For most, the upcoming weeks signals the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. If you listen carefully, you can hear the sharpening of pencils, the children groaning, and the parents celebrating as D-Day quickly approaches. No matter what school option (private, public, or home) you have chosen for your family, one thing rings true for all Christians. We need to be a people of prayer if we are going to get through this year usefully. Below I have 4 areas that I believe we would all do well to pray for before school ever starts this year. This has been adapted from a prayer guide that Prayer Closet Ministry provided several years ago. There are sample prayers that are given for each area that you can use, if you so choose to us them, but my encouragement to you today is that you take a few minutes to pray over each area before your children start to hit the books for another year.
Prayer for the Students
- For the Lost
We want to pray that the Lord will save the lost children in this school.
Father, I pray that the lost students of __________will surrender to Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of their lives. Show them their lostness and their need of Jesus. Have mercy on them
and saved them through Your Son, Jesus Christ ( John 6:44; Matthew 11:28).
2. For the Saved
We want to pray for a faithful witness and boldness in believing students
Father, I ask that the Christian students of __________will have a powerful and righteous influence in the school for your glory. Empower them to live holy and obedient lives before their friends and teachers. Sanctify anything in their lives that might hinder their testimony
(Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11-12, 3:15-16).
Father, have these students of __________be powerful witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. Fill them with the Holy Spirit so that they can speak boldly about who You and what
You have done (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).
Prayer for the Administration and Teachers
- For the Lost
We want to pray the Lord will save all lost teachers and administration
Father, I plead that the unsaved teachers of __________would graciously draw them all into a personal relationship with You through the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that they would turn from their sin to Christ with a genuine faith (John 3:15-18, 6:44; Acts 4:12, 17:30-31).
2. For the Saved
We pray for a willingness to share their faith within the authoritative structure that they are under.
Father, please give the teachers and administration at __________would exercise a righteous influence among the students and other teachers. Empower them to live holy lives and minister to the students and other teachers (Proverbs 28:1; Matthew 5:13-16).
Father, I pray that grant them the wisdom to know how and when to share their faith with all they are around.. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8, 4:31).
Prayer for the Parents
- For the Lost
We want to pray for parents who do not know the Lord, to come to know Him this year.
Father, I pray in the name of Jesus that the unsaved parents of __________would surrender their lives to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. I ask that the Spirit would convict them and draw them to Jesus by his grace to faith
and repentance for Your name sake (John 3:15-18).
2. For the Saved
We want to pray for believing parents to live out their faith in a way that brings glory to God.
Father, I ask that the believing parents of __________will continue to grow in their relationship to God .That they will take the lead as an example of godly living. Do this so that they can train godly children, and to be an example to others as well (John 8:31-32; 1 Peter 3:1-2).
Father, grant the believing parents of __________a spirit of prayer for the administrators, teachers, and students. I pray that they will cover and saturate __________with prayers of supplication and intercession (Colossians 4:2).
3. For all Parents
We want to pray for all parents to be faithful and good parents to their children.
Father, I ask that you give all parents a burden to be involved in all areas of their children’s lives. I pray that parents here will be sensitive and wise concerning the needs of their children. Help them to recognize their needs and problems and grant them the wisdom, patience,
and love to deal with these things (Ephesians 6:4).
Prayer for Protection
- For the Students
We want to pray for all students to be safe from all harm while in school.
Father, protect the students at __________from anything or anyone that would choose to hurt them. Give them an environment where they can learn and have no fear of being bullied, looked down upon, or injured them from anyone. Make this school a place where they can be educated safely so as to be able to glorify you in their life with their education (Psalm 11:4-7).
2. For Teachers and Administrators
We want to pray that all teachers and administrators will be safe from any possible harm.
Father, we ask that you protect all of those who have chosen to help educate the children
at ________________. Protect them from harm. Give them the ability to teach each child in a way that they can understand. Protect their minds so that they can be free to teach. Protect the sanctity of their marriage as the pour much time and effort into these jobs. Protect the believing ones from spiritual attack, and those who do not believe from believing
Satanic lies about you (I Timothy 2:1-3.)
We are told to be a people of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We are told to not just think about ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4) but others as well. We are also told to educate our children (Deuteronomy 6:5-7, Proverbs 1:8-9, Proverbs 22:6). If we want to do this in a way that honors the Lord, brings glory to Him, and be a kingdom people, I can think of few better ways than to pray for our children and schools as we start a new year of educating our children for the glory of God. I hope that you will consider these 4 areas in your own children’s lives, and pray for them diligently.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Adam B. Burrell
romans122life 