our "Back to School" prayer

As school returns we are faced with many challenges and changes. The late night texts turn from meaningless chatter to finding out what the assignment for 2nd period was all about.  The early morning silence is broken with a traffic jam like none has ever seen.  The ease of summer gives way to the pressure of performing. The need to decide what to do on Friday night finds it's home under the lights of a packed football stadium. The boredom gives way to drama. The sleepy head look gives way to the frustrated designer. The struggle of purpose, identity, academics and true love is here, real and pressing. We need hope.  Thankfully we have a prayer!

As school returns we pray for each student and teacher/administrator.  We lean strongly on the hope of Jesus and the Gospel.  

There are many things we can pray.  We can pray for safety, protection, the right team of teachers, no drama, good grades or maybe just that they not ruin the family name. But if we focus our prayer on Scripture and pleasing God won't all these other things fall into place in a way that will bring ultimate honor and glory to God?  The list below is not a complete list but the ultimate prayer and goal is that we all seek first the kingdom of God.  We realize school is tough, demanding, and pressure filled.  We know our ways are not God's way (Eccl. 55:8). So we seek His ways which are found in His Word. 

We know that sometimes we get our priorities out of whack.  So we seek Him and as we seek Him we pray...your will Lord, not ours.  

We hope you'll join us in this prayer for all of our students, and teachers, this year.

We pray:

• That students and teachers who are followers of Christ realize they are not students and teachers first.  As a child of God our identity is first found in Christ. The danger of the opposite can come in betraying the Christian's deepest identity and the calling that far surpasses that of a student, and every other pursuit.  We are first and foremost children of God.  Image bearers.  I pray they realize this and seize every opportunity to bear His image. (I Cor. 10:31, Col. 3:17)
• That students/teachers who do not know Christ are led to His goodness and grace and call upon His name to be saved. (Romans 10:13)
• We pray that the followers of Christ are bold in sharing the Gospel. (Mark 16:15-16)
• That they "let the word of Christ dwell" in them richly.  (Col. 3:16)
• That they "trust in the Lord with all their hearts."  I pray they lean not on their own understanding but in all their ways they acknowledge the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• That they trust completely in the One who strengthens them. (Phil. 4:13)
• That they enjoy being a teenager but not allow it to be an excuse but rather be an example of what it means and looks like to follow Christ.  (1 Timothy 4:12)
• That they be strong and courageous understanding that their Heavenly Father, God, is with them wherever they go.  (Joshua 1:9)
• That they trust in God to supply all they need. (Phil. 4:19)
• That they trust that God is faithful in the midst of temptation and will always provide an out, an escape. (1 Cor. 10:13)
• They they lean on the teaching, wisdom and help of the Holy Spirit who will teach them all things.  (John 14:26)
• That they would seek first the kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33)
• That they set their minds on things above, not on things that are on earth. (Col. 3:2)
• That they guard their life according to the Word of God. (Psalm 119:9)
• That they delight in God and think on His Word more than anything else. (Psalm 119:15)
• That they take the name of Jesus with them.  (Acts 1:8)
• That they trust the voice of God. (Isaiah 30:21)
• That they humble themselves before the Lord. (1 Peter 5:6)
• That they pursue excellence. (Phil. 1:3-11)
• That they taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)
• That they walk humbly with their God. (Micah 4:5, 6:8)
• That rather than conforming to their world, they be transformed by God. (Romans 12:1-2)
• That they walk in a manner worthy of God, bearing fruit and increasing in the knowledge of He who has saved them. (Col. 1:10)