NECF 40-Day Fast & Prayer - Part 3: Education

August 17 - 21

Our young people are like ‘sheep without a shepherd’ in the schools. Our Lord Jesus faced the same situation when He was on earth. In Matthew 9:35-38, it is recorded that 

‘Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” ’

More than ever, today, we need teachers who are called by God into this vocation to be role models for the young; teachers who will love their students, care for them and pray that they will catch a glimpse of the Saviour who alone can lift them out of the ‘miry clay of sin and set their feet on the rock of salvation’. In this career, Christians will walk in the footsteps of Jesus, as they teach and heal young lives.

Henry Adams has rightly said “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence ends.” A teacher influences his immediate students, who then go out into the world and, in turn, influence their families, their colleagues, and everyone else with whom they come into contact for the next forty or so years of their lives. One generation influences another generation. This has the effect of a pebble thrown into a stream, rippling with ever-expanding circles, as each ripple of influence goes on and on.

In a very real sense, teachers are the builders of the nation. They groom young lives, lay the foundation for character with principles of integrity and shape minds that will be other-centric rather than egocentric. They will be role models to the young of people who will serve with their lives rather than expect to be served. Many of us can think of at least one teacher who has impacted our lives. The future generations of young people in our country desperately need to have such teachers to impact their lives. What Malaysia becomes in thirty years’ time depends on what teachers are in the schools today.

Teaching is the noblest of professions. A teacher burns his life out for the sake of others in his care. Like a candle, his life is given to shine in the darkness of confusion and helplessness of our youth.

Moey Yoke Lai

MCKL Chief Executive Officer