What do you pray for your students in the new year?
At the start of another semester, teachers often spend extra time shepherding their students to consider others above themselves.
Jonathan, King Saul’s oldest son, is a good example. He was set to inherit the kingdom of Israel. The only thing between him and the kingship was David. While he could have passively observed as his dad was on a murderous hunt to kill David, Jonathan actively risked his life to help David escape—paving the way for David to take over the kingdom.
God’s Word tells us that Jonathan “loved David as he loved himself.” This kind of love compels students to give up their “crowns”—their wants, positions, and time—to help others.
Jesus made this connection in John 15:12-13: “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
With these thoughts in mind, ask Jesus to let our students be motivated by love and to get them excited about helping others flourish, even when it means giving up their own needs and desires.
