Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 AMPC)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
Last Thursday evening, I gathered with others to pray for the schools in our area. The new school year has already begun for some, but in our area, most schools begin the week of August 24. It is fitting, then, to pray this week for those who are preparing to welcome students back to school next week.
God,
Thank You for the many men and women who are called to minister to these precious young people through our educational systems. Today, we pray for all teachers, administrators, and school staff who work to educate and care for students and to keep our schools running.
As they prepare for the beginning of this school year, bless them with clarity about what needs to be done, the resources they need to do it, and the support they need to be effective educators.
We pray especially for those who are carrying difficult things outside of their work—health struggles, troubled marriages, concerns about their children, addictions, the responsibility of caring for aging parents, financial pressures, or anything else that weighs heavily on their hearts. You tell us to bring our cares to You because Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. So, on behalf of those who are struggling, we bring these burdens to You.
Meet each need. Heal each heart. Restore each relationship. Meet them with Your grace and peace right where they are.
For those carrying burdens from outside the school, help them to entrust those struggles to You and, when possible, leave them in Your hands as they enter the school each day. Give them the grace to focus on the students in their care, knowing that You are faithfully overseeing the things they cannot control.
God, we pray that great encouragement, wisdom, discernment, and strength would rest upon each of these adults. Give them soft hearts toward their students, while also giving them the courage to provide the structure, guidance, education, and challenges each student needs in order to grow.
Help these educators to live out and teach godliness and truth, even in places that may seem hostile to Your righteousness. Help them to be beacons of light in places of darkness and pillars of hope and strength for the young people entrusted to their care.
We ask all of this in Jesus’ name.
AMEN.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)