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Reflections : Prayers from the Heart of a 14 Year Old
Reflections: Prayers from the Heart of a 14 Year Old Boy, in many ways, is a mirror image of my life. I wrote these prayers when I was a young adult growing up in Miami. As with any big city, drugs, sex and violence were part of everyday life.
Becoming a teenager in our ever-changing world is a challenge for parents and children alike. In many ways, both are trying to discover each other and, above all, themselves. Temptation and evil is everywhere, and without a solid foundation of God and morality, everything can rapidly spin out of control.
I was blessed to have gotten to know God at an early age. I went to youth groups, retreats, and helped out at our local church, where I also attended school. Everything changed when I became a freshman in high school. Morality and fun collided. Girls, parties, hangouts, fitting in, and everything else that goes with growing up began to take root.
This collection of prayers is a reflection of those thoughts and experiences. They helped me come closer to God when the world around me was telling me to run in the opposite direction. I hope and pray they give you guidance and help bring you closer to God.
Becoming a teenager in our ever-changing world is a challenge for parents and children alike. In many ways, both are trying to discover each other and, above all, themselves. Temptation and evil is everywhere, and without a solid foundation of God and morality, everything can rapidly spin out of control.
I was blessed to have gotten to know God at an early age. I went to youth groups, retreats, and helped out at our local church, where I also attended school. Everything changed when I became a freshman in high school. Morality and fun collided. Girls, parties, hangouts, fitting in, and everything else that goes with growing up began to take root.
This collection of prayers is a reflection of those thoughts and experiences. They helped me come closer to God when the world around me was telling me to run in the opposite direction. I hope and pray they give you guidance and help bring you closer to God.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2014
7 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Michael Alexander Beas
4 books16 followersMichael Alexander Beas holds an associate’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in business management; none of which has anything to do with writing novels. He spent over a dozen years working in banking, telecommunications and commercial insurance. In those industries, he dedicated the bulk of his time selling products and services to customers. He has always enjoyed writing but busy schedules never gave him the time needed to follow the dream of completing a novel. Then one day, life gave him the opportunity to fulfill that dream. Beas lives in Waxhaw, N.C. with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 3, 2014
Michael Alexander Beas', Reflections: Prayers from the heart of a fourteen year old boy, was an amazing compilation of simple and powerfully poetic petitions to God.
This book contains heartfelt prayers, the sentiment of which could easily apply to millions, if not billions of people on Earth, whatever their age race, gender or denomination.
I was moved by the depth and sincerity of each prayer, bringing a whole wealth of emotions to the fore as I read them. 'Emptiness at heart' I found to be quite gut wrenching, and the same could be said for the angst ridden 'Paint that won't wash away', not forgetting the torture of hard choices that 'A dangerous path' brought to my mind.
These prayers will most certainly touch the hearts of anyone who reads them, seeing their own struggles, losses, beliefs and triumphs in the words of someone who has a clear and fervent faith, as well as an enduring love and understanding of others.
'Touched by the wind' was a personal favourite of mine because of its calming and peaceful effect. 'The right stuff', I also particularly enjoyed, mainly for it's encouraging and strength inspiring nature.
I would recommend this lovely book to to all who enjoy a spiritual read.
This book contains heartfelt prayers, the sentiment of which could easily apply to millions, if not billions of people on Earth, whatever their age race, gender or denomination.
I was moved by the depth and sincerity of each prayer, bringing a whole wealth of emotions to the fore as I read them. 'Emptiness at heart' I found to be quite gut wrenching, and the same could be said for the angst ridden 'Paint that won't wash away', not forgetting the torture of hard choices that 'A dangerous path' brought to my mind.
These prayers will most certainly touch the hearts of anyone who reads them, seeing their own struggles, losses, beliefs and triumphs in the words of someone who has a clear and fervent faith, as well as an enduring love and understanding of others.
'Touched by the wind' was a personal favourite of mine because of its calming and peaceful effect. 'The right stuff', I also particularly enjoyed, mainly for it's encouraging and strength inspiring nature.
