Collegiate Day of Prayer Global: 40-Day Prayer GuideSample

Day 12: Reference Points to Navigate Life

By Natalia del Castillo (Comunidad Cristiana de Fe, Bogotá, Colombia)

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

— Daniel 12:3

Before apps and compasses, stars were the navigational tool. Now consider each one of the people in the Bible. By comparing them to stars, they are placed as reference points to help us find our way. What makes reference points so important? And have you chosen yours?

As a college student, you have yet to make so many critical decisions that will impact the rest of your life. I’m not trying to make you anxious; I want you to be mindful of both the privilege and responsibility of your position. The culture around you is always pulling people down to its level of immaturity. It urges everyone to live solely in the present instead of building life intentionally. If you don’t choose a path, someone will choose for you—or even worse, you can spend your life bouncing around aimlessly, never getting anywhere.

In the Bible, we find real people with flaws, struggles, dreams, and desires. Their stories were woven with the help of God. When we study their lives, we can extract powerful lessons that will guide us in our path.

One of my favorite reference points is Daniel. In times of war, he managed to survive and succeed during occupation. Let me share with you some of the characteristics that set him apart in the first place. These serve as guidelines for our own lives:

• He was a son, a prince to be exact. Be mindful of who our Heavenly Father is and always keep a heavenly Kingdom mentality.
• He was without blemish, he had integrity. It’s not a matter of what you can get away with but choosing to do what’s right as a reflection of your identity.
• He was wise and willing to learn. Wisdom is the ability to make good choices and decisions. It’s not enough to be smart, we need to be willing to learn.
• He had a lifestyle of prayer. The same God who led all the wonderful people in the Bible is right there with you. Just talk to Him.

Become a reference point! According to astronomy, new stars are born every day. I believe you are meant to become a reference point for your generation. The way you live your life matters! Your decisions will not only shape your future but become the building blocks for future generations.

PRAYER POINTS:

• Pray for wisdom to choose good reference points for your own life.
• Pray for you and your friends to develop the same characteristics and prayer lives that Daniel and his friends had.
• Pray to become a good reference point for those generations coming after you.