Thursday 19th February

Quiet your heart and mind. Imagine going with Jesus to a quiet place. Humbly kneel at Jesus’ feet.

“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!"

Psalm 66:5

Ponder: Jesus “took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:16)." Imagine that you are one of those children.

Scripture

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 

2 Corinthians 3:14

First, imagine Jesus is focusing on you, looking you right in the eye, and holding out a gift for you. Hear Him pray this over you. Read the blessing again slowly. What do you notice?

We do not walk alone

The blessing of the Apostle Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 3:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all," comes to us like a trinitarian embrace that sustains daily scholastic life. In the midst of daily challenges, full classrooms and noisy school yards, this blessing reminds us that we do not walk alone: The grace of Christ lifts us, the love of the Father defines our identity, and the communion of the Spirit unites us.

The grace of Christ invites us to begin again: to look at every student, teacher, and family through His eyes, with mercy, forgiving the imperfect and celebrating the little things. The love of the Father affirms us in our identity: We are His beloved children, with the call to be instruments of His love through our words and actions, so that every person feels valued and cared for. As well, the communion of the Spirit teaches us to nurture unity through listening, serving, and making each decision with discernment and wisdom from above.

Today we take a pause, we breathe deeply, we draw close to our God in prayer as if sitting at the table with a friend. We present our challenges, joys, fears, and dreams before the God that sustains us. We ask that the grace of Christ dismantles our hardness of heart, so that the love of God can heal our wounds and that His Holy Spirit can renew our unity in the educational mission we have.

May this blessing serve not only as a liturgical greeting, but a daily lifestyle: when opening a notebook, entering the classroom, grading an assignment, beginning a meeting, or walking through life with someone.

Maribel Ayos, Head of School, Santa Crus Christian Learning Center, Bolivia

Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. Imagine them sitting on Jesus’ knee as you pray.

Kids’ Question: Paul prays for God to be with his friends. Take time to pray for God to be with your friends.