For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
— Timothy 1:7 NIV
Greetings prayer partner!
This time of year, I love seeing first day of school photos from family and friends. It’s such a delight seeing students in their carefully selected outfits to reflect their personality, and a fresh hairstyle. Or, a crisply laundered school uniform – that we all know will be wrinkled from the full activities of the first day by the time they arrive back home!
In the midst of these precious photos, we can get a sense of the excitement and trepidation that the first day brings.
As if we can hear the students wondering, ‘What will third grade bring?” Parents silently asking God, “Please bring someone to sit with them at the lunch table.” And teachers hoping, “I hope all my students had a meal at home, are ready for all the exciting lessons I have worked so hard to put together.”
Paul’s words to Timothy were a staple in my home for many ‘firsts’ or seasons where fearfulness felt ever-present in my heart. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” From 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV.
Let’s commit to pray this scripture over students, parents, and teachers through all of the ‘firsts’ that this school year will bring!
For students, this year may bring the first time they encounter a challenging subject.
I remember the first time I encountered algebra; it was also the first time I cried at school. I distinctly remember my fear and frustration at my lack of comprehension, and my distress at seeing my peers excel while I felt left behind. Memories such as these prompt prayer for students who will experience their academic ‘firsts.’
Students will also encounter ‘firsts’ in their social lives. The first time they make a new friend in the cafeteria, the first time they are picked last for a team activity, or the first time they encounter negative comments or cyberbullying in their digital landscape.
Every ‘first’ comes with a choice – to seek God and His peace, power, love, and self-discipline, or to react in the flesh with anger, jealousy or in other ways that do not honor God. We can pray for students to not be overcome with timidity or fearfulness, but to seek God and know they have a firm foundation in Christ!
Parents will experience ‘firsts’ of their own, right alongside their students. The first time their child tells them someone hurt their feelings, the first time they take their child to a new sports team, or the first time their child acts in a different manner, either because they are entering a new stage of mental, emotional, and spiritual growth, or because of a new habit they learned from a peer.
We can pray for parents to overflow with the love and wisdom of our Heavenly Father as they navigate each new situation and raise up children to know they are securely loved by God who has given them a purpose for each day of their life.
Having a ‘first’ occurrence usually means there will be a ‘second’: The second time a child makes a new friend, the second time a parent notices a new characteristic in their child. Our prayers matter here, as we pray for Godly wisdom and self-discipline. The first time may have been messy. It may have been more of a reaction of the flesh than a response from the Holy Spirit within.
This is where learning and growth happen – where Seeking Him in All Generations bears much fruitfulness!
God is faithful to show us grace; to guide and provide instruction for walking in the ways of righteousness.
Would you please join me in prayer for all the 'new' things God has in store for this school year!
God, You are merciful, full of love and power. Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path! I lift up the students, parents, and school staff who are in my life and in my church. I pray that they would not be filled with a spirit of fearfulness or timidity, but the power, love, and self-discipline that comes from the Holy Spirit. Give students wisdom as they learn about new subjects and walk into new situations – there is truly nothing new under the sun! What they experience at the lunch table and how they respond in You will prepare them for the decades of life ahead. Give them courage to walk, talk, and type in ways that honor You, whether face to face or on a screen. Pour out Your wisdom, grace, power, and love over the parents and teachers whom You have established to help these children learn and grow into healthy, productive adults who are rooted in You. As new habits and characteristics arise, give parents and teachers discernment to see the root of every fruit, and experience Your heart; my Heavenly Father and Good Shepherd! You tend to Your flock with attentiveness and care. Lord, I desire to be a godly example and a godly encourager to everyone You put in my path. Help me to courageously step into all the new ‘first’ experiences in my own life with my mind and heart firmly rooted in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Peace and blessings,
Amy Parks
Communications Director