Included as a Special Edition with this Youth Anchor are seven forums for the 1999 Youth Week of Prayer. Officially, this week is scheduled for Friday, March 26-Sabbath, April 3, 1999. For those churches and youth groups which are able, we encourage them to study this material during that week.

However, for the groups which need to choose other dates, we urge you to do so and use these materials for your young people according to their needs and possibilities. The seven forums take a fresh look at God, man, and their relationship. The forums show the basis for knowing (loving) God, which includes taking up the responsibilities He hands us.

"In every stage of this earth's history God has had His agencies to carry forward His work, which must be done in His appointed way. John the Baptist had a special work, for which he was born and to which he was appointed--the work of preparing the way of the Lord.…

"There was a great work appointed for the prophet John, but there was no school on the earth with which he could connect. His learning must be obtained away from the cities, in the wilderness. The Old Testament Scriptures, God, and the nature which God had created, were to be his study books. God was fitting John for his work of preparing the way of the Lord. His food was simply locusts and wild honey. The customs and practices of men were not to be the education of this man. Worldly engrossment was to act no part in the formation of his character." --Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1115.

In every age there have always been a few who seemed out of place--out of step with society. Without trying to be different, they were different. They stood out, because they followed a different voice. They took time to listen for the voice of God and then took courage to follow what they heard from Him. They followed by faith and thus became sons of God.

The Bible tells us that a measure of faith is given to every man; but not every man tests it, treasures it, and honors it. Yet evidence is still given that right ways bring right results.

What makes truly great people great is not so much opportunity but a commitment to excellence. It is not so much talent, although that is important; but more important is an uncompromising relationship with an ideal. For a musician, that means practice, perfect practice. For a doctor, it means study, study, study! For any professional, it means overcoming difficulties and making choices of self-sacrifice. In all of them, hope must not fail. If hope is gone, all is gone. If we lose hope, talents, opportunities and energy will also fail. And we lose hope most often when the people we have looked to fail us. And that is the great paradox. When we become discouraged because of others, it is then that we fail those we love most. We actually become what discouraged us, and thus we condemn ourselves!

How can we stop this domino effect? How can we be a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem? How can we keep from losing courage, keep from becoming the devil's handymen? "Look to Jesus!" This phrase seems almost trite in this sophisticated age, but God's answers are always simple. It was not simple for Him to die on the cross, but He did it so we might live by looking to Him. Jesus lives! He is my Shepherd. He leads me! He is the Great Carpenter, and I am but His tool. He never misuses even one. He is in charge of my life. I belong to Him by creation and redemption. I accept His gift of life. He has not died in vain for me. I cast my helpless soul at His feet and follow His example as He gives me light and strength to do so. I will take time for Him, for study, and for prayer.

As we do this, we will know Him; and our words and lives will be a revelation of that relationship. Take time for God. To know anything takes time. Books and Bibles and men tell about God, but to know Him personally is an experience beyond head knowledge.

The time-pressed age in which we live is a fearful time. Few have a hopeful faith, yet most hope for heaven. The world's standards of professional behavior are very high and very specific. Some think that being a Christian means something less. It is more! It is everything the world expects of a professional and more. This is possible through a living relationship with a living Jesus. And the conditions of this age are the agencies that God will use to educate the young men and women whom He intends to use in earth's last hours.

The Week of Prayer Forums will help us to know God better. Study them prayerfully, and let His voice speak to your soul. Take time to do it, and then take the blessings into the new world at His coming. Jesus will be here soon; but meanwhile, we have a work to do and must be prepared to do it. The forums are dedicated to this end.

--Larry Watts, General Conference Youth Leader, U.S.A./Germany