I would recommend this lovely book to to all who enjoy a spiritual read.
May 20, 2014
Life is Hard. Period.
I don’t really read a lot of spiritual books, but this one caught my eye as it was more about encouragement and inspiration than proselytizing.
And since I’ve been trying to piece my life one by one this past year, I thought I could use some encouragement from deep within.
As the title says this is a collection of prayers that comes from the heart of a teenage boy—who doesn’t seem to be different than other teenagers. He still has the same hopes, dreams, and fears that anyone of any age has.
Thus, I’ve been getting up in the morning and reading a prayer as I silently meditate and think about what lies ahead and how I’m going to accomplish a set of goals for the day. I feel the prose and words and realize that I’m not only one who has an imperfect life, but how I deal with those imperfections and flaws will strengthen my character.
Having those few moments to yourself before beginning your day– are fundamental in getting things back on track and relieving the stress I feel in going through another 24 hours, without him or with another obstacle in my way.
Strength and Power comes from within, and Michael Beas’s book will help you find a little of it each day.
I don’t really read a lot of spiritual books, but this one caught my eye as it was more about encouragement and inspiration than proselytizing.
And since I’ve been trying to piece my life one by one this past year, I thought I could use some encouragement from deep within.
As the title says this is a collection of prayers that comes from the heart of a teenage boy—who doesn’t seem to be different than other teenagers. He still has the same hopes, dreams, and fears that anyone of any age has.
Thus, I’ve been getting up in the morning and reading a prayer as I silently meditate and think about what lies ahead and how I’m going to accomplish a set of goals for the day. I feel the prose and words and realize that I’m not only one who has an imperfect life, but how I deal with those imperfections and flaws will strengthen my character.
Having those few moments to yourself before beginning your day– are fundamental in getting things back on track and relieving the stress I feel in going through another 24 hours, without him or with another obstacle in my way.
Strength and Power comes from within, and Michael Beas’s book will help you find a little of it each day.
June 2, 2014
"Why am I worried all the time...?" this young author writes. That is an important question, and this is an important book. It will mean different things to different people.
God is very real to the 14 year old boy who wrote down these “prayers”. He sees Him, and is convinced he can be heard by Him. He feels His touch...
“Give me the child for the first seven years and I will show you the man”. One senses the all-pervasive pressure on a sensitive soul of that vigorous evangelical Christian upbringing throughout childhood. I am reminded of Othello’s epitaph: that he was one who loved not wisely, but too well…
At this point – still only in his second teenage year – our young author is striving to be on the best of personal terms with this awesome figment of his community’s collective imagination. At the same time of course, he must also be aware of what a splendid example he is setting to the more carefree teenagers around him. At the very least he must surely be earning the approbation of the elders who have so scrupulously educated him in the ways of The Lord.
He is clear that a number of his thoughts and feelings as a growing boy are ‘sinful’ and is eager that his God should know he already understands that about himself. Why was I not surprised when I came to the passage wherein he asks his God to mend his broken heart? My heart goes out to this kid for taking the sins of the world on his shoulders.
“Despite everything I am going through and facing…” Is his God testing him with these tribulations? I am always fascinated by the way Christians (and Theists in general) square this circle. They are trials of course, constructed by their Lord just for them. Such trials apparently make you stronger. I remember many years ago reading a novel by a Jewish writer in which one of the characters said something like: “Thank God for Louis Karp. Without him, my life would be too easy.”
Interestingly, a little over half way through, the “prayers” become mini sermons. He isn’t only talking to God, but to those around him: instructing them in the way to the light. This is a boy who goes into empty churches to be at one with his God in every sense of the word. He asks Him to show errant souls the way, but in writing these prayers down he is taking it upon himself to show us the way on God’s behalf. That, of course, is part of the brief.
Without this personification of morality and righteousness he is nothing; so it must follow that all those who do not share his vision must be in grave danger of being nothing. Better to throw your inkhorn at the devil than that you should not be able to see him lurking in the corner, ready at all times to tempt you with the sins of… well, you name it, really.
