Pray that God provides all the spiritual and material resources needed for your teacher to educate with a posture of love, teach effectively, and create a fun learning environment for her students.
Last Sunday, the pastor at my church asked who was ready for back-to-school. The children moaned and sighed as enthusiastic applause, hooting and hollering, and a passionate back row "Amen" erupted from the parents. We left church that morning praising God that the three-day countdown had started. We would see the yellow school buses on the roads in two more days.
Whether you are the mom sobbing uncontrollably or the mother speeding out of the carpool line, back-to-school time comes with a mixed bag of emotions for everyone. There are new routines, new aspirations and dreams, new backpacks, and fresh haircuts. Back to school is also a time that ushers in new trepidations and worries as we send our children out into the world, so to speak. And it is a time that requires new prayers to battle this anxiousness and brings encouragement and blessings to this new season. Whether you are a seasoned mom or this is your baby's first year, prayers always need to be sent up.
As you take time to pray over your child so that they may feel included, make friends, learn new and great things, and get picked for the team – carve out a few minutes to pray for their teachers every day this school year. We are placing our trust in their teacher's capable hands and our ultimate assurance in the Almighty's limitless hands. Teachers deserve our prayers and more.
Lately, I have studied the power of praying scripture and the benefits of using God's perfect words to guide us in prayer. Jenn Soehnlin at Embracing Life does a great job explaining the "why" and the "how" of praying scripture. She says, "We tend to pray for things WE want, but praying scripture will help align your desires with what HE wants. And when our desires are aligned, that's when we're most likely to see God move powerfully in our prayers."
Teachers are resourceful and can work miracles with little. Education activist, Malala Yousafzai, says it best in this simple statement, "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." Regardless of our teacher's gifted resourcefulness, they have mental, physical, spiritual, and material needs to do their best job.
Let's discover eleven ways we can cover the needs of our teachers as we pray scripture over them. Place your teacher's name in the verse, as shown in the first two verses below, and tailor your prayer toward their specific needs. If you need assistance with personalizing scripture, Daily She Pursues gives a great explanation and examples of how to accomplish this. She says, "After you've taken some time to sit with the passage, it's time to personalize it. Think about what it would mean if these words were actually true in your life. How would your life be different? Believe that since they are God's inspired words, they can be true in your life."
Don't forget to pray expectantly and praise the Almighty Lord for hearing our prayers and petitions. "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24).
1. Wisdom
Pray that God grants your child's teacher a never-ending thirst for wisdom from God and knowledge and expertise in her profession.
"Blessed are those [insert teachers' names] who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed" (Proverbs 3:13-18)
2. Courage
Pray that your child's teacher has courage in the face of adversity and evil.
"[Mr. ___] be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
3. Compassion
Pray that God grants your teacher extra doses of patience, compassion, peace, and grace each day.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful" (Colossians 3:12-15).
4. Health
Pray for the good physical and mental health of your child's teacher
"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well" (3 John 1-2).
5. Value
Pray that your teacher understands her worth in God and knows how important and special she is to you and your child.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:6-7)
6. Generosity
Pray that your child's teacher has a spirit of generosity and, in turn, demonstrates to your child the beauty of generosity.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
7. Provision
Pray that God provides all the spiritual and material resources needed for your teacher to educate with a posture of love, teach effectively, and create a fun learning environment for her students.
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
8. Restoration
Pray that your teacher enjoys her time away from school and gets the rest and restoration she needs to come back to the class energized.
"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).
9. Worries
Pray for your teacher's worried heart and that he goes to the Lord with his burdens when the stress and demands of life threaten his peace.
"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).
10. Integrity
Pray for our teachers to stand against the world's ways and make moral decisions in line with God's word in school and at home.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
11. Protection
Pray for the protection of all of the teachers and the children. Give the teachers mighty courage in the face of darkness to protect our children and ask God to cover them with His wings.
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent people you save me" (2 Samuel 22:3).
Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving us your flawless words to pray over the teachers in our lives. We pray you would give them strength and guidance to complete their tasks and jubilantly interact with their students. We ask that you bless this school year and provide ample resources for our teachers to do their jobs to the best of their ability. Please watch over our schools, teachers, staff, and our children, and protect them from acts of evil. May this year be the best one yet. We praise you for your glorious works.
In Christ's name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/BartekSzewczyk
