Prayer Guide: Holiness in a Hostile Culture

By Justin Jeppesen

This prayer guide, inspired by the chapter titled Holiness in a Hostile Culture in Strategic Renewal’s resource 21 Days of Prayer for the Next Generation, is focused on seeking God’s face through the following passage.

John 17:14-19

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Holiness in a Hostile Culture Prayer Guide

REVERENCE

Identify and celebrate God’s praiseworthy attributes

  • Giver of the Word (v. 14)
  • Keeps and protects us (v. 15)
  • Jesus is holy, not of this world (v.16)
  • He is the Sanctifier of our souls (v. 17)
  • He is the one who sets us apart and sends us (v. 18)

Prayer Prompts

  • Father, thank You for giving us Your Word that says… (v. 14)
  • Jesus, I praise You for sanctifying me in Your truth so that… (v. 17)
  • I worship You, Jesus, that You are able to protect me from… (v.15)
  • Father, I praise You for sending Jesus into the world to… (v.18)

RESPONSE

Surrender to Him and His ways

  • Jesus, forgive me for giving in to the ways of the world when… (v. 14)
  • Father, I admit I’ve neglected Your call towards holiness in the way I… (v. 17)

REQUESTS

Ask the Spirit to guide prayer over concerns, resources, and relationships

  • Lord Jesus, set apart the next generation in Your truth so that… (v. 17)
  • Father, help (name) receive Your Word so that they can endure the hostility of… (vv. 14-15)
  • Jesus, because You have consecrated Yourself, may the next generation courageously carry Your holy Word to… (vv.18- 19)

READINESS

Encouragement and strength for spiritual battle

  • Jesus, please keep the next generation from the evil of… (v. 15)
  • Lord, sanctify us in the truth to be victorious over… (v. 19)

*this prayer guide is an excerpt from the appendix of 21 Days of Prayer for the Next Generation by Strategic Renewal. Click HERE for more information on this resource.