Joy Bennett

God’s Glory Transforms

Dear Lord, we worship You for Your glorious transforming power. Teaching students, and navigating other relationships and tasks, remind us how much we need godly transformation. We praise You for Your Word where we can meet You and behold Your transforming glory. Spending time in Your word allows us to be changed into Your image so that we may be faithful witnesses to those around us. What an incredible blessing.

Father, remind us regularly, that if we wish to be all that You want us to be, we need to cling to Your Word and learn about You there. We need to align ourselves with Your instructions and repent often. Help us to recognize You in Your Creation, and worship You rightly for all You have done for us. Let us experience the unfading glory of fellowship with You. And, help us form good habits of reading Scripture, praying, and worshipping You so we might honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Psalm 19:1; 2 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Timothy 1:11; Revelation 4:11

Our Daily Protection

Featured Joy Bennett

Tall castle on a high cliff, covered with sunshine and topped with flags.

Dear Lord, we praise You for Your many gifts to us and how You completely cover our every need through them. We come to You from many positions within education but we all need Your gift of protection so we may love and serve You well. We thank You particularly for the gift of the Armor of God.

In Ephesians 6:13, You tell us to take up the full armor of God. Again in verse eleven, You tell us to put it on so we may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Lord how we need this as we work to educate the next generation! Teach us to pray according to Your commands. We need the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of Truth, and feet fitted with the gospel. We need the shield of faith and the Word of God. What protection these aspects of the gospel provide!

Lord, remind us that, to be strong in our Christian walk as teachers and Your representatives in education, we greatly need Your protection. Lead us to pray these gospel truths into our lives so we may be protected from enemy attack and stand strong in the power of Your might. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18 & 24; Hebrews 4:2

The Power of God

Featured Joy Bennett

Teacher leaning over high school students at a table, providing help.

Lord, today we praise You for extending Your power to our world through the gospel. We come to serve in our schools so that Your grace and power will be seen, known, and embraced. Therefore, we pray that You present Your powerful Truth to our students and faculty. When students are observing Your creation or literature which points to Truth, let them see Your powerful hand and desire You.

Where there is enemy work, we pray that You step in and rescue our students. Close their eyes and ears to any lies sent their way. Open their eyes to see Your Truth, and raise prayer warriors who will uphold them for salvation and spiritual growth. Lord, we also pray, for the spread of the gospel, that You bring Christian workers to schools in every form: administrators, certified and classified employees, and volunteers. Let their Christ-centered values work to create God-glorifying environments for students. And, let them pray fervently for the souls they work with. We pray all these things in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Ephesians 1; Hebrews 4:2;

Our Redeemer, Our Solution

Featured Joy Bennett

“Lord, we seek You in a world that greatly needs redemption. “Let the words of [our mouths] and the meditation of [our] hearts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, [our] rock and [our] redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 ESV).

Your sacrifice on our behalf is beyond our comprehension. Let us focus on You as we go about our daily work so that our students, fellow staff, and parents can see You at work in us. We know that the gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing, but You can open the eyes of the blind, and allow them to see and desire You. We pray this will be true for the many lost souls we work with.

Father, when our hearts condemn us, remind us of Your power which has overcome sin. When we struggle with the lies of the world and the work of the Enemy, let us be overwhelmed by Your Truth and goodness and dispel those distractions. Guide us to cling to the Truth of Your Word and reflect it to everyone around us for the sake of their faith in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and save the lost, not being willing that any would perish. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Matthew 18:14; Luke 19:10; 1 Corinthians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 3:19-20

Make the Gospel Known

Featured Joy Bennett

Sun rays representing our light of the gospel shined toward the lost.

Thank You, Lord, for Your plan of salvation for mankind. We praise You for being our Creator Who perfectly provides for our sin problem.

The world around us needs You, Father, and we ask You to assure that the gospel is preached to our families, fellow staff members, students, and their families. Open their eyes and make Your truth known to them: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Let these truths fall on fertile ground so that nothing will dampen the potential growth of these truths in their lives.

Remind us to pray often for the salvation of the souls around us. Draw us near to You, studying and being changed by Your Word that we will be beautiful lights, making the Gospel of Jesus Christ attractive to those who are lost around us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

(Genesis 1-3; Romans 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Ambassadors for Christ

Featured Joy Bennett

Welcome Back to School cursive written on a blackboard.

Dear Lord,

We thank You that You are at work in our schools, calling Your people to Yourself. In Your love and faithfulness, You have reconciled us to Yourself and given us the ministry of reconciliation. Lord, You are even reconciling the world to Yourself, not counting their sins against them. Because You have entrusted us with this message and called us to be ambassadors for Christ, we ask You to powerfully make Your appeal through us this school year (2 Cor 5:16-20).

As we plan, let us see where we can leave the door open for Your truth to shine through. Guide us to be mindful of opportunities when we can point our students to desire Your ways. Give us words, ready on our lips, to glorify You in all of our instruction and interactions. Lord, we praise You for the opportunities You give us. Shine Your light brightly through us as we go about our work. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Back to School Preparations

Featured Joy Bennett

Back to School Teacher Prayer Prayers Back-to-School

Dear Lord,

We thank You that You are all-knowing, our Advocate, and our Shepherd. Thank You for a fresh start at the beginning of the school year, and for new students we have opportunities with. Thank You for the break we just came from, even if it was busy, because we need the change to renew our resolve and creativity.

As we start the year, Lord our to-do lists can feel overwhelming. Many things can only be accomplished in the few days we have before students walk in our doors. Therefore, Lord, we ask for wisdom because You promise in James 1:5, that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” We also encourage our hearts with the truth that You can “do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

So, Lord, we pray for focused work time, organization, and complete awareness of what needs to be accomplished. We pray for the ability to set aside desires, even making a list of those things for later, and guidance to complete the important things first. Remind us to frequently give You praise as we go about our work since nothing good is planned or accomplished apart from You (Psalm 16:2). And, keep us mindful to pray for the students we will have this coming year.

Let us live in Your peace, comforting our hearts that You know our beliefs, thoughts, actions, and feelings, as well as the process before us. Encourage us to draw near to You our Advocate, and give us the grace to be led by You, our Shepherd. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Know the Truth and Teach it Well

June 18, 2024 Joy Bennett

Lord, we praise You that Your Word is truth and You are unable to lie. We thank You for Your holy perfection and eternal commitment to leading Your people to faith and salvation.

Lord, for each Christian teacher, let us commit to knowing Your truth and teaching it for the sake of Your elect and their knowledge of the truth. Guide each of Your people who work in schools to be sold out for You and committed to creating opportunities to share the truth of Who You Are with their students. May the students clearly see Christ in each of us and desire an eternal relationship with You because of Your grace at work within our lives. We specifically ask that You help us plan our lessons, words of encouragement, classroom management plans, and each interaction to reflect Your truth, values, and commands. Work in our hearts so that we are fully convinced and prepared to point our students to the plumbline of Your Word and commands by our own proper adherence to Your standards. Change the hearts of our children to seek You and serve You all their days. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Titus 1:1-3

Teachers’ Servant Mindset

Featured Joy Bennett

Thank You, Lord, for setting the supreme example of servanthood by Your sacrifice for our sins. You lovingly gave us everything You had, including Your life, so that we could be with You forever. You alone are deserving of our worship and praise, Father. Thank You for such compassion, mercy, and provision.

We pray for the Christian teachers You have put in each position of service, asking for Your power to be at work in our lives. As teachers, we experience many demands on our time and talents but let us be servants of You for the sake of Your chosen people and their knowledge of the truth. The world tempts us to be servants of men, but You have called us to keep our minds set on You and Your purposes. Let us be free from the fear of man and strong in our trust in You, God Almighty.

We pray that You guide us to submit to Your will and Your ways as we serve others in Your Name. May our strength come from You alone, not from exceeding effort on our parts. Give us the ability and commitment to obey You as we act in our positions as servants for Your kingdom and, in our obedience, may You be honored above all else. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen

Mark 10:45; Rom 12:6-7; Gal 1:10; Tit 1:1; 1 Pet 4:10

Worthy of Praise

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise the Lord

Lord, we exalt You for Your forgiveness and that You do not hold Your anger forever but delight in mercy. We also rejoice in Your lovingkindness toward Your people. Thank You that You are great beyond anything we can imagine, gracious in Your compassionate gifts, and always good in Your actions.

Prayer for Teachers

We humbly ask You, Lord, to keep our eyes on the truth of Who You Are for Your people as we go about our daily tasks. Many of our students have struggles that affect us and we need to cultivate genuine hearts of praise toward You Who alone are all that is good and worthy of glory. Guide us to remember, especially in our worst moments, that we are forgiven by You. Give us a firm grasp of Your everlasting love for us and how You draw us to Yourself with lovingkindness. Open our eyes to how You are at work in love even during difficulties. Let us rehearse Your greatness as we take one step at a time through complex decisions and experience the effects of sinful people. We know that we will have peace that passes all understanding when we consider all that is praiseworthy in Your character. Help us to seek You in good times and bad, recalling Your lavish gifts of grace to us as Your beloved children. May we never doubt Your goodness and plans for our benefit throughout our challenges.

Deut 3:24; Ps 31:19; 116:5; Is 30:18; Jer 31:3; Micah 7:18-19; Phil 4:8

Victory, Protection and Peace

Featured Joy Bennett

Oh LORD, we praise You for You love justice and You will not forsake Your people. Thank You for giving us Your presence, salvation, mercy, grace, and power now, and also through eternity.

We pray for Christian teachers, that when we open our mouths, we will speak truth and words of encouragement to those around us. Let our words be wise, overcoming our enemies and giving You glory. Empower us to be patient in obedience, knowing that we have the promise of Your victory at work in our lives. Guide our hearts to desire peace with everyone around us so that we may encourage them to come to faith in Christ. Remind us also to cling to Your promises of vindication, salvation and Your protection from those who attempt to harm us. Help us walk in the confidence that You are working in us and through us all of our days, perfectly protecting us all the way through our transition to eternity.

In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 37

In God We Trust for He Will Answer His Children

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise God for His Character

Lord God, You are The Almighty God. You love Your children and always work to give them the greatest blessings possible. You are at work behind the scenes of our lives, orchestrating everything for good, and are completely trustworthy. Praise You for Your faithfulness, compassion, mercy, love, strength, and care on our behalf.

Prayer for Peace in Trials

Dear Lord, we pray for Christian teachers and their families today, knowing that You are at work in our lives because we are Your children. We ask for encouragement during hard times and for You to guide us so we keep our minds on Your faithfulness.

Be gracious to those who are under attack. Let them put their trust in You with strong faith in Your perfect goodness and care. Let them praise You with joyful hearts, being built up by reading Your Word and knowing You. Remind them that You have called them to walk before You in the light of life here on earth, giving You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:5-6

Psalm 56

Prayer for Perseverance

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we thank You for Your call upon our lives and for the power of Your Holy Spirit at work within us. We worship You for all You are and especially adore You for Your ever-present help and Your regenerating work within us. With these, Lord Jesus, we thank You that You pray for us constantly, along with the Holy Spirit, knowing the depths of our needs better than we do. What a blessed privilege we have in You, precious Lord.

We pray for perseverance in our walk with You. As believers in general and in our calling as teachers, let us embrace the challenges set before us, knowing that we’re drawn closer to You through each one. Lead us to Your Word of encouragement, and a deeper knowledge of You as we continue. When life is painful, teach us to call on You as Your beloved children, trusting Your love will see us through. When we’re faced with challenges, fatigue, confusion, or despair, energize us through Your Holy Spirit to work for Your glory until all is complete. Remind us that we have access to You by faith and rejoice that You hear and attend to our prayers. Let us celebrate Your promises for us during times of suffering: endurance, character, and hope are Your gifts to us in each situation. Similarly, give us hearts to praise You that our faith steadfastly grows during challenges. You alone accomplish these beautiful gifts, Lord. Be glorified in our lives as we continue in our work. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen

Rom 5:2-5; 2 Thes 1:3-4

God is Blameless, Do Not Complain

Featured Joy Bennett

Without a word, without complaint

In His Hands,

Leave all the things you cannot

Understand

~K.R. Hagenbach

Dear Lord, You are Holy, Righteous, and Sovereign. Praise You for Your all-knowing, completely perfect character. Much more, we thank You for saving us, forgiving all of our sins, past, present, and future. Thank You for providing justification for us so that we can stand in Your presence and interact with You as Your children: loved, protected, and cared for with deep compassion.

We pray for teachers everywhere to let go of complaining because it sows the seeds of discontent in the speaker as well as the listener. Lord, especially for teachers who are in the Body of Christ, we pray for Your power to guide their thoughts and words so they trust You with each situation at hand. Working with people in any job can give opportunity for complaint. But, God, You have called us to a higher standard in which we rest in Your providence. Praise You Lord for how you provide for every moment and situation. You see to each need in our lives with a loving hand that promises to work all things together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.

You have placed us in schools to be Your lights in the world. With each new day, we encounter difficult students and parents, administrators, and fellow staff members. Others sin against us. We see better choices our students can make. But we glorify You by Christian cheerfulness. You have called us to act with charitable judgment toward others. In other words, You ask us to look for the good that others are trying to accomplish or incapable of at the moment. Let us come alongside those who tempt us to complain, and pray for them. Give us hearts that extend love and compassion toward them, even when we don’t understand what is going on.

Lord, let Your servants rest in Your guiding hand, keeping their eyes on Your faithfulness rather than the situations in front of them, and focused on Your promised good so that they resist the temptation to complain. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Ex 16:8; Num 11:1-3; Job 1:21

God is Excellent, Rest in His Goodness

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise God for His Excellence

Lord God, we thank You for Your moral goodness, virtue, and uprightness. Regardless of our blindness, we know You are perfect and worthy of our highest praise and adoration.

Prayer for Peace as We Think About God’s Character

Dear Lord, we come to You in humility, hungry for the truth of Who You Are: The Great I Am. We want to show the world Your glory in our classrooms and in our relationships with others. Help us keep our minds on Your all-knowing character so that we call on You for wisdom as we plan our lessons and interact with our students. Encourage our hearts by Your eternal nature so that we rest in You who remain King forever, and guide us to give You appropriate glory with all of our decisions. Lead us to cling to Your Word, the standard for truth. You have spoken, You are the only true God, and we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true. Keep us resting in this knowledge.

Lord, we also ask that we can view You as God Most High, exalting You and Your faithful love over all trouble, imaginations, and fears. Let us sing of Your righteousness and give You the glory You deserve. As we look to You, let us be happy in You, our Creator, who helps Your people and controls every earthly power. We know all things were created for Your glory and we can trust You when we don’t see earthly leaders acting with godly justice. Give us minds to think about Your incredible, self-existence. You are loyal to Your entire character and this gives us hope. Lead us beside the still waters of rest in our knowledge of You: the Great I Am, Who makes the dark as light and guides Your people in paths of peace.

Praise You for Your grace to Your people Lord. We are comforted by our adoption to You through Jesus. Your excellence far outweighs our ability to comprehend it. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Ex 3:14; Ps 7:17; 129:1-6; John 17:3; Eph 1; Col 1:16; 1 Tim 1:17

Peace in God Who is Worthy of Praise

Featured Joy Bennett

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” ~ Ps 34:8

Praise God

Lord, in You alone are riches, honor, glory, goodness, light, joy, and peace. You are loving in all Your actions. Indeed, we praise You for the entirety of Your character.

Prayer

We step into Your peace when we focus on Your undeniable goodness, Father. Lead us to the refreshing waters of Your truth so we can enjoy the serenity that comes from meditating on Your praiseworthiness. Because You know our lives and the sin that is in the world, You have provided renewal for our souls. We exalt You, for no matter the stresses we have at school, with our health, in relationships, with finances, or in any other area, We see that You are working for our good.

Move Your Word to the front of our minds so we focus on Your goodness, forgiveness, and love. Your nature is to desire the highest good for Your creation. You have generously forgiven all of our sins, and Your unfailing love is displayed in all you have done, and continue to do. Thank You for loving us with an everlasting love, and drawing us to Yourself. Even now we can be calm in our circumstances with this knowledge.

For Your glory, guide our thoughts so that we elevate Your greatness. You are beyond comparison to anything we can imagine or measure. Show us how great Your power is on our behalf, regardless of our situations, and bring us peace. You are always working mightily on behalf of Your people, and in ways we cannot comprehend. Oh Lord, may we rest in the knowledge of this.

With these many gifts, Your heart of grace is magnified. You are gracious, righteous, and compassionate, waiting for opportunities to show this compassion to Your people. It is in Your justice that You bless those who long for You, even raising us to the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that You can bless us with Your kindness all the more. Lord, keep us in this mindset, trusting You, resting in You, and confident of Your love because of our position as Your beloved children. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Ps 31:19; 73:23-26; 104:1; 106, 116:5; 118; Is 30:18; Jer 31:3; Mic 7:18-19; Eph 1:4; 2:6-7

From Strength to Strength

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise the Lord of Hosts

Dear Lord, we praise You for being The LORD of hosts, the God of all armies, the living God Almighty. You are powerful and faithful, unchanging and holy. How lovely it is to dwell with You in this life and through eternity.

Prayer for Strength and Refreshment

We pray for teachers everywhere today to desire You above all things. For those who call You Lord, we pray their souls seek You in Your Word and that their hearts and flesh will sing for joy because of Who You Are in their lives. Let every teacher cling to You, knowing that even the sparrow finds a home by Your power and that You have confirmed we are of much more worth to You. Lavish Your blessings upon those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise, because we are so richly blessed when our strength is in You and our hearts are focused on Your ways.

Lord, we praise You for Your promises because teaching requires us to pour our energy and strength into the lives of others, leaving us dry, and in need of Your power and renewal. But You say that Your people will go through these experiences, making them places of springs and experiencing refreshing rain to cover their needs with pools. We go from strength to strength, appearing before You to receive Your blessings. Keep us near to You, Lord, God of hosts. You listen to our prayers and You, alone meet the needs of Your people. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Psalm 84: 1-8; Mat 10:29-30

Thank God for Fellow Believers

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we praise You for the people You have placed in our path, past and present, who are believers and servants of Christ. In this, we give You glory for Your design of the Body of Christ, and the spiritual blessings You have lavished on every individual. John F. Kennedy once said, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” and we are also lifted up through the actions and encouragement of the saints.

Those who served before our time even build us up in Christ. We praise You God for those who wrote poetry, music, devotions, diaries, apologetics, fiction, governing documents, and commentaries. Each of these things contributes to our well-being today.

Praise You for our contemporaries who expound on the word of God through preaching, teaching, and book-writing, and for those believers everywhere who pray for things we don’t even think to pray for. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those who serve by running errands, cooking meals, cleaning, gardening, shoveling snow, repairing or decorating facilities, planning improvements, working with technology, playing music, providing security, designing Bible studies, counseling, organizing missions, visiting the sick, providing frontline communication, caring for children, providing for the poor, speaking words of encouragement, extending hospitality and listening to those with burdens.

We pray for the saints who are isolated from a body of believers: let them have fellowship in Christ first, for their total satisfaction, and give them fellowship with others somehow, even if only through technology.

Father, You have called us to serve one another in love, and Your design is beautiful. Let us give You glory and cause others to desire a relationship with You because we are faithful. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Rom 12:10; Gal 5:13, 6:10; Eph 4:2; 1 Thess 4:18; Heb 10:24

God’s Perfect Design in Creation

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise God our Creator

Dear Lord, we magnify Your Name for Your incomprehensible existence and all You have created. We praise You that, with each improvement in technology, we see exponentially more of Who You Are from the complexities of DNA to the trillions of galaxies observable in space. Glory be given to Your Name by every creature, Oh Lord, for You alone could conceive of this perfect and extraordinary design.

Prayer for Teachers to Elevate Creation

Each day we spend with students, we have opportunities to thoughtfully plan our conversations and work to glorify You, Lord. Work in our hearts to give us creativity and insight so that we can point to the glory of creation. Cause us to see all we can expound upon: the beauty, the peace it brings, the marvel of its power, the orderly design, the mastery that makes it incapable of duplication by human hands. Let our students be drawn to You through Your impressive systems and blueprints, Lord. Bless our efforts to celebrate Your work with our students. Prepare the hearts of each one to be impressed by Your glory and seek You because of what they see. Let them desire a relationship with You because of their experience of Your design, precious Lord, and bring salvation to them. Assure their souls of Your might and wisdom as they recognize Your work in what is visible and invisible around them. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

’For who has known the mind of the Lord,

or who has been his counselor?’

’Or who has given a gift to him

that he might be repaid?’

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen”

(Rom 11:33-36).

Gen 1:1-5; Ps 95:4-6

Prayer for Teachers’ Patience

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, all good things come directly from You and we praise You. You are the God of all patience and gentleness. We exalt You in these things, knowing that, without You, we could not extend these kindnesses to our students and others. Because You are good, You command us to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. We rejoice in the purity of Your requirements and ask that You empower us to honor You today.

Teach us to act with kindness, humility, meekness, and long-suffering with our students, fellow staff, administrators, and parents. Plant Your Word in our minds to cultivate an others-focus, not thinking primarily of ourselves but seeking to serve those around us. Let us be persuaded that we are Your humble servants, not driven by what we will gain but by Your gracious gifts in Christ Jesus and a heart of love toward those around us.

When we are tempted to give in to anger or retaliation, impatience or bitterness, guide us in Your will and Your ways for Your glory. Steer us to extend mercy and sacrificial patience toward those who seem especially abrasive, reminding us that we, too, have failings that affect others. In this, let our expectations be centered on grace toward all people rather than honor for ourselves.

Praise You for Your power at work in our lives to accomplish Your will. We are dependent upon Your Spirit to honor You in our work. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Ps 23; Ps 143:10; Mic 6:8; Mt 5:5; Eph 4:1-2; Col 3:12; 1 Thess 5:14; Jas 1:21

In The Presence of the Lord There Is Comfort

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, You are ever-present and Your Spirit comforts our souls. How we praise You! If only we could stay in Your Word all day. But Lord, let Your Word cling to our hearts and remind us of Your Truth as we go about our days so we can enjoy You all the more.

We pray for Your servants in schools to have Your comfort throughout their daily work. Lord, You alone know the weariness or even dread teachers can experience as they are impacted by the immature or selfish actions of their students and others. Lift their souls to meditate on Your Word and Your goodness. Stay with us as we travel this rocky road so we may hear Your Word welling up in our souls.

We thank You, Lord, that we can dwell in Your presence. Make us realize Your present blessings as we seek You through our difficulties, for in Your presence there is joy. Give us a fresh experience of Your full circle of protection for Your people, laying Your hand of peace and guidance upon us, and filling our hearts beyond comprehension. Encourage us that the darkness of the world will never cover us because You are light and You’re always with us. Work mightily to shine Your light through us as we work with the souls before us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. Ps 21:6; Ps 139:1-12; Ps 140:12-13; Luk 24:29

In the Shadow of Your Wings

Featured Joy Bennett

Psalm Friday

Dear Lord, we pray together for all the teachers You have placed in the mission field of education. The needs are great in every location: spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional. You have called us to show up each day and walk with You as our strength, promising our security in You, and giving us the promise of Your power to accomplish the work You have set before us. Praise You for Your faithfulness, Lord. Without You, we can do nothing.

The enemy doesn’t want us to be at work in the lives of these many students, staff, and parents. We can be tempted to give up, give in to apathy and hopelessness, or take a self-protective stance toward difficult people. Lord, send us Your peace. Allow us to rest in the shadow of Your wings, knowing that You cover Your people in security. Let us walk in repentance, holding to Your ways, keeping our eyes on Your Word, and enjoying Your steadfast love so we can extend it to others. Guide us to carve out time to spend in Your Word so our souls will be strengthened in You and our faith strong. Lord, for all the seeming victories our adversaries may gain, remind us of Your true goodness, power, and benefit which far outweigh those things. Your Spirit is within us, ministering peace to our souls. Your promises for our present and eternal benefit are immovable. We are blessed in the heavenly places with every spiritual blessing through Christ Jesus. Fill our souls with these truths and lead us to think rightly about our circumstances, growing in our knowledge of You and giving You glory with our work. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Psalm 17)

Lord Be Glorified in Us Through Praise

Featured Joy Bennett

Glory Be to God

Dear Lord, You alone are worthy of our praise. Regardless of our trials, difficult personalities we work with, trying students, pressing parents, or inexhaustible to-do lists, we know that You are always at work accomplishing Your perfect will. Glory be to Your Name.

Prayer for Hearts of Praise to God

Help us appropriately exalt You in our minds, hearts, and lives. Let praise be on our lips and in our souls throughout every day, removing the enemy’s power, and affirming Your glorious work that is already taking place. Be glorified in our lives with great light, hope, and joy so others will also magnify Your Name. Move our hearts to remember the mighty works You have done in our sight so that we overflow with rejoicing and praise, joining with the voices of the past saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luk 19:37-40). And, even if we’re experiencing great pain, lavish Your grace upon us through Christ Jesus that through Him we may continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to You, acknowledging Your Name and bearing fruit for Your glory (Heb 13:15).

“Praise our God,

all you his servants,

you who fear him,

small and great.

Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God

the Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory” (Rev 19:5-7)

Find Peace in God’s Loveliness

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Praise God Who is Ever Present, Our Peace, Advocate, Healer and Provider

Dear Lord, we come to You with praise for Your loveliness. We are captivated by Your moral perfection, goodness, holiness, and unsearchable glory. You are worthy of our worship for countless reasons. Thank You Lord for blessing us by sharing Your character: Your constant presence (Ps 46:1) and Your peace (Rom 5:1). Our hearts are blessed because You are our Great High Priest and Advocate (Heb 4:14; Rom 8:26,34). And we give You glory for being the Healer of our souls and bodies (Deut 32:39; Is 53:5), and for being our Provider who has already foreseen our every need and graciously provided for them (Rom 8:32; 2 Cor 9:8).

Prayer for Our Minds to Focus on His Loveliness

We pray for teachers everywhere to have a fresh perspective of Your praiseworthy and delightful character. Let Your people be captivated by Your glory as by the unsearchable glow of flames in a late-night campfire. Every day we have opportunities and challenges within our schools and we desire Your peace. Place Your Word in our hearts to remind us of Your peace which comes by delighting in Your beauty. You are worth everything to us. Help us be the teachers, mentors, colleagues, and servants You can use to show the world Who You Are. Lord, cause our hearts to rejoice in Your forgiveness, longsuffering, mercy, kindness, goodness, grace, and indwelling Holy Spirit. You are lovely beyond compare. What do we find attractive in this world but the good You have worked here: creation; the image of God in humanity, and Your Word? Flood our hearts with Your Truth for Your beauty never ceases to please our souls. In Jesus’s Name, we pray. Amen.

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O LORD of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, faints

for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and flesh sing for joy

to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young,

at your altars, O LORD of hosts,

my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

ever singing your praise! Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

As they go through the Valley of Baca

they make it a place of springs;

the early rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength;

each one appears before God in Zion.

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;

give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

Behold our shield, O God;

look on the face of your anointed!

For a day in your courts is better

than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

the LORD bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold

from those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts,

blessed is the one who trusts in you! (Ps 84)

Light of the World, Shine Through Us

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise God for His Light

Lord, we worship You for Your glorious Light in the earth. In the beginning, You created light, warmed the earth, and provided for the growth of Your beautiful plants and animals. You tell us You are Light (1 John 1:5) and that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 1:9). Your Word is also Light and we are eternally grateful that it gives us all we need to know about You. Father, we are humbled by Your greatness and for giving us these pure, glorious, and joyful gifts.

Prayer for God’s Light to Shine Through Us

Lord, as we go about our calling in our classrooms today, let us be aligned with Your Spirit and glorify You as lights in this dark world (John 3:19). We have Your Spirit dwelling within us and therefore bring something uniquely beautiful and comforting to our students and others around us. Nothing more than light demonstrates the benefit of a spiritual life lived with You. Father, make Your light a demonstration of Your perfection and goodness in our lives. May we be separated from all darkness and servants who bring Truth to our surroundings, illuminating and dispelling sin. Work in us so that we are precious and useful ministers to our students, giving them a craving for what is pure and holy. Your glory shines in creation and in Your people, Lord, let us be aligned with Your Spirit as we go about our instruction and work today. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Lord, the light of Your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness shining

Jesus Light of the world, shine upon us,

Set us free by the truth You now bring us

Lord, I come to Your awesome presence

From the shadows into the Your radiance

By the blood I may enter Your brightness,

Search me, try me, consume all my darkness

As we gaze on your kingly brightness

So our faces display Your likeness

Ever changing from glory to glory

Mirrored here, may our lives tell Your story;

Shine on me. Shine on me.

(Graham Kendrick, 1950)

Rest in Peace Because Our God is Holy

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Praise God Our Shepherd Who is Holy, Wise, and Unchanging

Dear Lord, our Holy God, we worship You because You alone are free from all sin and there is none other like You. In Your holiness, You are also wise, and unchanging. Thank You for showing us these things about Yourself. You are our Shepherd, associating with us as a friend, constantly caring for us, seeking us, and leading us in paths for our good. Bless You for Your purity Lord.

Prayer for Our Minds to Have Peace

Today, as each teacher goes about their work, attending to the many decisions before them, let their minds return to You, trusting You because of Your ultimately pure character. Build our faith that You are always good and powerfully work in our lives to bring about the highest benefit to Your children. Lord, You alone know the distractions and difficulties teachers face each day, at home and at work, but remind us that You are our shepherd, pure and holy, leading us in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Guide us to keep our minds fixed on the truth of Your Word, and to rest in Your unchanging, faithful ways. When troubles come into our lives, add an increasing measure of faith in our hearts that we may recognize Your unfailing wisdom, Your inability to do wrong because of Your holiness, Your constant and perfect character, and Your loving, merciful care which guides us through every circumstance. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Ex 15:11; Is 6:3; Job 9:3-4; Ps 23:1-3; Mala 3:6; John 10:13-15; Rom 16:27; Heb 13:8

Strength for Us and Glory for God

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise You, LORD, king forever; every nation and leader is in Your hand. You hear the desire of Your people who are afflicted, You will strengthen their hearts and listen closely to their prayers so that You can do justice to each one and remove the power of those who cause problems.

For every Christian teacher, Lord we pray for Your guidance. Let us wait patiently for You, LORD, and extend Your patience to our students. Encourage our hearts that You have heard our prayers and You are always working in ways we cannot see for the benefit of Your people. Impress Your Word upon our hearts so we live in the certainty of Your care: You set our feet upon a rock, make our steps secure, put a song in our mouths – a song of praise to our God, so we bring You glory and many are drawn to put their trust in You. Lord, strengthen our trust in You, reminding us that You alone work wonders in our lives. Your thoughts are turned to us night and day. Open our mouths to proclaim Your might and goodness, even an ever-flowing stream of praise.

LORD, we pray that You show us the many ways You tenderly care for us. You know us and look after us as a Shepherd with his flock. Let us also extend this care to the students and staff around us. Because we enjoy Your salvation, even peace in the middle of calamity, give us hearts to share this with others. Guide our prayers for our students and staff. Prompt us to act with blessing toward those around us. Even in times we struggle, let us be so comforted by You that we cannot help but extend Your grace to others. Let Your face shine upon us and reflect outward so that we are a city on a hill, a lamp on a stand that cannot be hidden, giving light to the blind and glorifying You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Ps 10:16-18; Ps 40: 1-5; Psalm 80.

Gain Peace by Your Thoughts of God’s Justice

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Praise God Who is Just, Right, Faithful, and Merciful

Dear Lord, we worship You because Your justice is consistent with Your righteousness. All that You are and all You do reflect Your moral perfection. You are faithful to Your people and we praise Your Name. You are also merciful in Your justice which is granted through the blood of Jesus and flows from Your immeasurable love for Your people. Praise You for the fullness of Your character coupled with Your compassions that never fail.

Prayer for Our Minds to Have Peace

Dear Lord, we pray for teachers, that they will freshly recognize the peace they can have in keeping their minds on Your justice. Since nothing good exists apart from You, we know that You deserve all of our worship. We pray especially for those who have trouble in their lives, asking that You comfort them by showing them Who You Are. Let them believe that You always do right. Cause praise to rise for Your moral perfection, even when they are still experiencing pain. Build their trust in Your faithfulness when they can’t see how everything works out. Open their eyes to Your mercy as You continue to work in the background of their circumstances. Convince them of Your love and perfect their faith in You even when their struggles seem unsurmountable.

Deep within the heart of each teacher, Lord, convince them of Your right judgments. You love when things are made right and You are the One who sees it through. Give us scriptures to meditate on, rehearsing Your faithfulness and love. Help us see new things in Your Word which give us encouragement as we wait for the full outcome of Your work. Keep us attentive to our hearts so that we confess our sins and reject despair. Let us be convinced of Your holy character for without faith it is impossible to please You.

Lord, many teachers are tempted to despair from day to day and You are the only solution. Speak Your peace to their hearts by convincing them of Your holy perfection. May their hope stand strong in You because of Your certain faithfulness. Help them see Your ways are always gracious and loving so that they rest in Your certain righteousness. Open their eyes to how Your mercies are new every morning because Your faithfulness is great.

Let each of us be astounded by Your mercy in light of our sin and help us worship You appropriately. Guide us to Your Word and move us to call on You, convinced that You are our Refuge, our Savior from every pursuer, and our Deliverance. With You, we are never overtaken, and when it seems like we are, You have an answer planned ahead of time. We will not be trampled but You, LORD, arise on our behalf, appointing judgment. May Your servants everywhere praise You for judging rightly at all times, even while You test our hearts and minds. You are our shield of peace, precious Lord, allow us to meditate on You Who are just. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen

Prayers for the End of the Year

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise

Dear Lord, our shield, we exalt Your Name. You are great and beyond measure. We turn to You in worship for Your holiness. In Your perfection, You are set apart from sin and provided salvation for Your people when nothing less would do. We are humbled by Your eternal love and provision for us.

Prayer

We pray for teachers who You established to accomplish Your work in the lives of others. Students, parents, and administrators often panic toward the end of the year when grades get posted and there is little time left for recovery. They often blame teachers for the problem when the responsibility belongs elsewhere. Lord, You know first-hand how difficult our lives become when others rise against us. And in Your compassion, You have provided for us. Remind Your servants that You are a shield about them, their glory, the lifter of their head. Keep their minds on the truth that, when they cry to You, You answer from Your holy hill. Let each one rest in You during these times of stress. Let them sleep and rest well, sustained by You and free from fear of those who oppose them.

Cause Your servants to know that You attend to their prayers, and You set examples in Scripture that we should call on You for salvation because You defend us completely. Salvation belongs to You, LORD. May Your blessings be on Your people. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 3

Have Peace: Elevate God’s Honor

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we pray for every teacher today, laying their needs at Your feet. The deep needs of students, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, have the potential to overtake the well-being of teachers. It is easy to focus on the interactions before us rather than Who You Are within us. Our responses to these difficulties often lead to sinful thoughts if not actions and each of us needs Your grace. We pray for salvation in the souls of those teachers who do not know You, and we pray for grace and peace for all.

We pray especially for Christian teachers to focus on the truth of Your character: nothing is honorable in all existence but You. We praise You for Your glorious might and purity. You alone are worthy of our highest regard. We pray for Your servants to lay their teaching duties before You. The temptations to look to personal effort are ever before us. Help us remember Your sovereignty and receive peace because You rule the entire universe and Your perfect plans are always accomplished. Evil never overcomes Your will. Keep our minds on the blessing of Your longsuffering character. You are never rashly angry toward us but You patiently endure our sin, giving us every opportunity to turn toward You. Let us similarly reflect Your character to our students and parents. Teach us also to embrace Your anger at sin which is against Your moral perfection and therefore must be punished. We praise You, Jesus, for suffering God’s wrath on the cross when we were the ones who deserved it. As we work, instruct us in Your righteousness that we may hate sin as You do. You alone are worthy of our worship. Lord, You are rightly jealous for Your people and we need Your guidance to keep our hearts turned toward You. Thank You for loving us with a jealous love, drawing us to Your perfection, when nothing else compares.

We pray for the teachers You have placed in schools as Your representatives, set apart to do Your will. Move our busy and distracted minds to focus on You. Administrative tasks are added to our endless to-do lists, but You call us to live a life of peace in the middle of the chaos. When we grasp even a portion of Your perfection, we are impacted by reverence and awe. Keep us close. Let us fellowship with You throughout each day, enjoying Your lavish gifts including every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, and enjoying our position as Your children.

Lord, remind us to plan our lessons with the weight of Your glory in mind. Guide our words so that we are reverent and set an example of the fear of God. Let us work through every task and human interaction showing You reverence by living lives of grace-driven self-control. Let these things create peace as we work on mission for Christ in our schools. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Eph 1:3-10; Phil 4;5,7,9; 1 Tim 3:8; Titus 2:2; Rev 5:12

This I Know, God is for Me

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we pray that You especially minister to Your people at work in schools everywhere today. For those who need Your grace as they’re treated poorly, Lord be gracious to them, reminding them that, when they are afraid, they can put their trust in You. Remind them to rehearse Your Word saying, “In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” As they speak these words, remind them that You are perfectly loving and merciful in all that You allow, even when they are tormented and weighed down. Especially in these times, fill them with assurance that You are at work in their lives for good. Let them say, “This I know, that God is for me.”

When Your people are focused on accomplishing Your will in their schools, when they are working hard to honor Your name with all of their choices, they often deal with people who try to intercept their efforts. They find that others rise up against them with evil thoughts, stirring up strife and examining their every step. Lord, this is such a distraction and frustration as we often feel that our enemies are the people around us rather than the spiritual forces of darkness. Give us comfort in knowing that You keep count of our struggles and You gather our tears because they are important to You.

For each one, Lord I pray that You renew their hope in You. Let them have rest as they meditate on the counsel of Your Word. Let them see that You promise to have victory over their enemies, beginning at the moment they call out to You. Let them say, “In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I shall trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Renew their strength to work for Your glory. Let them praise You for the work You are doing, even if they cannot see it yet. Let them experience deep joy in their souls and deliverance from the feelings of death the enemy sends. Give them assurance that, regardless of how things may look right now, You keep their feet from falling so they may walk before You in the light of life. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Psalm 56).

Christian Teachers, Fill Your Mind with Truth

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Praise God for Truth and Peace

Dear Lord, we praise You for Your unchanging nature (Heb 13:8) and that You are the source of all truth (John 14:6). We live in a world of constant change and even the attitudes and actions of our students change from moment to moment. It can be difficult for us to navigate these turbulent waters. Meanwhile, we thank You for creating a path to peace so we can be effective teachers and live with our minds at rest in You.

Prayer for Our Minds to Focus on Truth

Lord, we come to You, our source of peace (Is 26:3), knowing that You desire us to abide in Your peaceful presence as we go about our daily lives (Phil 4:5-7). Your Word is Truth (John 17:17). Help us to be sanctified by keeping our minds on what is true as You command us in Philippians 4:8, knowing that You will especially minister to us as we do so. Let us surround ourselves with the truth of Your Word, equipping our minds to meet our everyday challenges (Phil 4:7). Remind us that truth opposes everything false (1 John 2:21) and we will stand well against lies when we keep our minds fixed on You (Eph 6:10-17). When we are strong in You, we have peace, knowing that You are Truth and Life to our souls. When we are tempted to look at the problems around us: difficulties with students, staff, parents, or personal struggles, please prompt us to remember that keeping our minds focused on Who You Are, the great “I Am,” who keeps us in immovable security.

Fill Our Minds with These Truths

Lord, let our minds be filled with the knowledge that You are the source of our every need and You desire to give us the best possible blessing in every situation. You have loved Your people with an everlasting love in accordance with Your eternal nature – a love set in motion before we were created and a love never fading in the midst of our trials. The truth is, as You act in Your perfect love toward us, You are all-powerful, You know all things, and You are all-wise. The truth is that we are saved and eternally belong to God our Father, living daily in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places because of the work of Christ on our behalf. By the faith You have generously supplied, through the grace You alone can give, by the work of Christ alone, we receive these beautiful gifts. How much You have worked on our behalf, Lord. In You alone, we can rest securely. We pray that You constantly guide us to keep our minds on these truths so that we may be at rest, and give You glory as we go about our days. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Your Perfect, Delicate Love

Featured Joy Bennett

Lord, as You have loved me with

This everlasting and perfect love,

How could I ever doubt

Your goodness on my behalf? In

Your holy perfection,

Before one thought was created,

You loved me.

You brought me into being,

Loving me all the while,

Protecting me,

Planning our fellowship, and

Your revelations to me.

You had already set aside

Gifts to give me,

Faith to fill me,

Joy to grace my soul, yes,

Deep, unsearchable

Joy as I learn

Your facets, as

You illuminate each one, as

You open them slowly

Before my eyes.

As a flower opens to the

Morning sun,

Almost imperceptible in its

Delicate movement, so

Your revelations are to me, so

Your way with me, so

Your impression upon me, so

Your life in me.

(Eph 1:4-6)

Quiet Your Mind Place Your Thoughts on God’s Peace

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise to God for His Peace and Goodness

Dear Lord, we thank You that in You alone we can have peace. You are holy and true peace exists only in the absence of sin. We thank You that, in our relationship with You, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven, including all of Your goodness which is at work in our lives at all times.

Prayer for Peace

Father, we come to You with all the problems and stress we face with our personal, work, family, and social lives. We desire to walk closely with You, knowing that we especially affect the lives of the students, staff, and parents around us throughout our daily walk. Help us to think according to Your will. We face temptations to meditate on fears and rehearse projected scenarios, but You tell us to take our thoughts captive for Christ. Help us to practice this by replacing our imaginations with the truth of Your goodness. We are always thinking something – let us think about You.

Guide us to practice Your peace through the outline You have given us in Philippians 4:8 which says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Lord, in order to practice this command, let us keep scripture in our minds that proclaims Your character and work on our behalf. Let us remind ourselves that You cause all things to work together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose (Rom 8:28). Let us study and memorize verses such as, “The LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright shall behold His face” (Psalm 11:7) and “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8) which remind us of Your perfect heart toward us and Your sacrificial gifts to us at all times.

Guide us to remain connected to the many truths You give us about your praiseworthy character. In this way, with our minds dwelling on You, we are kept in perfect peace (Is 26:3). For Your glory in our lives, we pray In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Courage

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, thank You that You are worthy of our trust at all times. We never know what our next moments will look like but we want to trust in Your faithful care, regardless of what may come.

When we work with students and so many others each day, Lord we face many trials. Let us remember that You stand faithfully by our side as our loving guide. Help each of us honor You as we take courage in You alone.

In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Read my devotion: Take Courage in God’s Promised Care

Strengthen One Another

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise God for Fellowship

Dear Lord, we praise You for Your love for us and Your desire to fellowship with us. You so generously reached out to us in love through the sacrifice of Your son and You continue to fellowship with us through Your indwelling Holy Spirit and through Your Word. Thank You for these beautiful gifts and thank You for strengthening us daily and empowering us to strengthen one another.

Prayer for Believers to Strengthen One Another

Lord, let Your body of believers who are on mission with You, working with schools, come together for the common good. Let fellowship rise between individuals, teacher prayer groups, and Christian organizations such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Young Life, and more. Let Your people provide for one another’s needs in prayer, encouragement, physical help, and love. Let us search for ways we can minister to one another as any may have a need. Also, provide ways for us to come together in fellowship so that we may rejoice together and have our hearts uplifted, praising You and setting an example of joy for those around us. Lord, let Your witness go ahead of us for Your glory (Acts 2:44-47).

As we come together, Lord, let us be especially dedicated to holding one another up in prayer, service, and encouragement. We fight many battles during our service with schools and, like Moses in Exodus 17, there are times when we are too tired to continue. But, when we strengthen one another, we are victorious together. Let us steady one another and let Your servants prevail in each battle they fight for Your glory (v10-13).

Lord, You remind us in Your Word that, “[t]hough one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecc 4:12). We praise You that when we come together in Your name, You are the third strand, especially strengthening us to serve You in every situation. Let Your glory prevail on the mission field of schools. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

The Solution for Pride

Featured Joy Bennett

Praise to God for His Gift of Grace

Dear Lord, we praise You for giving us the gift of salvation and no part of it comes from us (Eph 2:8-9). You work through the foolish and weak things of the world so that we cannot boast before You (1 Cor 1:27-28). Thank You for Your gracious, all-powerful character at work on our behalf.

Prayer Against Pride in Teachers

Lord, we thank You for giving us the gift of teaching. Let us humbly remember that every good and perfect gift is from You and not from ourselves (Jas 1:17). We struggle with humility, as all humans do, so we ask for Your grace to abound in our lives, helping us rehearse Your power at work and that none of our progress is achieved without Your gracious hand upon our work (Jas 4:6; Ps 34:2). Lord, especially as we work with students and others, let us remember that we can make mistakes — allow us to humbly make corrections. Similarly, let us give this grace to our students (Rom 12:10) who, also, are in the process of learning. Help us to work humbly with our peers, recognizing You allow us all to have different strengths and weaknesses (1 Cor 12:21-22).

Prayer Against Pride in Students

Gracious Lord, we come before You on behalf of our students as well. Open their eyes to the truth that strife comes because of pride (Pv 13:10). Let them turn away from their pride and be strengthened by grace (Heb 13:9). By this grace let them love You with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12: 30), and not themselves. For those who stubbornly continue in their pride, Lord we ask that You allow them to see that they are being deceived as Eve was in the garden (Gen 3:4-6) and that pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before stumbling (Prov 16:18). If they are stuck in their sin, we pray that, while the stakes are low, You allow them to learn their need for You by whatever means possible. Let the literary lessons and voices of others help them see the truth about our humble condition before You. Also, let them see Your endlessly giving character and desire to be part of Your family because of it. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Faith in God Over Man

Featured Joy Bennett

No Faith in Humanity

Dear Lord, as Christian teachers work among lost students, staff, and others, we encounter increasing faithlessness in the world. We are surrounded by those who lie or are two-faced and cannot be trusted. Others are filled with ugly pride, oppressing and excluding others. We turn to You because You alone can save us during these trials. As we sometimes fear the worst, You can save us from our imaginations. Help us, Lord, to honor You with the meditations of our hearts.

The Faithfulness of God

Meanwhile, Lord, in Your faithfulness, You hear the call of the poor and needy and You arise. You provide the safety we long for as we call on You with surrendered hearts. Praise You for the certainty of Your promises. Your words are pure, Lord – glowing embers of hope that we can carry in our minds, currently engaging us in the blessings of eternity amidst our struggles. Let each teacher be encouraged and praise You, for You will keep us. You will guard us from a godless generation. Though the odds seem to be against us, with evil on every side and sin exalted among the people, You are Mighty. Lord, lift our hearts and minds to You as we continue in the mission field of our schools for “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You” (Is 26:3). In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Psalm 12; Ps 19:14; 2 Chron 7:14; 2 Kings 6: 8-12 esp. v17)

Teach the Truth, Bring Glory to God

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we come to You as our holy God. There is no one like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises (Ex 15:11; Rev 4:8) and we ask You to help us as Christian teachers to be set apart from the world’s system as we teach various topics. Especially for those of us who teach in public schools, Lord, help us see how our teaching can bring You glory. We can use history, science, language, art, and more to discuss what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent (Phil 4:8).

Lord, we worship You as our Creator, knowing that You called everything into existence and through Your perfect wisdom and knowledge You have formed everything to reflect Your glory (Ps 146:5-6; Col 1:16). Let our teaching honor this truth by pointing to the infinite value of human beings. All humans, regardless of their differences or actions, are made in the image of God and we should seek to show them love and care throughout their lives. Lord, give us Your words to communicate these truths to our students.

Keep us mindful, Lord, that because of Your work on the cross and Your resurrection on our behalf, we are not of the world and You sanctify us in the truth of Your Word as we are sent into the world to do the good work You have set before us (John 17:16-19; Eph 2:10). Let us, then be lights for Your glory in our classrooms. You, God, are light, and in You, there is no darkness at all. Let us fellowship with You in light, practicing truth, and pointing our students to the goodness You have set before us (1 John 1:5-7, Ps 31:19).

Lord, for every Christian teacher, let us keep our eyes on You as our loving Lord who has loved us with an everlasting love and with lovingkindness have drawn us to Yourself (Jer 31:3). In this, let us work on the mission field of our schools to prepare the hearts of our students by showing them this same love and kindness and let us help them desire it in every area of their lives that they may recognize their need for You at the proper time. Thank You for placing Your people in schools throughout the world, Lord. We praise You for how You are at work. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Prayers for Travel Mercies

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, for many teachers and students, travel is a regular part of their school year. We pray for Your blessings over these travels, recognizing that there can be risks and dangers involved in each situation. Thank You, Lord, that You are all-knowing, recognizing every aspect of our circumstances and we pray for You to guide us accordingly (Ps 139; Pv 5:21). We thank You that You are also ever-present, our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Ps 46:1). Lord, let those who have fears about traveling turn to You and rest in Your strength and peace. Let parents and loved ones who worry over the risks in travels turn to You and be comforted by You in faith.

Lord, we pray for commutes, local trips, cross-country travels, and trips to other countries. We know that unforeseen circumstances may arise at any time. Encourage us that You are our Provider, and when Your children have concerns, You’ve already got a plan to provide for our needs (Rom 8:32). Another factor in travels is weather. You are the Creator (Ps 146:5-6; Col 1:16), in charge of all weather. We pray that You orchestrate storms and temperatures for the benefit of these groups. Also, guide these teachers, coaches, students, and parents so that they have safety in every variable of weather. We ask for Your Wisdom on each trip as well. There are many concerns when traveling with students: proper oversight by adults, financial provision, thorough planning, preparation for injuries, and more. But You, Lord, are completely wise, having perfect knowledge (Job 9:3-4; Rom 16:27) and we ask You to share Your wisdom with us for these things and for all that we cannot foresee.

In all these things we worship You for Your greatness. You are beyond anything we can imagine. Let each traveler and those who stay at home be comforted by Your greatness (Deut. 3:24; Job 37:5), blessing You in worship and trusting in Your perfect plans. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Sharing Faith and Blessing Others

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we pray for Christian teachers to have grace and boldness to share their faith with their peers. You, Who are able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to Your power at work within us, are deserving of glory in our lives and we pray that the people around us will glorify You because of Who You Are in us in the workplace (Eph 3:20-21). Let it be the desire of our hearts, and that of all of our brothers and sisters, to testify of Your Lordship in our lives (Acts 10:42) and make Your Light known as John did (John 1:8). Lay it on the hearts of each Christian teacher to share their faith, knowing this is an organic outcome of living a gospel-centered life (Mt 24:14). Remind us that those of us who acknowledge You before others will also be acknowledged before our Father in Heaven (Mat 10:32).

Father, we ask You to gift Your servants with creative and natural ways to share their faith. Remind us to pray for our co-workers and then let them know we have been praying. Encourage us also that, when people know we pray, they often ask us for prayer and this helps their faith journey. Additionally, give us opportunities to share what we’re doing at church – even the smallest mention helps others see our faith. In the course of conversation, guide us to share that God has answered our prayers during stressful times because this glorifies You and allows others to witness our relationship with You.

Lord, we also praise You for the benefits of sharing our faith. Teachers are often isolated in their classrooms and working with many unsaved students. When we open the door to faith conversations with peers, we find out who else is a believer on staff and we can especially pray, encouraging one another in our faith. Also, help us remember that other teachers may be familiar with Christian students we don’t yet know. When they learn that we are believers they will share this truth with students who will also benefit from knowing we are in the body of Christ with them. Thank You that You bind us together as family in our faith and that we are mutually encouraged when we share in the knowledge of Your work in others. “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power (2 Thess 1:11). In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Diligence vs Indifference

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we raise our voices in prayer for Your people who are serving as teachers and for those who serve as Your witnesses in schools. Let each one be diligent in his business, despite the growing apathy of students, their parents, or other staff (Proverbs 22:29) so that they may stand before You in good conscience. We praise You for the gift You have given Your servants, and we ask for Your strength so that they may act with all diligence in their service (Romans 12:8). For every Christian servant, it is a privilege to serve You, Lord, as a response to Your servant sacrifice on our behalf through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Lead Your chosen ones and give them Your vision for how to live gospel-centered lives, shining their light as Your people in a dark world, illuminating sin, and drawing others to the beauty of Your gift in the Lord Jesus Christ. Light a fire in their hearts so they desire to honor You with faithfulness in their actions (Mat 23:23), knowledge of Your Word (2 Tim 2:15), and wisdom in their choices (Mat 24:45).

Father, lead Your people to do their work well and constantly seek for a better way to incorporate biblical truth into their lessons, conversations and daily walk. For those in public schools, give them the wisdom to act without breaching the separation of church and state. Guide each one to honor God and authority (Rom 13). Regardless of disinterest or slack convictions in those nearby, Lord, help Your workers be characterized by thoughtfulness, excellence, diligence, and may they be strong in their convictions for Your glory.

Lord, we also ask You to remind them of Your calling as missionaries in their schools. Let them be faithful in much and hear You say to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mat 25:23). Give them focus and energy; make them fervent in spirit and zealous for serving You (Rom 12:11). Coach them do their work as good stewards that they may be found faithful (1 Cor 4:2) and persevering.

Your power is at work in Your people and we give You glory for all You are doing, seen or unseen. Let Your loving heart for drive the decisions of each worker You have appointed. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Loving Actions Make the Difference

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we worship You as all-wise, for wisdom is Yours (Daniel 2:20). We ask You to guide teachers who regularly have difficult decisions to make as they work with students, parents, administrators, or staff. Your principles are the best guidance we can ask for and we pray that You keep the minds of teachers set on righteousness for Your glory.

Lord, remind each one that, when it is within their power, and as they have opportunity, they should seek to do good to everyone (Pv 3:27, Gal 6:10). We know that good decisions can be a variety of things so we also ask You to help each one seek that which is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God, not according to the patterns of this world but by the guidance of Your Word (Rom 12:2).

Especially for Christian teachers, we thank You that when we seek You in Your Word, we find that Your will is that we love You and love others (Mat 22:36-38). Help each teacher gain the wisdom to determine the most loving actions they can provide toward others at any given moment. Especially when working with students, for a child to reap the greatest benefit, guide the teacher to come to You for wisdom knowing that if they lack wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and they will receive it (Jas 1:5).

In each situation, You call us to model the love of Christ. Lord, help these teachers imitate You by laying their preferences at Your feet and setting their minds on the things of Christ (Col 3:2) so that they may put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with and forgiving others. Above all these, let them put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts, and let them be thankful to You for Your guidance. Let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, and whatever they do, in word or deed, let them do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Col 3:12-17).

Lord, You are our God of second chances and we pray for wisdom to recognize how often we need to give second chances to our students and others. Help us be filled with all the fullness of God, satisfied in You, and obedient to accomplish Your will here on earth (Eph 3:14). Open our eyes to the needs of our students and allow us to make progress where progress can be made, holding every decision before You, knowing that You are our loving, sovereign, trustworthy God Who delights in guiding us in each situation. In Your Name and for Your glory, Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Wisdom for Students

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, children everywhere need Your wisdom. We especially see this as they interact in their classrooms and with peers and so we ask You to intervene in their lives and provide the wisdom only You can provide. We pray for their teachers to be intentional in guiding them to wisdom and insight.

We pray for their parents, caregivers, and teachers to give them wise instruction and that these students will hear and even be attentive. Let them realize the good in it, be mindful, gain insight, and practice what is right. As they are tempted to make poor choices, let them cling to the wisdom they have heard, live well, and turn to Your commandments at the time You appoint. With this, show them that wisdom will exalt them in the end. Let them walk with honor by turning to You.

Lord, You are the author of wisdom and Your Word is truth. Let each student hear and accept Your Words, and let them bring life to each one. Open their eyes to the ways of wisdom and lead them in paths of righteousness. Guide their steps to go smoothly, and help them hang on to instruction, recognizing that it is life to them. Help them see wickedness as a danger and its destiny as deep darkness; let them turn away from it and walk on the straight and narrow path of light.

We pray that You, Lord, allow Your wise Words to be woven into the daily education of each child. Let them, then, be attentive to Your Words and sayings, experiencing them frequently and also finding them in their hearts. Your Words are life and health and we praise You for Your generosity in giving them to us. We also pray that You protect these truths from being snatched up by the enemy. Let each student recognize the goodness of wisdom and guide them to keep their hearts in righteousness which leads to life.

Let each student practice righteousness, founded in wisdom by avoiding evil talk and replacing it with life-giving words. Let them wisely focus on the good You have set before them, think carefully about each step they take, and choose what is pleasing to You above all (Proverbs 4).

Thank You for Your gracious gift of wisdom, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Hope in Christ and Eternity

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we praise You for Your Word which reminds us: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as He is pure” (1 John 3:3 ESV).

Lord, we have hope because You have completed Your work on our behalf through Your sacrifice on the cross. Like grateful students, let us go and see our Teacher. Let us pray to see You clearly through Your Word. Let us develop our perspective of Your glory and goodness, and the fullness of Your character so that we joyfully honor You in our daily walk. May our established hope of eternity with Christ be coupled with our awareness of Your presence and power with us now. And, may it motivate us to the most strenuous efforts in our service to You in the mission field of education and in every aspect of our lives.
Lord, we also pray for Your abiding presence and powerful Word to motivate us to purity in our Christian walk. We know we are weak and especially susceptible to fatigue in our work as teachers. Lord, help us fight against evil, sin by sin. We know that the war has been won by You already, but we remain in the small lingering battles of the land. Let us turn to You for constant cleansing, enveloping ourselves in Your Word, and may we gain Your strength and power to walk in purity. Our greatest hope is our fellowship and communion with You.

Assurance of Blessings

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, as Christian teachers, we have special blessings and we praise You for this ongoing truth. We praise You for Your indwelling Holy Spirit and His certification that we belong to You and we are Your children (Rom 8;15-17; Gal 4:6; 1 John 4:3). We praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your work on our behalf because without it we would not have Your Holy Spirit and the many blessings You have assured us of through Your death for us and Your resurrection in victory over sin and death. This gospel truth is just the beginning of our many assurances in You Lord and we pray for Christian teachers everywhere that You magnify these truths within their hearts and let them live fresh lives filled with joy by their recognition of them. For teachers without these blessings, Lord we pray for their souls to be saved and their hearts to be committed to You.

Lord, as these Christian teachers work diligently in Your Name, remind them that You are the author and perfecter of our faith and that we are not responsible for mustering up a certain amount of this faith to receive Your blessings. Meanwhile, give them a firm conviction to steep their souls in Your faith-giving Word and live in the assurances You give us by faith (Heb 10:22). We especially need this as we work with children and others daily in schools. Remind us that the assurances of Your blessings on our behalf are life-sustaining and the resulting hope causes us to overflow with good works on this mission field.

Lord, uplift our hearts in assurance of our salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We praise You that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are saved (Rom 8:16) so we are assured that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13) and this gives us hope and a constantly Godward gaze. Encourage our hearts that, as we look to You in Your Word and in worship, the rays of Your light travel down to the smallest of our hearts, warming them and opening our lives into beautiful blooms. With this, we have the assurance that these same rays of hope bring purity to our lives (Eph 5:26). Indeed, those who look to Him are radiant and filled with joy (Ps 34:5).

Lord, we ask that every Christian teacher will rest in the assurance of Your indwelling power at work within us (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 4:30; Phil 2:13), and Your love toward us in all things, even in suffering in which we have a special communion with Christ through His Words of fellowship and strength for us in every worldly interaction (Rom 8:28, 1 Peter 4:10).

Lord, we also have Your sufficient grace on our behalf and in every situation, assurance that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus and assurance of Your loving care. Let each one be convinced of these truths throughout their lives. Lord, as these teachers work to overcome the natural obstacles of working with people, minister to their hearts with the assurances that You lead each of us, Your loving power is at work and You can be trusted. You have given us full assurance that blessings are ours even in suffering, and we are promised Your presence as we experience joy and the other fruits of the spirit. We pray all these things in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Prayers for Parents

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, thank You that nothing is outside of Your infinite knowledge and that You know the needs of all mankind (Ps 139:1-6; Pv 5:21). We also praise You for knowing our need for a savior and that You sent Your Son to die for the sins of man, even to be God with us, providing all that You are to meet our every need (Is 7:14; Mat 1:22-23). Lord, we pray today for the parents of every child, for Your knowledge is perfect and Your power to meet their needs is infinite.

There is an entire generation, if not more, of parents who have been disempowered by the lies of society and they do not know how to raise their children. Lord, we ask for Your truth to prevail in the minds of parents everywhere. Lord, show them that the path of truth is the path of peace they’re seeking (Is 59:8, 20-21; John 14:6,27). We also pray for these parents to have tools for loving discipline and incentives for their children, recognizing that parents may also need mentors to speak into their lives regularly. Lord, let them learn to model forgiveness and create peace-filled homes. Let them model humility, not entitlement, kindness, not self-centeredness.

Parents also need insight and we ask You Lord to help them intercept damaging friendships their children might have. Let them also see how technology is affecting their children and give them the courage and steadfast determination to manage it well. We pray for insight into health problems their children may have and ask You to guide them to proper medical care. And, with insight, let them see where boundaries and discipline may be needed over medication for behavior problems. For those who are raising older children, we pray that you give each parent currency with their child so that there are meaningful tools the parent can use when coaching their child to maturity.

The attitudes of parents toward their children can be a difference-maker as well. Lord, we ask You to guide parents to be helpful and supportive, but not overbearing. Give them the commitment to spending intentional time with their kids so they will understand how to treat others well and learn how to properly respond to frustrations.

Lord, we pray for the interactions of parents with school personnel. Lord, let humility and kindness prevail when parents work with school staff. Prevent parents from being deceived by the words of their children who may pit their parents against the authorities at school. We pray that parents will be reasonable, not angry, but kind, not rude or self-serving, but patient. Give parents a deep appreciation for the work of school staff which includes incalculable interruptions, discipline issues, and a never-ending to-do list. And, let them see that the staff members want what is best for every child.

Finally, Lord, we pray for Christian parents, grandparents, and foster parents to faithfully point their children to the gospel. Let their families be especially effective and loving toward the community. Guide them to be a strong witness for You and Your goodness, love, mercy, compassion, grace, and peace. Let them especially watch out for children who do not have what they need at home, and let them have a heart for providing for those children’s needs. Give those parents a consistent inclination to pray for schools, staff, students, and other parents, Let them serve in schools as volunteers who shine their light before men and help their schools experience the goodness of God. Let them understand that their work of love promotes softened hearts in others which cultivates the ground for receiving the gospel.

Finally, Lord, where parents are struggling, where grandparents are raising grandchildren, where foster parents are serving, where any children are being raised by adults who are not their parents, we pray for Your special mercies and grace. And, for Your glory, we ask that Your wisdom abound to every parent seeking to raise their children well. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Prayers for Staff and Volunteers

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, how we praise You that You are Lord over every human being and every spiritual force – all are under Your governing leadership. Lord, we praise You for Your power everywhere and especially on behalf of Your people (Genesis 2:1 Isaiah 45:12). Lord, we are also humbled by Your ever-present goodness toward mankind and specifically toward Your people (Psalm 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8).

You have placed Your people to work in schools on mission with You. Let each one recognize Your good gifts to them, Your heart of mercy, pity, and compassion. Let them recognize how long-suffering You are, how patient, how gracious. Let each one feel the power of Your justice on their behalf and recognize that You are unchanging, infinitely wise, and that You exist in sovereign moral perfection.

Lord, we pray for resource officers, kitchen staff, bus drivers, and detention supervisors. We pray for administrators, study hall teachers, janitors, and secretaries. We pray for student aids, classroom helpers, technology specialists, and those in facilities maintenance who care for our buildings, snow removal, grounds & lawn care. We pray for librarians, coaches, school nurses, and counselors. We pray for the myriads of others who similarly work with students in our schools. Lord, let them be aware of Your goodness toward them and let them extend it to the students they work with.

For each of these workers who are Christians, Lord, we pray they will uniquely shine Your light in their Christian witness, showing excellence in work and communication. Let them make beneficial relationships with students, established in kindness, as they work with a missions mindset: shining their light before men and planting seeds You, Lord, can use for growth in the gospel at the time of Your choosing. Guide them to pray well for those they work with, exercise forgiveness, and work with the joy of the Lord in their hearts.

Finally, we know the workers are few, so we pray that You, Lord, raise a new generation of servants who will work in this mission field of schools. Meanwhile, we praise You that the existing harvest is ripe. Give Your people hearts for serving the lost and let them recognize the blessings they receive as they walk in what is pleasing to You (Luk 19:10; Neh 8:10b; Col 3:23-24, 4:3; Rom 2:4; Eph 4:32; Mat 5:16, 9:37).

Keep Your Joy in Teaching

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear LORD, as Christian teachers, we are susceptible to losing our joy for many reasons: problems with our work-life blend; interactions with difficult people (staff, students, parents, family, or friends), challenges at home, health issues, time constraints, unrealistic expectations from supervisors, frequent challenges and changes in systems, or sins and misjudgments in our own lives. But, Lord, we praise You for Your sacrificial love on our behalf. There is none like You. By Your sacrifice, Lord, we can have Your Spirit and the fruit of Your Spirit including joy (Gal 5:22).

Lord, please renew our souls and sustain our joy as we work in our schools each day. Let us be filled with the hope that You promise to act in every circumstance to bring about good for those who love You and who are called according to Your purpose (Rom 8:28). As we expect good outcomes in every situation, because of Your all-knowing faithfulness and goodness, cause joy to spring up within us.

Lord, we desire that You will work through us for Your glory in our students and we trust that You shine the light of Your presence and love through us each day, whether we feel strong or weak. We praise You for this promise and the joy that it brings. Let us live in the knowledge of Your work in us and walk in God-glorifying joy because of it.

Lord, we recognize that You are the only source of true joy and this comes from our awareness of Your grace and favor – You lean toward us in all Your goodness. We praise You that this joy opposes sorrow and is a result of faith. It is a result of our blessedness as we are seated in heavenly places (Eph 2:1-10). For this reason, all of Your blessings are upon us. Let us be radiant with cheerfulness and calm delight.

We especially praise You that Your work on the cross, on our behalf, is coupled with Your gift of the Holy Spirit as our helper in every moment. Your endless gifts in our moment of salvation result in rest, freedom, and spiritual healing. What joy! You give us a sense of acceptance with God, communion with You, and stillness before You as we recognize Your all-bright and beautiful character. Indeed, we have clear consciences and a quiet peace within our hearts as we trust You.

Lord, we also experience joy when You are the object of our worship and the reason for our work. Because You have brought us spiritual health, we may work as the body of Christ which brings gladness. Keep our eyes on You, the light of our eternal hope, and our deep, abiding joy.

Our gifts through Your work on the cross include even more. Lord, we praise You for the joy that You remove the fears before us, and our inner strife. In You, we can be free from the conflict between our consciences and our inclinations. In You, we can walk in power over our will and our passions. In You, we can experience the joy of the Lord as we become free from the sins that tear our hearts down and make sorrow and agitation. In You, our sense of sin is removed and our angry, stinging consciences are healed.

Lord, how we praise You for the joy we have in Christ Jesus. Let our joy overflow to everyone we work with. Let it energize our planning and grading, our counsel and instruction. Let Your joy be a light in our lives, attracting others to worship You as we celebrate Your presence and Your work within us. Let us be powerful witnesses for You as we live as Your holy servants, who enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit working through us, stamping out grief, and making the joy of the Lord our strength (Neh 8:10). We pray these things in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Prayers for Homeless Students

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, our Creator (Ps 146:5-6), we praise You for creating mankind and each student we have the privilege of working with. We praise You that You are our advocate (Heb 4:14), a father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows (Psalms 68:5). Lord, let us do Your work on earth to care for our homeless students. We need Your help so that we can see which of our students are experiencing homelessness. Open our eyes and let us draw near to them and comfort them during this difficult time (Jas 1:27). Help us to help them and protect them from those who may want to take advantage of them during their time of weakness (Ex 22:22).

Dear Lord, for those who lack food and clothing, may we have opportunity and provision so that we can provide for them (Deut 10:18). You can bless the work of our hands and bring provision to these students and their families (Deut 14:29). Meanwhile, we also pray that You protect the physical safety of these children. You are their protector, God Almighty, keeping safe from sword those who have no father or power (Job 5:15). When these people are suffering, let us see their trouble and grief as You do, and may we act immediately and with diligence to help them as their needs require (Ps 10:14). And, Lord, for the homeless children who are not in schools and receiving support, let them come and receive Your love through Your people.

As Christian teachers, may we, above others, defend the weak, the poor, and fatherless and maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed (Ps 82:3). Do not let us be so busy with our daily responsibilities that we become unaware of these needs in the lives of our children. Let us be merciful as You are merciful (Luk 6:36). Let us imitate Christ in reaching out to the sick, poor, and needy for the glory of God, acting without judgment, and showing abounding love and compassion. We can only do these things well by the power of Your Holy Spirit and so we ask You to accomplish Your work through us at each opportunity. We praise You Lord for Your loving work through us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.