Adolescence brings new and troubling questions for which childhood beliefs are no longer sufficient. If the disciples needed help with prayer, surely we need the same insight. Although some youth may have learned to enjoy being alone with God in prayer, other teenagers may not yet feel comfortable with periods of silence. Still others may say only what they think is supposed to be said in prayer, rather than speaking honestly. Followers of Christ must learn to move outside their comfort zones and, with each act of mission they perform, risk sharing the message of Christ.
Actions can speak louder with words.
Jesus shook things up with his life-giving words and compassionate actions. He spoke to people as he loved, healed, and helped them. Jesus is a model for serving others with words and actions. Jesus affirms a woman whose expression of love and worship was out of the ordinary for those present. When it comes to worship, sincere followers of Christ do what they can to worship God.