Week: David & Jonathan
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
What a friend we have in You, Jesus. We’re ready for the new things that You want to show us and say to us about being friends with You, and with others too.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Liliwyn
John 15:12
My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:12 (NIVUK)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re REFLECTING on some of the lines from a song that David wrote after his friend Jonathan had died.
Read by Liliwyn
2 Samuel 1:17-18, 23,26a
David sang a funeral song about Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this song. It is called ‘The Bow’, and it is written in the Book of Jashar:
‘We loved Saul and Jonathan and enjoyed them while they lived.
They are together even in death.
They were faster than eagles.
They were stronger than lions.
I cry for you, my brother Jonathan.
I enjoyed your friendship so much.’
2 Samuel 1:17-18, 23,26 (NCV)
David and Jonathan’s friendship is one of the best examples in the Bible of what a good friendship is like. They enjoyed spending time together, they talked openly with each other and weren’t embarrassed to tell each other how they felt, and they stayed friends through some really difficult situations.
And then, after Jonathan had died, David wrote this song so that people wouldn’t forget his friend. In fact, David demonstrated his love for, and his loyalty to Jonathan by looking after Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, too. What a good friend!
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Who is a good friend that we are really thankful for? Maybe it’s a friend we’ve got now, or someone from a while ago. Why are we thankful for them?
Now, let’s take a moment and say our own short prayers of thanks for the friends we’ve just been talking about, even if it’s just ‘Thank you God for…’ and then their name.
Maybe we could also send them a message or write them a card to let them know how grateful we are for their friendship.
David was incredibly sad when Jonathan died. If there’s someone we know who has lost a friend or a family member that they loved, let’s pray for them now.
Loving God, we ASK You to comfort all those who are mourning right now (Matthew 5:4). Be with those who are sad, those who are missing someone special that they loved. We ASK You to hold them close and let them know that You are with them.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
2 Samuel 1:17-18, 23,26a
David sang a funeral song about Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this song. It is called ‘The Bow’, and it is written in the Book of Jashar:
‘We loved Saul and Jonathan and enjoyed them while they lived.
They are together even in death.
They were faster than eagles.
They were stronger than lions.
I cry for you, my brother Jonathan.
I enjoyed your friendship so much.’
2 Samuel 1:17-18, 23,26 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Loving God, as this week comes to a close, we want to celebrate and treasure our friendships – what a privilege it is to have friends. We say YES to enjoying the incredible gift of friendship, and to giving that gift of friendship to others too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 15:12
My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:12 (NIVUK)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
Liliwyn is 16 and lives in Kansas City, USA, with her parents, sisters and dogs. She is a good friend and enjoys designing, music, traveling, math and watching American Football (especially the KC Chiefs).
