“It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." Luke 11:1 NAS
This is such an exciting season for students, schools, and their families! I love seeing all the “First day of school” pictures posted on social media—not just to see how the people in the picture have grown or changed, but to prompt me to pray for them. You can let them know you love the picture by posting a heart, but you can love these people best by lifting them up in prayer.
Back to school is an exciting time but it can also be very stressful. Throughout the summer we have encouraged families to have a family prayer time every day. Teaching children in our family and others that we coach, mentor, tutor or are a part of our church, neighborhood, or friends is one of the greatest life lessons you could ever help them to develop. Jesus’ disciples could have asked Jesus to teach them anything, but they asked Him to teach them to pray. Pause for a moment and think about why they may have asked Jesus to teach them to pray. What had they observed in Him and His practice of getting up early and slipping away from the crowds to talk with His Father? What have your friends and family observed in you as a result of your prayer life?
Yes, it is very important to pray for others, but it is also vital to teach others to pray! Here at the National Day of Prayer Task Force we get requests throughout the year for prayer guides and resources to teach people how to pray. Prayer is not just about what you say, it is about the God we are praying to; knowing Him, the relationship that we have with Him and the importance of communication that develops and strengthens the most precious and powerful relationship you have in your life. Prayer is immediate and intimate access to the King of Kings and as E.M. Bounds reminded us in many of his writings, our prayers move the hands that move the universe. That is exactly the kind of security we desire for everyone headed back to school. While backpacks, desks and lockers are being filled with school supplies, don’t forget to send them back to school equipped with prayer.
Heading back to school could be clouded with anxiousness as students may be going to a new school, new classrooms, new teachers, new classmates. They may be in the top class at the school and as my nephew is claiming, “Rule the school!” or be a part of the youngest class. This 2021-2022 school year begins with many questions and controversies swirling around them, from Covid to various curriculums, parental rights and student privacy, religious freedom, cancel culture, social media credibility and bullying – all while some students have not been in an in-person classroom for seventeen months. Parents, teachers, and students are wondering how virtual learning affected them socially, emotionally as well as academically. Did they excel, keep up, or fall behind?
That is a lot to process as they are just weeks, days, or perhaps hours away from heading back to school. Every student, teacher, staff, volunteer, decision-maker, parent and guardian need our prayers and need to know that they can step into the throne room of heaven while walking down the hallways of their school, at any moment of the day, to receive courage, wisdom, and joy. They can ask for help, they can hand God their troubles and celebrate their triumphs with Him. Just like the “High/Low” game that we play and pray at the dinner table at home, they can put it into practice in the lunchroom and classroom.
Would you be willing to commit to pray for Education and campuses throughout the year whenever you see a school bus or drive through a school zone?
Will you join us in prayer right now?
Lord Jesus, we enter Your gates and this school year with thanks and praise knowing that You never leave us, that You are interceding for us and that Your Spirit steps into schools with every Christian every day of school. We ask that Your presence would fill our schools and students. Please draw Your children; students, teachers, and all who are a part of campuses close to You so that they feel safe and loved so they can learn and live in the destiny that You have authored for all their days. Prompt them to cry out to You. Remind them to pray throughout their day and that You surround them as their Rock and Refuge giving them direction, provision, and protection. We pray that You, Your Word, will and ways would be honored in our schools. Glorify Yourself in every campus and classroom as we pray for them in the precious and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
National Day of Prayer Task Force
Upcoming Events
2021 National Leaders Summit
We are welcoming NDP volunteers and event coordinators from around the country to join us for our annual Leaders Summit in St. Louis, Missouri September 9-12. These four days will be full of prayer, praise, mentorship from seasoned volunteer coordinators, and equipping for the work of mobilizing unified public prayer for America.
DEADLINE is AUGUST 16TH to secure your spot for a powerful weekend of prayer!
