Abby Andres, who graduated from Tabor College in May, excitedly considers her future. “I love kids and feel very called to teaching,” she says. “I want every student that comes into my classroom to feel the love of Jesus through me since every student deserves to be loved no matter their situation or behaviors.”
A friend who teaches young children recently confided, “I’m just so tired. In 24 years of teaching, I’ve never had a classroom of students quite like this one. If I can just teach one more year, I can think about retiring.”
Such a contrast, but somehow it is not surprising. It seems inevitable that an upcoming starry-eyed teacher might feel weight and discouragement after years of teaching. What can we do to help? How can we support and encourage our teachers and students?
We can pray. Prayer may feel like wasted time—nothing tangible, visible or created comes after time in prayer. Or does it?
Almost eight years ago, another mom invited me to join a Moms in Prayer group. This organization desires that prayer cover every child, teacher and school around the world. Little did I know this invitation would shape my life and the lives of others in countless ways.
In the years since, I’ve prayed for teachers and students in home, private and public schools; I’ve prayed for my own children and the children of others. I’ve gathered prayer sheets full of heartbreak, joy, cries for unity, conviction and repentance. My prayers to God over bonds built with other praying moms and concern for the trials of teachers will last far beyond anything I see today.
The needs facing students and teachers today can seem endless, and one might wonder where to begin. Praying Scripture can provide a tangible pattern to follow. Lori Schumaker, a prayer advocate, says, “When we pray Scripture, we are praying God’s words back to him. He takes seriously and answers powerfully. We remind God of what he has said to us and pledged to us. It’s powerful.”
Praying for students
Children daily navigate an abundance of information, influence and conflicting worldviews. Anxiety, fear and uncertainty threaten peace, security and truth.
My sister, Tiana Alden, a mother of three living in Tennessee, describes the complex feelings she has for her children in light of recent public school threats. “Sending our kids off to school with a prayer of peaceful covering can protect them from fears that creep in with the stories and experiences of senseless violence that have sadly become the cultural norm,” she says.
Krista English, a friend and homeschool mom of 18 years, says, “My prayers for my children are often centered around praying for their character and the influences around them. I pray they persevere through school frustrations; that they be teachable, willing to work on learning; and develop a love for learning new things.”
We can follow Philippians 4:6-7 as we pray for a student to walk in the confidence of the Lord. “God, may ________ not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let his/her requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard ________’s heart and mind through Christ Jesus.”
Praying for teachers
Have you asked a teacher how to pray for them? Ally Hauge, from Kingwood Bible Church, is an elementary teacher who has also worked in administration. She says, “I would love prayer for Christ to shine through me in all my interactions with students, families and staff…and that I would be able to balance consistency with grace, holding students to high expectations while also meeting them with understanding and compassion.”
Can you hear the longing and desire of our teachers to love and serve others with endurance, faithfulness and integrity?
An example prayer comes from Proverbs 2:10, “God, may wisdom enter _____’s heart, and may knowledge be pleasant to his/her soul.” Can you pray this over a teacher you know?
Teachers feel the weight of their chosen occupation. What a privilege to support them through prayer. Sharon Odgon, who also attends Kingwood Bible Church, has spent 24 years in a bilingual classroom. “If I knew someone was praying for me, I would not feel so alone. I would know I had someone to contact on the most difficult days,” she says.
We can pray Hebrews 13:21 for teachers: “God of peace, may you equip ______ with every good work for doing your will, and may you work in ______ what is pleasing to you, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Sarah Murrell teaches part time at a charter-school and serves as Kingwood Bible Church’s Children’s Ministry director. She appreciates hearing that parents pray for her and that they recognize her allegiance is to God above all else.
“It has been discouraging when Christian parents assume my values must align with the values of a particular administrator or state-level leadership,” she says. “Pray for believing teachers, that we will have the wisdom to respect the leaders above us while maintaining our Christian convictions with both grace and truth.”
Do you know a teacher who finds themselves in a workplace that battles their personal values? Do you know a teacher who has chosen to love students above their own comfort? You could pray from Psalm 35:1-2: “Lord, may you contend with those who contend with (challenge) ; may you take up shield and armor; arise and come to his/her aid.”
Our earnest prayers make a difference. God works miracles in the lives of our children, in schools and in us. Our prayers not only make a difference in our own lives, but in those we pray for.
One teacher we can pray for is the unbeliever, unpopular or disliked teacher. Instead of gossip or disparaging remarks, let’s pray for this person and challenge students to show the love of Christ.
In eighth grade, my daughter, Livia, was determined to show love and kindness to a teacher most peers disrespected. Livia wrote simple cards, gave small gifts on holidays and always tried to come and go from the classroom with a smile. This teacher took note and at graduation mentioned how Livia treated her with respect. If my daughter could treat a difficult teacher this way, I could, at a minimum, add my prayers.
We can pray for a student’s witness using Colossians 3:12: “God, as your chosen one, holy and dearly loved, may ________ clothe himself/herself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
A prayer for a difficult teacher comes from Acts 26:18: “Open _____’s eyes and turn him/her from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that ______ may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus.”
Instead of tearing down teachers, administration or policies, we can bring the matter to God. Turning frustrations into prayer can make an eternal impact and can also change our heart and attitude.
Sally Burke, president of Moms in Prayer, says, “Prayer is inviting his presence and power into our lives. It is the greatest power available to God’s children.” Time in prayer is never wasted. Let’s take time to access the gift of prayer and lavish it over teachers and students.
My heart has been softened and awakened to the needs of teachers and students through prayer. I have seen lives changed, teachers supported and paths made straight. Perhaps God calls you to participate and encourage a student or teacher through prayer today.
Sidebar
Silencing the lies
Teachers attending a retreat for Christians working in public schools shared this list of feelings teachers have as they struggle with Satan’s lies about their work. This list, contributed by Sharon Odgon, can inform the way we pray for teachers.
You really don’t have an impact.
You are screwing up the only first grade year this student has.
You can’t balance work and family. You’re messing up both.
You can’t even teach your own child.
Do you hear me, God? What can I do to make you hear and answer my prayers?
I’m not enough. I’m not smart enough or good enough.
I’m not doing enough spiritually.
I’m not worthy or lovable.
I need to be like ______.
I’m too insignificant for God to care about.
Why does God allow bad things to happen to godly people?
Why is there so much pain and hurt? Why can’t God come now and fix the suffering?
There’s nothing I can do to help these children.
I’m not making a difference. There are so many students with extreme needs.
I’m not a “real” teacher.
I’m not fun enough to teach well.
I’m not following the curriculum well enough.
I need to do more and be more.
I expect too much of my students.
I’m not living boldly or saying enough about Christ.
I have poor priorities and can’t manage time well.
I am too messy and unorganized.
I’m not creative enough to do a good job.
Why would God love someone like me?
Is God in control even when I mess up?
Kelsey Ensz and her husband, Nathan, pastor of Kingwood Bible Church, live in Salem, Oregon. They share 25 years of marriage and three children. Her recent interests are barefoot shoes, natural fiber textiles and remineralizing toothpaste. She values discipleship, mentorship and growth with women of all ages through various online and in person avenues.
