me and for my family. I know I was a bad girl. I already asked for your forgiveness, but I need my mom to have forgiveness as well, but she hurt me so much. I can ask for forgiveness for her. Please make me strong enough to tell her how I feel. Bye, God. –Dayane

Hi God, I know I hated City of Youth when I came. I am sorry. I was a bad boy and I cursed too. Now I like it here. Now I have found a special friend. YOU. Thank you for being my best friend. –Carlos

Lord, please help me to grasp what these children understand—that walking as Jesus did means not just loving those who love me, and not even just returning good for evil, but genuinely, deeply loving all those You bring into my life.