More structured thinking and writing is emerging by the prayer entitled “The Joys of Giving” which begins with a quotation from Mother Teresa and goes in quite a structured way through the pattern of thoughts which drive him (and, he hopes, us) to the conclusion that she was, of course, right. Subsequent prayers begin with quotations providing proof – if anyone needed it – that this lad knows his Bible.
“My precious Father, why, oh why, have I drifted so far away from you?” he asks. I find that hard to believe, but then there are quite a lot of things I find hard to believe. However, I do believe most potently in the power of indoctrination, which for me is what makes this short book so fascinating.
“Why am I worried all the time?” he asks. Your heart goes out to the young pilgrim in his progress. I want to tell him about John Bunyan’s “scrupulosity” and make him aware of “a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), in which the person experiences prolonged anxiety-causing thoughts that result in excessive anxiety-relieving compulsions. Scrupulosity sufferers [it says on the internet] experience obsessive thoughts about sin and condemnation to the point where some will go to extreme measures to alleviate their fear of God’s punishment” or their sense of their own unworthiness.
I recommend this book without reservation. There is much to be learned from it. What you choose to learn, of course, is up to you.
God is very real to the 14 year old boy who wrote down these “prayers”. He sees Him, and is convinced he can be heard by Him. He feels His touch...
“Give me the child for the first seven years and I will show you the man”. One senses the all-pervasive pressure on a sensitive soul of that vigorous evangelical Christian upbringing throughout childhood. I am reminded of Othello’s epitaph: that he was one who loved not wisely, but too well…
At this point – still only in his second teenage year – our young author is striving to be on the best of personal terms with this awesome figment of his community’s collective imagination. At the same time of course, he must also be aware of what a splendid example he is setting to the more carefree teenagers around him. At the very least he must surely be earning the approbation of the elders who have so scrupulously educated him in the ways of The Lord.
He is clear that a number of his thoughts and feelings as a growing boy are ‘sinful’ and is eager that his God should know he already understands that about himself. Why was I not surprised when I came to the passage wherein he asks his God to mend his broken heart? My heart goes out to this kid for taking the sins of the world on his shoulders.
“Despite everything I am going through and facing…” Is his God testing him with these tribulations? I am always fascinated by the way Christians (and Theists in general) square this circle. They are trials of course, constructed by their Lord just for them. Such trials apparently make you stronger. I remember many years ago reading a novel by a Jewish writer in which one of the characters said something like: “Thank God for Louis Karp. Without him, my life would be too easy.”
Interestingly, a little over half way through, the “prayers” become mini sermons. He isn’t only talking to God, but to those around him: instructing them in the way to the light. This is a boy who goes into empty churches to be at one with his God in every sense of the word. He asks Him to show errant souls the way, but in writing these prayers down he is taking it upon himself to show us the way on God’s behalf. That, of course, is part of the brief.
Without this personification of morality and righteousness he is nothing; so it must follow that all those who do not share his vision must be in grave danger of being nothing. Better to throw your inkhorn at the devil than that you should not be able to see him lurking in the corner, ready at all times to tempt you with the sins of… well, you name it, really.
More structured thinking and writing is emerging by the prayer entitled “The Joys of Giving” which begins with a quotation from Mother Teresa and goes in quite a structured way through the pattern of thoughts which drive him (and, he hopes, us) to the conclusion that she was, of course, right. Subsequent prayers begin with quotations providing proof – if anyone needed it – that this lad knows his Bible.
“My precious Father, why, oh why, have I drifted so far away from you?” he asks. I find that hard to believe, but then there are quite a lot of things I find hard to believe. However, I do believe most potently in the power of indoctrination, which for me is what makes this short book so fascinating.
“Why am I worried all the time?” he asks. Your heart goes out to the young pilgrim in his progress. I want to tell him about John Bunyan’s “scrupulosity” and make him aware of “a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), in which the person experiences prolonged anxiety-causing thoughts that result in excessive anxiety-relieving compulsions. Scrupulosity sufferers [it says on the internet] experience obsessive thoughts about sin and condemnation to the point where some will go to extreme measures to alleviate their fear of God’s punishment” or their sense of their own unworthiness.
