Praying for the Upcoming School Year
One of the phrases we as a church live by is, “Don’t just say you’ll pray; stop and pray!” So last Wednesday we gathered as a church family to stop and pray for the upcoming school year. While the start of the fall semester is just around the corner, there are still many decisions to be made amidst all of the unknowns and uncertainties. With this comes worry and anxiety.
As a parent of two elementary aged boys, I feel it. The other parents in our church family feel it. The teachers in our church family feel it. And I know our children sense it.
When we are faced with unknown and uncertainty, we come to God in prayer. I want to invite you to join us in setting aside time each day over these next couple of weeks to pray fo the upcoming school year.
Here’s WHO we’re going to pray for:
Pray for our schools & administrators: There are so many big decisions to be made that impact so many, that our school administrators and staff need to be covered in prayer. There is so much information (and mis-information) that it is hard to know who or what to believe. So let’s pray for courage to make the hard decisions, clarity in how they communicate their decisions, and compassion as they are going to receive more “feedback” and “input” than probably ever in their professional career.
Pray for our teachers: This will be unlike any other school year as many teachers attempt to build relationships with new students online. Some will be torn between students in their classroom and students at home.
Pray for our parents: There are so many options, and we all want to love our children as best we can, but it’s not always clear what the best path forward is. Some will transition to home schooling for the first time. Some are faced with at home school while both parents work.
Pray for our children & students: No matter how our children attend school this fall, it will be unlike any other school year that they have experienced.
Here’s WHAT we’re praying for:
Pray for wisdom: James 1:5 says that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given.” Pray for wisdom in making all of the decisions that need to be made.
Pray for an overwhelming amount of grace in the way we interact with others and talk with others, not talking AT them but talking WITH them, especially those that we may not agree with or align with. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Pray for protection: For the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of everyone as the Apostle John prays in 3 John 2 says, “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
Pray for patience as parents help kids learn new math, we struggle with technical glitches, and wait for decisions to be made (and re-made). Paul said in Colossians 3:12-13, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Pray for peace that once decisions re made, we can give them to God and rest. Pray for that overwhelming peace that Paul speaks of in Philippians 4:5-7, “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Let’s join together in praying for people, rather than pushing our views.
Let’s join together in praying for for others as they make their decision, rather than condemning their decision.
Let’s join together in praying for peace, rather than accusing others of fear.