Tag: Prayers for Students

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Discernment in Working with Parents

Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, as Christian teachers, we have many opportunities to set a godly example for the parents we work with. We praise You that You are our advocate, and we seek to imitate You by advocating for our students’ parents (Rom 8:26, 24b; Heb 4:14). We also look to You, our omniscient God who knows all we need at all times (Pv 5:21) and ask that You allow us to see and act on Your provision, for nothing good comes apart from You (Ps 16:2). In addition, we rejoice in You our mediator, Lord Jesus, and ask that You enable us to imitate you as we mediate for parents with their students (1 Tim 2:5-6; Heb 8:6, 9:15), helping their children to grow in wisdom, that they may be prepared to receive Your gospel by faith when You so choose.

Lord, when working with parents and their students, we need discernment. Praise You that the Spirit gives us discernment (John 14:17), using the word of God to enable us to stand firm by discriminating between good and evil, truth and lies (Heb 5:12-14; Eph 6:11,17; 1 John 2:20,26-27). As we go about each day, let us cling to You and walk in repentance and righteousness, held up with a willing spirit, so that we may help parents and their students see a godly example in our lives and crave this for themselves (Ps 51:10-13). Likewise, show us how we can empower parents to lead their children in righteousness. For those who are motivated only by worldly success, let us demonstrate the love and light of God that they desire to live according to Your ways (Mat 5:16; Rom 2:14; Mat 5:6). And, as we do this work, let us always remember that parenting is a difficult job and each child is different — parents need sympathy and empathy (Rom 12:16; Phil 2:1-8). Meanwhile, let their trials lead them to seek You with their whole hearts and find You as their Savior. (Mat 4:17; Eze 33:11; Acts 26:18; 1 Pet 3:8-12).

On our mission with You in schools, Lord, let us do Your good work by showing love, compassion, and kindness to everyone (John 13:34, Luk 6:36; Ps 103:8; Eph 4:32). Students need us to love them best by showing we care, even when caring means we must provide appropriate consequences – let us not shrink back from difficult decisions that lead to the best outcome for each one (Ps 119:71). Lord, guide us to follow through with communication which includes constructive and encouraging solutions (Heb 10:24). In the process of our communications, let us provide loving, timely feedback that amounts to the greatest benefit for each child (Ecc 8:11), and guide us to have a heart for collaboration with each parent, planning incentives and consequences together for the benefit of their children and their households. As we work together, let us keep our minds on You, seeking Your wisdom and gaining knowledge (Ps 111:10; Pv 21:11b).

Lord, in all these things, cause Your wondrous works to be remembered and allow the parents we work with to recognize that You are gracious and merciful (Ps 111:4). Finally, let us rest, knowing that that battle is Yours, Lord, and You will see it through in the end (Deut 20:4; 2 Chron 20:15; Pv 21:31).

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Prayers for Safety in Schools

Joy Bennett

Oh God Most High (Ps 7:17), our refuge and strength, our very present help in times of trouble, let us be strong in our confidence in You, regardless of the dangers on earth. We praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your saving work on the cross and Your overcoming power in Your Resurrection. We know that we are immortal until You are finished working in us on earth (2 Tim 1:10). You indwell Your people, making Your holy habitation with us and our salvation immovable. You are in our midst, always protecting us, and melting the most severe concerns. LORD of hosts, we praise You for such care. LORD, let us have eyes to see Your mighty works: how You control everything on earth, bringing wars to an end, and crushing the weapons of mankind. Let us also be still, and know that You are God, exalted among the nations, exalted in the earth. Our LORD of all armies and warfare, You are with us, holding us fast in Your ultimate security (Ps 46).

Lord, we ask for Your divine protection over our schools, students, staff, and families. We cry out to You as Your children, those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Deliver us from all snares, plagues, and threats of destruction. Guard us in all our ways, let us walk in safety and protection. Remind us that, when we hold fast to You in love we are heard by You. You answer us when we call, You are with us in trouble, You rescue us and honor us, and with long life You will satisfy us, showing us Your salvation (Ps 91).

Thank You, Lord, that You go before us, causing us to dwell secure, at ease, and without dread of disaster (Prov 1:33). You are ever-present with Your people, keeping us secure on every side (Ps 139:5). Indeed we can think of no more secure a place than in the cover of Your majestic wings, just as the ark rested protected beneath the cherubim in the holy of holies (2 Chr 5:6-8). May You always be glorified as our protector and peace (Josh 24:17; Eph 2:14). In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Serve Well in Your Mission Field

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.

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Provision for Students’ Needs

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.

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All for God’s Glory

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.

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Commitment to Serve Amidst Apathy

Joy Bennett

Dear Lord, You designed the earth and humanity to be fruitful and productive. We long for You to make things return to Your perfect design.  Meanwhile, many of our students struggle more and more with a lack of motivation to participate in educational efforts. Lord, we ask You to give them a sense of curiosity. Open their hearts to wisdom and let them learn from us. Let our students have softened hearts and let them gain knowledge so they will become active members of society. 

Meanwhile, Lord, do not let the apathy of our students reduce our commitment to serve You on this mission field. Let us extend Your love and thoughtful care to all students, especially those who are resistant. Please fill us with Your patience also, giving us the grace to wait as for rains upon crops, establishing our hearts in trust of Your perfect timing for each concern, keeping us steadfast, and allowing us to imitate Your compassion and mercy toward each student. In these things, we know our labor for Your glory is never in vain.

Finally, Lord, let us prepare thoughtful lessons, considering how to stir up one another to love and good works. Let us, by our example of a godly life, faithfully point their hearts to desire Your ways that they may have hearts of flesh and not hearts of stone, rightly prepared to receive the gospel when You determine the time.  Thank you, Lord, that You care deeply for all people.  Let us do the same and give You the honor You deserve. Amen. (Lk 8:18; Mt 5:48; Jas 5:7-11; 1 Cor 15:58; Eph 5:1; Heb 10:24; Ez 36:26).

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God’s Will in Schools

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

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Prayers for Healing a Student

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.

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