Our teenage years are perhaps the most exciting part of life. During these years, our world expands even more. We meet new people. We make new friends. We study hard and do extracurricular activities. Our teenage years are spent venturing into the world and discovering more about ourselves.
However, it is also during these thrilling years that young men are prone to temptations and harm. If not helped or guided, young teens might get into trouble. They may be led to inappropriate habits and vices. Emotions and utter curiosity may lead young men to lose sight of what is truly valuable in their lives.
And so, young men, even more, need to pray and entrust their teenage years to God’s guidance. As they continue discovering their identity and talents, it is also important for them to be alert against the things around them that may lead them away from God and from reaching their dreams.
Prayer for young men
Almighty and ever-living God, You are the God of all ages. You are our never-changing God. Your faithfulness and majesty are for eternity. I praise and thank You for this precious gift of life You have entrusted me with.
Lord God, I am a young man who wants to discover myself more. I want to see the world beyond the confines of our home. I meet new people and make new friends. I gain more knowledge and experience. I discover my potential and talents. For these opportunities for self-growth and self-awareness, I am beyond grateful, and I humble myself before You, o God.
But Lord, in as much as I want to go and see what is beyond where I am now, I worry that I may go astray and recklessly do things according to my preferences. I humbly beseech You to grant me wisdom and prudence in everything that I think, say and do. I am still young, and I know I have more things to learn. Please teach me the path I should take.
Father, a lot of things around me are too hard to resist. I am tempted in every way. There are times that I feel lazy with my studies. There are moments when I just give half of what I can actually do. There are instances when I just feel like doing things my own way. In all these things, o God, please forgive me. I know I can do more but instead choose to be mediocre.
Lord, I desire to enjoy these young years of my life. As I relish these moments, may I not forget to follow what You desire in my life. Teach me to be obedient to You and Your will. May I always seek You in everything that I do.
I also pray for my parents, teachers, and friends. I thank You for giving me these people as I live my younger years. May I listen to their wisdom and follow their prudent words. May I always cherish them as Your gifts for me here on earth.
Lord, may I be guarded against evil and be inspired to always do what is good for my neighbors and for me. May everything that I do bring glory and honor to Your most holy name.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Short prayer for men in their teenage years
All-powerful and loving Father, thank You for the life You have given me. Thank You for letting me discover myself and my potential during these years of my life. Please guide me to always choose the path You have set for me. As I enjoy these moments, never let me be separated from You. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The Word of God
Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NRSVUE
He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
Micah 6:8 NRSVUE
and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
Prayer of young men to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, you were known to be an extremely pious young Jesuit novice in your time. As a young man, you wanted to serve God as a religious. You dedicated yourself to a life of simplicity, humility, and chastity. I thank the Lord for giving us young men a shining example like you.
Venerable Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, you were a young man before, just like me. You were exposed to worldly life and pleasure. Through God’s grace and your faithfulness to Him, you have overcome these temptations and gained the favor of God. As a young man, I come to you now to ask for your prayers for me and for all other young men like me.
Please intercede for me as I continue to get to know more about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, and my capabilities and talents. Continue to inspire me to do all that I can to grow closer and closer to God. May I always give my best in everything that I do.
Help me to always see God in all that I do. May I see the face of God in the people I meet and encounter every day. May I be preserved from temptations of the body. Please help me to overcome unnecessary temptations and worldly pleasure at the expense of morality and holiness.
Dear Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, please be my constant companion and friend. As you have dedicated yourself to God, so may I, too, dedicate these years to Him. By consecrating myself to God, I am confident that I can overcome any difficulties or temptations in this life.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, patron of teens and young people, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
Our years of youth teach us a lot of valuable and useful lessons which we can use later in life. We are at our most active during our teenage and younger years. But at the same time, it is also during these years that we are prone to what the world offers just to distract us from God and His plan.
Young men need to call on God for help and grace. May they always choose what is good and avoid everything that is deprived of goodness and holiness. Let us pray for them that as they enjoy these younger years, they will continue to fulfill the Lord’s will for each of them.
