It is that time of year when school is back in session! We all know that this year it looks a lot different. One thing remains the same. Our schools, teachers, parents and students need our prayers!  We can ALL participate in this and be intentional with how we pray for students and teachers of all ages. Here are some ways to pray. May God’s will be done as you:

“pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18

Praying for the Administration:

• Pray that high level positions will be filled by men and women with Godly values and principles.
• That decisions for your school are made with wisdom and compassion.
• For a clear direction from God on how to move your school forward and meet the needs of the students and staff, especially during this time of covid19.
• For overall protection from the spread of the virus for all of our communities.

Praying for your Teachers:

• That they will accept God’s gift of salvation.
• “We ask you God to give our teachers spiritual wisdom and insight so that they might grow in their knowledge of you. We pray that their hearts will be flooded with light so that they can understand the confident hope You have given those you called. We also pray that they understand the incredible greatness of your power for us who believe in you.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)
• “Lord, teach our teachers to always be humble and gentle. Teach them to be patient with each other and us, making allowances for faults because of Your love. Let everything they say be good and helpful so that they words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:2, 29)
• That they will teach with excellence and creativity.
• That they will respect each child as God’s creation – unique individuals.
• For patience and energy to teach with passion each day.
• That Christian teachers can stand out and make a difference in the school, supporting the values of their Christian students.

Praying for All Students:

• That there will be a high level of respect for each person among students.
• That students can choose against negative peer pressure and dangerous choices.
• That students will have high respect for authority.
• “Lord, may students in this school clothe themselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. May they make allowances for each other’s faults and readily forgive those who offend them. “ (Colossians 3:12-13)
• For strong, positive friendships to develop within the student body. Friendships that build each other up and keep them from being led astray.
• That students can control their tempers. (Ephesians 4:26)
• That students can accept and learn from loving discipline.

Praying for Unbelieving Students:

• That each student will learn of God’s great love, provision for salvation, and accept God’s forgiving Grace.
• That hurting students will receive Godly counsel, friendships, and compassion.
• “Jesus, may those in this school who don’t know you learn to put off their love of this world and the things it offers. For we know that loving this world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. May they learn to love you, to crave you, and to be filled up by you.” (1 John 2:15-16)
• “Heavenly Father, may the students of this school let their roots grow down into you, and let their lives be built on you, so that they may know how wide, how long, how high, and how deep your love is for them; and may they see that love through me.” (Ephesians 3:17-18)

Praying for Students who Believe:

• That you will be an example to fellow students in how you live, what you say, in your love, and in your purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
• That you will have the strength and courage to daily stand up for what you believe in, speaking truth to those around you.
• For unity among believers, that you may unite and work together to impact your school. That you may encourage and support each other, so that none of you may be caused to stumble or fall. (Romans 14:13)
• “Lord, I pray that those of us at this school who know you may learn to offer ourselves as pleasing sacrifices to you, because of all you have done for us. May we be a living and holy sacrifice that you find acceptable. Teach us to not copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but to let you transform us in to new people by changing the way we think. Then, we will know your will for us, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
• For the power of the Spirit to speak the name of Jesus, telling of His promise of salvation to all who believe.