A Prayer for Our Students

Can you believe it's time to be sending our students back to school? Where has the summer gone? Here's a prayer for our students as they head back to classrooms, whether those classrooms are in our homes or in a building down the street or across town:

Father, thank You for the gift of education. So many in the world don't have this gift. Thank You that we can learn about this amazing world You've created and the amazing people You've placed in it. As our children head back to the classroom, focus their minds and give them a passion for learning. For our children who have not yet accepted the gift of salvation, open their eyes to see You through the study of this world You have created, even when Your name is not mentioned. For those that have accepted Your gift of salvation, give them the boldness to be salt and light in their classrooms, especially when they learn things contrary to Your word. Teach them to speak truth in love with grace and mercy. Lord, use every lesson to show our precious children that You are real and You alone are the creator of life. Allow science and history to scream Your name as they see the amazing animals You've created and the amazing way You've created the human body. Let Your hand be seen clearly as they look at all the events that have taken place in this world. Lord, like in the book of Esther, though Your name may not be mentioned, let Your hand be seen as sovereign in the events they study. Father, let every lesson be one that is preparing our children for sharing You in whatever calling You give them. May the learn to read and write so they can write Your truth. May they learn science so they can show the world that nothing is here by accident. May they learn history so they can see the way You move and direct the world. Lord, use these days of education to prepare them to serve You in their jobs, in their hobbies, and with every skill and talent You have given them. Do mighty things in and through our children this school year, Lord!

A Prayer for Our Teachers

Has your family prayed for their teachers? Here is a sample prayer you could pray as a family or as parents as the school year starts:

Heavenly Father, thank You for teachers who love learning and love children. Lord, thank You for teachers who love You. Give rest to them each night that they may wake up each morning ready for the day ahead. Give them wisdom as they teach each day. Give those who know You a boldness to share You in word and deed each day, with their students and with their co-workers. When others look at them, let them see You. Father, give them Your eyes to see the needs of each student and Your energy to meet those needs each day. Fill their classrooms with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as You pour these out on Your teachers. Father, enable these teachers to let Your light shine in creative ways so the students in their classrooms will come to know and love You. Lord, as we've seen in the book of Esther, You are in control and You do mighty things, even when Your name is not mentioned! Do this is our schools through the lives of teachers who are saved. Enable them to be salt and light through their words, their actions, and the way they love others as You love them, even when they may not be able to mention Your name. Draw many to You through them.