For all the parents out there ready to send their cherubs into brand-new classrooms with fresh bulletin boards and crisp stacks of worksheets, I share this back-to-school prayer. Lord, There’s something special about the first day of school. Kids of all ages with new backpacks full of virgin crayons, notebooks, and pencils. Self-conscious students in squeaky new shoes with nary a scuff mark and well-thought-out outfits for a cool first impression. Teachers with Welcome Back bulletin boards and brand-new class rosters full of young minds. I come to You as both a momma and a teacher to ask for Your blessing on this new school year. Bless my children with focus, friendships, and fun. Help my kids to consider their school work as an act of worship. “Whatever [they] do in word or deed, [I pray they do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17 NASB). May they forget past mistakes and press on toward the goal of honoring You (Philippians 3:13-14). As they go throughout their days, may their words and their thoughts be pleasing in Your sight (Psalm 19:14). You’ve blessed them with loyal friends who bring out the best in them. I pray You will foster their existing friendships and bring new ones into their lives. Give them friends who will spur them on to love You and serve You with all their hearts. (Hebrews 10:24) Give my sons memories with friends and family that will make them laugh out loud for years to come. Use my children to point others to a relationship with You. May they take up their cross and follow You, even down those school hallways (Matthew 16:24). Bless my students with confidence and consistent, caring leadership. As a special education teacher, so many of my students come to me with a spirit of defeat. Their learning challenges make learning so difficult that by the time they reach junior high, they’ve almost given up. I believe You’ve placed me at my school to change their minds. To help them believe in themselves again. I pray my new cherubs will wake up each morning with a sense of excitement and not dread. Use me and the other teachers at my school to empower and encourage these fragile ones. Use us to infuse strength, determination, and confidence. The students aren’t the only ones who need encouragement. I pray parents will guide with consistency and care. Give them the strength to have a balance of high expectations and grace. Help the teachers and parents to create a seamless partnership with one goal in mind: the best for the learners. Bless teachers with a peaceful, productive, and positive school year. Teachers surely don’t choose the profession for the money. We want to make an impact on young lives and, in turn, this world. We want to help our students grow in knowledge, responsibility, and character. Help us, Lord, to keep the main thing in focus at all times. It’s so easy to get distracted by paperwork and state tests. Help us to never reduce our students to a test score or a letter grade. Help us to treat our students in the same manner we’d want our own children to be treated (Matthew 7:12). I’m hopeful, Lord. Hopeful for a beautiful school year for us all. Walk with us, moment-by-moment, and my hope will be fully realized. In the name of Jesus I gratefully pray, AMEN
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 19:48:08 +0000