New Year for Teachers: New Ways to Pray
One look on social media shows back to school photos of children and teachers in a different place from this time last year..Created spaces in homes have been dedicated to learning centers with desks and bookshelves. Meet the teacher for those heading to “in person school” is by appointment with a limited number of students in time slots.
Two of my teacher friends have added masks to accessorize their wardrobes. Another sent me a photo of her classroom with desks six feet apart and devoid of her signature personal items. One relayed she planned to teach in person only to be told days ago, she is teaching online. She lives with change and flexibility at a moment’s notice.
Last week’s blog focused on Back to School Prayers for Children and Grandchildren. Today, I want to add prayers for teachers. I emailed a few teacher friends and asked for their prayer requests. They’re concerned about making the classroom comfortable for students and decreasing anxiety; to be flexible with change, to stay calm and have patience, to meet the needs of individual students.
May I encourage you to pray for those who teach your children and grandchildren and for the teachers you know? And probably for the first time for some, parents are serving as their child’s teacher, too.
And for teachers, these are especially for you, to frame the start of your day. May that request—as you fill in your name in the Bible verse, accompany you all day long, and at home as well. As one whose teaching career spanned over twenty years, pandemic or not, I needed these truths every day. I found treasures in unexpected places each year, and you will too. Click to download the prayer guide. There are thirty–one scripture-based prayers-grouped by topics–one for each day of the month.. I’ve created two versions-one on paper and the other on 4×6 cards..
A fellow teacher offered this as a morning prayer from Psalm 1438 (NIV)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Blessings on the 2020-2021 school year.
Share in the comments your prayer requests, ways and verses you pray for your school day.
The Conversation
I can’t imagine how nu-conducive all this rampant fear, PPE requirements, and social distancing protocols negatively impacts learning. Am so glad to see you add teachers to the list of these needing prayer. I also pray for the administrators, board members, and bus drivers; all who must now deal with anxiety that has grown exponentially in the past six months. Great post ma’am. Thank you!
We do need to pray for our children and their teachers. Pray for protection, wisdom and patience as this new added difficulty will present problems they have never encountered before.
Thank you, Marilyn, for an easy guide to an important privilege—praying for educators this year. My retired-educator heart longs for them to have joy and effectiveness in their work.
I know Jeannie. From one retiree to another, we can just imagine the added stress with this year and communicating calm to students of all ages.
So many teachers appreciate prayer. Thank you from this teacher! God bless!
You’re welcome, Nancy. Thank you for commenting. I remember well the preparation and first day and weeks. Lots to do but this year, so much change. Blessings on your school year.