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.
Jonathan tried to persuade his father, King Saul, not to kill his friend, David. But Saul didn’t listen to Jonathan because he was too jealous and afraid of David. Today, we’re REFLECTING on yet another occasion when Jonathan risked his own safety to protect David.
Read by Liliwyn
1 Samuel 20:41-42
Then David bowed three times to Jonathan with his face to the ground. Both of them were in tears as they embraced each other and said good-bye, especially David. At last Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.’ Then David left, and Jonathan returned to the town.
1 Samuel 20: 41b-42 (NLT)
Jonathan was King Saul’s son, so he should have been next in line to be King, but God had chosen David to be the next King instead. Of course, if Jonathan had encouraged or even helped his father to kill David, then he might have become the next King after all. But Jonathan’s friendship with David was more important to him than power or position. Jonathan chose kindness instead of becoming ruler of a kingdom.
Jesus once told his disciples that ‘the greatest love a person can show is to die for their friends.’ (John 15:13) We probably won’t ever have to give up our lives for our friends, but a big part of being a good friend is putting the other person’s needs before our own. That’s what love and kindness is all about.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What kind things can we think of that our friends have done for us?
That thing that Jesus said to his disciples, ‘the greatest love a person can show is to die for their friends.’ (John 15:13). That’s exactly what He did for us – He died for us. That’s how far he was willing to go to demonstrate His love and friendship for us.
Let’s be quiet for a moment and whisper our own thank yous to Jesus.
Who do we know is a really kind person – someone who often puts other people’s needs ahead of their own. It might be a friend or a family member, or a teacher at school or someone in our church?
Loving God, thank you for these wonderful people. They often put others first, and so we ASK You to show them just how amazing they are.
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.
1 Samuel 20:41-42
Then David bowed three times to Jonathan with his face to the ground. Both of them were in tears as they embraced each other and said good-bye, especially David. At last Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.’ Then David left, and Jonathan returned to the town.
1 Samuel 20: 41b-42 (NLT)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the many ways that You have shown us what true friendship looks like. We say YES to becoming a friend to others, just like You.
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).
