Friday 9th January

Quiet your heart and mind. Consider breathing deeply and exhale slowly. Speak out who God is for you right now.

“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me."

Psalm 66:16

Ponder: What breath prayer do you often repeat? A breath prayer is a Bible phrase that helps you focus on God in the moment. You intentionally speak this phrase to remind yourself that God is God and He is here.

Scripture

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day." Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

1 Kings 3:5-9

What do you know about this person’s situation when they are praying this? What does this prayer mean for the person praying? What phrase in their prayer stands out for you? Can this be a breath prayer for you?

Wisdom for what God entrusts to us

When God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask for whatever you want," Solomon didn’t seize the moment for personal gain. Instead, he recognized his own inadequacy and asked for wisdom to lead well. That humility still moves me. Before requesting anything, Solomon acknowledged God’s faithfulness to his father and the weight of the responsibility placed on him.

I often think of that moment when I face tough decisions. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about turning to God when you don’t. True wisdom isn’t mere knowledge - it is the real- life application of the Word of God.

God gives wisdom through many channels: through His Word, through the quiet prompting of His Spirit, through experience that trains discernment, and through the counsel of the wise. Yet even with wisdom, obedience remains essential. Solomon’s story reminds us that wisdom left unheeded still leads astray.

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." James 3:17 Prayer:

Lord, help us to recognize our need for Your wisdom in all You’ve entrusted to us. Teach us to listen, to obey, and to walk humbly in Your ways - so that our decisions reflect Your heart and bring life to others.

Brad Eyre, Board member: TeachBeyond Global Committee, Open Schools Worldwide, TeachBeyond South Africa

Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. What part of this prayer could you pray for them? You might want to say, “Father, please help [name] understand..."

Kids’ Question: Where do you need God’s wisdom and help today?