I recommend this book without reservation. There is much to be learned from it. What you choose to learn, of course, is up to you.
November 3, 2014
Reflections: Prayers from the Heart of a 14 -Year Old Boy is a series of 23 prayers written by Michael Alexander Beas as a teenager.
Written with the intimate feel of a series of journal entries, each prayer begins with a reflection about life's challenges and ends with a prayer to God.
His prayer headings include subjects such as "Family,” "The Simple Pleasures of life" and "The Honesty of my Unforgettable Past."
Now what I enjoyed the most about Reflections was its message. Each reflection is inundated with hope and redemption. Messages like “all we have to do to turn our lives around is take off our mask and follow him,” "the right stuff is pushing forward when all else fails and everyone has given up " and “the future is in our grasp. All we have to do is reach for it and it shall be ours” are so down to earth and heartfelt that I’m sure will resonate with those looking for clarity and a positive message in this hurried world.
In conclusion, I think many people will enjoy Reflections. It has wide ranging appeal and honest moments. And even though it was written when Beas was young, I think its candor and messages about hope and redemption will resonate will readers of any age.
5 Stars
Written with the intimate feel of a series of journal entries, each prayer begins with a reflection about life's challenges and ends with a prayer to God.
His prayer headings include subjects such as "Family,” "The Simple Pleasures of life" and "The Honesty of my Unforgettable Past."
Now what I enjoyed the most about Reflections was its message. Each reflection is inundated with hope and redemption. Messages like “all we have to do to turn our lives around is take off our mask and follow him,” "the right stuff is pushing forward when all else fails and everyone has given up " and “the future is in our grasp. All we have to do is reach for it and it shall be ours” are so down to earth and heartfelt that I’m sure will resonate with those looking for clarity and a positive message in this hurried world.
In conclusion, I think many people will enjoy Reflections. It has wide ranging appeal and honest moments. And even though it was written when Beas was young, I think its candor and messages about hope and redemption will resonate will readers of any age.
5 Stars
Read
November 3, 2014Honest, poignant, and inspirational
I got to know God early as well, and I can see many of my own struggles reflected in the collection of prayers. Being a Christian in a world that is so loud and critical against Christianity isn’t easy.
There’s always a struggle between choosing God’s way and caving to the ways of the world in order to fit in. When I was young, I wasn’t in a church that preaches God’s grace. So each time I chose to fit in, I would be burdened with feelings of guilt and think that God was angry with me and had turned away from me.
I think this book is a great read for all ages, especially teens. Growing up in today’s world can be tough. In my generation, not every action and word is posted to the social media for others to get scrutinized.
Today, it’s tougher to grow up or just to survive.
This book serves as a comfort, showing readers that we’re not the only ones who had faced with such issues. But the book didn’t end there. It continues to encourage and reminds the readers that we are always loved by God—no matter what! And that’s a reminder everyone needs.
When teenagers know that they are loved no matter what they had done or will do, it empowers them to go out and live with the glory of God.
I got to know God early as well, and I can see many of my own struggles reflected in the collection of prayers. Being a Christian in a world that is so loud and critical against Christianity isn’t easy.
There’s always a struggle between choosing God’s way and caving to the ways of the world in order to fit in. When I was young, I wasn’t in a church that preaches God’s grace. So each time I chose to fit in, I would be burdened with feelings of guilt and think that God was angry with me and had turned away from me.
I think this book is a great read for all ages, especially teens. Growing up in today’s world can be tough. In my generation, not every action and word is posted to the social media for others to get scrutinized.
Today, it’s tougher to grow up or just to survive.
This book serves as a comfort, showing readers that we’re not the only ones who had faced with such issues. But the book didn’t end there. It continues to encourage and reminds the readers that we are always loved by God—no matter what! And that’s a reminder everyone needs.
