Day’s Journey Youth
A quiet prayer before we begin
Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us through humble and faithful hearts. Forgive us for the times we have given up too quickly, and help us find the courage to try again. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
I Can Try
While working with students with special needs, I have noticed something powerful: many of them try very hard. Even when something is difficult, I rarely hear them say, “I can’t.” As I have said many times, they are my teachers.
That lesson speaks to youth, too.
Sometimes life feels overwhelming. A person may think:
I can’t focus.
I can’t change.
I can’t get through this.
I can’t do any better.
And when we keep agreeing with I can’t, we often stop before we even begin. No effort is made. No step is taken. No room is left for growth.
But one day, while reflecting, I wrote something different on a scrap of paper. Instead of stopping at “I can,” I wrote, “I can try.”
I can try to stay focused.
I can try to change my way of thinking.
I can try to eat healthier.
I can try to be more patient.
I can try to pray first.
I can try again.
Those three words matter.
I can try does not mean everything will be easy.
It does not mean there will be no struggle.
It means I am not surrendering to defeat before I even take one step.
Trying is not a weakness.
Trying is courage.
Trying is faithfulness in motion.
Sometimes God does not ask us to fix everything all at once. Sometimes He asks us to take the next right step with His help. That is enough for today.
Sacred Pause
What is one thing you have been saying “I can’t” about?
Could you bring it to God and say instead:
I can try with Your help.
I can begin again.
I can take one small step today.
A prayer for youth
Lord Jesus,
Forgive me for the times I have believed defeat before I even tried. Forgive me for the ways fear, discouragement, or frustration have made me quit too soon. Help me not to agree with “I can’t” when You are calling me to take one small step with You.
Teach me to say, “I can try.”
Help me stay focused.
Help me think differently.
Help me grow in the places where I feel weak.
Thank You for being patient with me. Give me the courage to keep trying, and remind me that You are with me every step of the way.
In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Sometimes growth begins when the heart changes “I can’t” into “I can try.”