God is All-Powerful – Planted by Streams

From Strength to Strength

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

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)

Rest in Peace Because Our God is Holy

Featured Joy Bennett

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

Christian Teachers, Fill Your Mind with Truth

Featured Joy Bennett

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Refuge in Adversity

Featured Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, as Christian teachers we face adversity and trials in our personal lives, as well as our school lives. Yet, You are most certainly our place of security. You are the Most High, Almighty, LORD, God – what affirming reminders of Your sufficiency as our refuge! Let us abide in you, for then we are secure. Let us experience the immovable, unshakeable assurance that our fellowship with You, our enjoyment of You, our meditation upon You, our living, breathing, and resting in You, are immovable and will not even be paused in the moment of our transition from mortality to immortality, from time to eternity.

Lord, because You are our refuge, let us confidently commit ourselves and our concerns to You in trust. We desire to rest in Your perfect care regarding all natural and spiritual dangers. Lord, we know that in You we have all that we need or could ever desire. Help us fix our eyes upon You and know You rightly so that we may have firm trust in what You allow in our lives, recognizing that Your will is nothing to fear because You have promised us Your love and protection from now through eternity. Help us also to remember that You have promised to judge sin and You will faithfully handle all of the adversity that surrounds us. You have placed us under Your powerful protection now and forever and Your care abounds in fatherly love and fierce defense.

We pray also regarding our frequent fears, that You satisfy us with faith in You, with deep trust and tranquil confidence in Your promises. You remind us in Your Word that the world harbors many matters of evil: accidents, destructive forces, secret and blatant misconduct, spiritual forces of darkness and temptation, and invisible works of disease, death, and destruction. However, in Your all-sufficient refuge, we have a most comforting shield and a place of divine rest.

Lord, for Christian teachers throughout the world we pray that You build our faith in Your blessed strength and presence on our behalf. Let us rest in You and may our witness as Your people be evident as we cling to You in the process. In Jesus’s Name, we pray. Amen. (Ps 91:1-5)

Prayers for Our Administrators

March 22, 2024May 16, 2024 Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we come to You because You are the Lord of Lords (1 Tim 6:15), ruling over every leader on earth. We also recognize that our leaders’ hearts are a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; You turn them wherever You will (Pv 21:1) and we praise You.

Lord, because You choose who will lead Your people in every generation, we pray that You will establish godly leaders within our schools (Acts 15:14; Rev 5:9). Lord, guide them so that their decisions are governed by wisdom, making them inclined to gain more wisdom and making them wise unto salvation (Prov 24:3; 2 Tim 3:15).

Lord, we know that You care about our health and You are willing to bring healing (Mat 9:22; Luk 9:11) and we ask You to bring good health to our leaders so that they may serve with energy, clarity of mind, and be free from the distraction of health problems. Let them lead with equity, free from overly strict standards, enacting justice beyond normal justice, fulfilling the spirit and not just the letter of the law (Phil 4:5; Tit 3:2). Lord, it is You who provides us with everything we need for life and godliness. We pray that You would guide our leaders to support Your people who work in schools, recognizing the excellent work and trustworthiness of each one, and may our administrators ultimately see that the power of Christian servants is from You (2 Cor 4:7; 2 Pet 1:3) and deserving of Your praise.

Lord, for our administrators, I pray that You would protect their time so that they can accomplish their responsibilities. The world is a great thief of time and administrative jobs, as all jobs in education, can produce an endless to-do list. Let each person in these positions have the support from others and discernment within to create needed space for accomplishing their tasks and putting off what doesn’t need to be done at the time (Hab 3:19; 2 Sam 22:34; Ps 18:32). Also, political powers, school boards, headstrong teachers, and parents are often forces that can be intimidating. We pray that they would not fear man (Pv 29:25) but be dedicated to righteousness, ultimately fearing God and seeking to do Your will. With this, Lord, we ask that You give them wisdom in facilities safety and employee oversight, politics and financial matters, and social and legal concerns (Pv 24:3-7; Luk 2:52; Eph 1:17).

It is also important that our leaders’ eyes be open to the deceitfulness of mankind and recognize how they should lead in any given situation and ask You, Lord, to reveal these things to them for Your ultimate glory in righteousness (Rom 13:3). Similarly, we pray that their priorities will be in line, elevating students’ physical and academic needs and resisting the driving forces and personal agendas that rise so regularly.

Finally, Lord, we pray for their personal lives and ask for a healthy blend of work and personal time. We ask for the well-being of their loved ones and that You orchestrate an ever-increasing desire for a personal relationship with Christ in each one. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Serve Well in Your Mission Field

March 8, 2024May 16, 2024 Joy Bennett

Thank You, God, for Your work in Christian teachers all over the world – we recognize that it is You Who work in Your people to will and to act according to Your good purpose. Let us keep our eyes open to the daily opportunities to show love to our students and do Your work with zeal and a fervent spirit on the mission field of these schools so that everyone will recognize us as Your disciples.

Let us show hospitality to our students and fellow staff, without grumbling. According to the gifts we have received from You, let us serve one another, as good stewards of Your varied grace: let us speak carefully, using truth wisely, let us serve in the strength that You supply, and let everything we do glorify You through Jesus Christ. May our classrooms and our personalities be welcoming to each student, providing encouragement for them, and engaging them in learning that they may see the light of Christ in our lives.

Finally, when there are Christian students in our classrooms or faith-filled staff members in our midst, let us be aware of their faith and provide them with spiritual encouragement when the time is right. Thank You for the opportunity to serve in these ways, Lord Jesus. Amen. Phil 2:13; Rom 12:10-11; John 13:14, 34, 35; 1 Pet 4:8-11; 2 Cor 4:6; Phil 2:1-2.

Prayers for Teachers with Crisis at Home

March 7, 2024May 16, 2024 Joy Bennett

Thank You, Lord, that You have seen our needs and You are The Great Provider (Gen 22:14), willing and able to meet every need of Your children, past, present, and future. We praise You for answering our prayers and supplying our desires according to Your perfect knowledge (Job 22:22-27). Lord, we thank You that when we see our situations as extreme, You see opportunity (Rom 5:3-5). We know that You never stop working, Lord, so let Your glory be seen in each of our lives when we are facing a crisis at home (Jud 1:25; Rom 8:18).

As we navigate our daily responsibilities at school, help us express humble honesty with staff and students, being wise in our actions and allowing Your power to shine brightest in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9; Pv 11:3; 18:12). Keep our hearts focused on You, strong in hope, and infuse us with supernatural energy to accomplish the work before us, at home, and work (Is 40:31).

We praise You for this mission field, Lord, and that though we cannot see tomorrow, You hold it faithfully in Your hand, dispensing sufficient grace to us, day by day (Pv 19:21; 27:1; Jer 29:11; 2 Cor 12:9). Bless each brother and sister with an awareness of this precious gift as they navigate home responsibilities and decisions.

When there are countless phone calls, critical decisions, piles of paperwork, and intensely emotional conversations, Father, You are at our sides in all Your glory (Heb 13:5). We pray for You to assure Your children of Your power at work in them and Your presence to comfort them as You exercise Your wisdom over the circumstances of their lives. Lord, bring about Your perfect will in their situation, lavishing Your peace upon each one (Ps 46:1,10-11; 68:28;139). Let us be deeply grateful for all that belongs to our lives – for every high and low because You direct all these things for good and we could not have done without any of them and still have this deeply enjoyed You. Praise You, dear LORD. Amen.

Provision for Students’ Needs

March 5, 2024May 16, 2024 Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we are all in great need of You and Your grace (1 Sam 2:7-8), for nothing good comes apart from You (Ps 16:2). We humbly ask for Your powerful guidance as we proceed from day to day (Ps 143:10).

Lord, open our eyes to see the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of our students (2 Pet 1:3) and give us hearts to pray and serve them well, for it is You alone who have the power to meet these needs (Phil 4:19). Energize our minds to stay current with planning and grading and to provide feedback and accountability (Ps 3:3-5). As we work with our students each week, give us a passion for getting to know each one, finding the weak and strengthening them, providing for the sick, binding up the injured, and building relationships with those who stray (Ez 34:1-10). Make us mindful of resources we can provide to those in physical, mental, and emotional need. Even more, let us pray diligently for their spiritual need because Your eternal storehouses have full provision for our every need (Mat 14:13-21; Mat 15:29-39; Num 27:15-18).

Lord, strengthen our faith and direct our thinking so that we show each of our students, and their families, Your love, compassion, mercy, and care, so that You may be glorified in the work we do as Christian teachers (Mat 5:16; Rom 4:20). Their private lives are often invisible to us and when we are intentional to reach out, we learn of their struggles and can serve them better (1 King 17:8-16). In all these things, Lord, let us seek to do Your work, by Your power, by meeting the needs of our students and even their families (Neh 9:5-6). Let Your power work consistently through us for the greatest kingdom outcomes. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

All for God’s Glory

March 4, 2024May 16, 2024 Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we look to You and express our desire to give You the honor and the glory You deserve in our daily work as teachers. Let our prayer come before You as sweet incense and let our worship bless Your Name (Ps141:2). Let us constantly renew our minds through Your Word, being transformed and thereby serving You well. When we step into our daily position as teachers, we ask You to keep our focus on You, so that we may discern what is good and acceptable and perfect, everything according to Your will (Rom 12:2). Lord, help us keep our eyes on You, being patient with Your processes in our lives and the lives of our students.

As we look to You alone for the strength, creativity, and classroom management needed in our spaces, we thank You that You will renew our strength, flying high, running with energy, and walking the distance with endurance (Is 40:31). Lord, we pray for Christian teachers everywhere to be intentionally and consistently focused on You, pressing on toward the goal which is the prize of our upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14). May Your glory O LORD endure forever (Ps 104:31).

Let us have hearts and minds set on You, singing praise to You and meditating on You consistently (Ps 104:33-34). Our eyes are toward You, O GOD, our Lord (Ps 141:8). All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD. Let us bless You in our lesson planning, instructions, and conversations, shining as lights in the darkness that the glory of Your kingdom and power may be perceived by our students and fellow staff members. Let our focus be so completely on You that our students realize Your mighty deeds and the glorious splendor of Your everlasting kingdom (Ps 145:10-13).

O great Lord, You alone are greatly to be praised. May we work out our salvation through faithfulness in our work, recognizing that it is You who works in us both to will and to work for Your good pleasure (Phil 2:12-13). Let us do our work with the singular purpose of making a difference in Your kingdom, aligning ourselves with Your mission. Thank You, Lord, God. Amen.

Prayer for Renewal

March 1, 2024May 16, 2024 Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we pray for every Christian teacher who is experiencing distress. Classroom environments as well as work with staff periodically place us in difficult circumstances. At times we feel confined but we need You to speak truth to each one of us. We can rest assured that You are in charge, even in tough situations. Remind us that it is good that You reveal our limitations and simultaneously prove Your limitless abilities. No person or problem can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35,37-39). For those experiencing distress due to their own sin, Lord I pray that You reveal their sin to them, bring them to repentance, and let them experience freedom and joy again.

Lord, let Your Word provide renewal for the minds of every Christian teacher. Let each one wait on You and renew their strength, mounting to new heights as an eagle with great wings (Is 40:31). Lord, You allow the difficult things that come into each of our lives but also give us the grace to honor You in obedience as we navigate each moment, running and not growing weary, walking for the distance but not growing faint. In this strength that You provide, Lord, let us glorify You in our classrooms and prepare the hearts of our students by leading them to truth by our example.

Lord, we pray for the times when our jobs seem unachievable and we feel remorse because we cannot bring each student to the place of learning we want for them. In these times, remind each of us that You cause all things to work together for good to those who love You and who are called according to Your purpose. When life’s varying situations appear to be moving backward, let us trust that You are causing even the difficult things to work for good (Rom 8:28).

Finally, Lord, for those who are considering moving from their current position because the stress has overwhelmed them, we pray for wisdom, discernment, discretion, good judgment, and self-control. We pray that You create a space for them to continue to serve You for Your glory and that You lead them to glorify You as they make decisions. May You be honored and glorified in the lives of our Christian teachers, Lord. Amen.

God’s Will in Schools

February 26, 2024May 16, 2024 Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, we thank You that You are all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. Thank You that Your love and mercy are never separate from the hard things that You allow in our lives and schools.

Lord, we lift every teacher, student, and administrator in our schools and ask that Your perfect will be accomplished in each of these areas. Lord, give teachers creative ideas for incorporating truth into their classrooms, thus softening their students’ hearts for preparation to receive the gospel when You present it to them. We ask for Your power to be magnified so that countless hearts turn to You in faith.

We ask that You infuse Your people with wisdom in their interactions with unbelievers. Pour out Your favor on Your people and be exalted, Lord.

We ask that Your presence be such a divine comfort to Your servants in each role that they would have increased freedom to minister according to Your purposes in each school. Lord, let Your people be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, shining brightly, illuminating sin for the sake of drawing people to repentance and salvation. Lord, open the eyes of Your people to see the needs of others they can pray for. And, let Your people find one another and build one another up in Your Word and in prayer for the mission field of education. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen. Josh 4:24; Prov 5:21; Ps 46:1; Jer 31:3; Lam 3:22-23; Mt 5:14

Prayers for Healing a Student

February 23, 2024May 16, 2024 Joy Bennett

Dear LORD, today I pray for this child and family. Lord, You are the healer of our souls and bodies, and we cry out to You for Your perfect hand of healing on this child’s body. Lord, we pray for the right medication that will bring healing. Let this child’s body respond well to it and bring restoration.

Lord, I pray for every need, even things the caregivers may be unaware of, and place these things in Your capable hands for care and restoration. Lord, I ask You to work in such a mighty way in this child’s life that You receive glory in the eyes of as many people as possible.

Father, I pray for special comfort and the peace that passes all understanding for this child, the parents, and the rest of their family as they go through this difficult time. Bless their time as a family, provide for them financially, and give them peace regarding days missed at work and school.

Lord God, You oversee all the hardships in our lives with a heart of mercy and love toward us, even though we cannot see what You are doing behind the scenes. But we praise You that You promise that You cause all things to work together for good to those who love You, to those who are called according to Your purpose, and we ask You for the grace to worship You and give You thanks for Your presence, Your power, Your wisdom, and Your love through even the most difficult times.

Lord, let this family recognize Your loving hand at every turn through this time. Lord, we also pray that You speak directly to the hearts and minds of the doctors, giving them the wisdom You have for healing. Father, please also attend to things at home during travel, give rest to this family, and allow them to find comfort in Your Word even moment by moment. Thank You, Lord Jesus. In Your Name, Lord Jesus we pray, Amen. Rom 8:28-29; Mt 4:23; Mt 9:35; Phil 4:6-7; 1 Pet 5:7; Jer 31:3; Ps 91:1-16.