When teenagers know that they are loved no matter what they had done or will do, it empowers them to go out and live with the glory of God.
August 25, 2016
Reflections: Prayers From the Heart of a 14 Year Old Boy is a compilation of twenty-three prayers that deal with such topics as who we are, temptation,and struggling to find our way in an ever turbulent world. Young and old alike are find encouragement within the pages of this easy to read book which sort of reminded me of a journal of spiritual growth, but would honestly make a wonderful daily devotional. Each chapter begins with a personal story and then a wonderful prayer. Mr. Beas faith certainly shines thru the pages of Reflection and his gentle reminders of God's love nourishes the spirit.
Reflections by Michael Alexander Beas was written when he was a fourteen year old teen dealing with the issues of day to day life. The peace and wisdom that emanates from the pages transcends age and gender though because he captures the essence of what challenges most of us. As I read each chapter I found myself feeling more than refreshed I actually felt spiritually recharged. Short chapters make for a quick read, but this isn't a book to be hurried thru, instead it's one to be read and savored. Relatable for every age level, anyone looking for a spiritual boost will find it within the pages of Reflections.
reviewed for readersfavorite.com
Reflections by Michael Alexander Beas was written when he was a fourteen year old teen dealing with the issues of day to day life. The peace and wisdom that emanates from the pages transcends age and gender though because he captures the essence of what challenges most of us. As I read each chapter I found myself feeling more than refreshed I actually felt spiritually recharged. Short chapters make for a quick read, but this isn't a book to be hurried thru, instead it's one to be read and savored. Relatable for every age level, anyone looking for a spiritual boost will find it within the pages of Reflections.
reviewed for readersfavorite.com
November 2, 2014
I enjoyed reading these prayers and return often return to the table of contents and choose whatever prayers suit any particular day. Without fail any time I refer to these prayers I cast my mind back to my life at age 14 and recall my strength of faith at that time. I think these prayers show a strong sence of justice, strength of faith, hope and at the same time an innocence. It is particularly nice that these prayers were not lost through time and Michael Beas was able to compile and create this lovely and thought provoking
book.
book.
June 23, 2015
Michael Beas' 'Reflections' touched me deeply. The purity and innocence of his prayers, and the eloquent way in which he describes his feelings and beliefs, is incredible for a fourteen year old...well for anyone of any age for that matter. I can relate to many of these prayers, as I am sure many others will as well.
It was courageous of Michael to share something so personal with us all. These thoughts were clearly inspired. I have no doubt he will touch many with them.
It was courageous of Michael to share something so personal with us all. These thoughts were clearly inspired. I have no doubt he will touch many with them.
June 3, 2014
Totally blessed by this book!
Reflections is a beautiful book written with a pure heart.
The Author shares his journal of Prayers written in his teenage years.
(Which is the most critical time in a young man’s life.)
As a parent I am humbled to know that in difficult times the choices being made are to honor faith and God.
This is a must read for everyone. I am passing it on to my Son now.
I am grateful to the author for sharing this part of his life.
Reflections is a beautiful book written with a pure heart.
The Author shares his journal of Prayers written in his teenage years.
(Which is the most critical time in a young man’s life.)
As a parent I am humbled to know that in difficult times the choices being made are to honor faith and God.
This is a must read for everyone. I am passing it on to my Son now.
I am grateful to the author for sharing this part of his life.
November 3, 2014
Michael Beas wonderful book offers comfort and solace to anyone lost in hardship and despair. Reflections is a compilation of heart-felt words and prayers to be used for battling loneliness, temptation, anger and powerlessness. Written when he was a troubled teenager, the book is searingly honest, and written with clarity and compassion. Reflections is a celebration of life and the power of hope.
November 3, 2014
I felt good reading this book, the prayers and the author has written and articulated so beautifully, the bond with God. Inspiring and encouraging that brings you comfort and makes you see through the eyes of a 14 year old, the teens issues, life growing up and relationship with God to a whole new level; It is worth reading and recommended.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews