Thank you for participating in our prayer vigil for our schools. This has been a difficult time for everyone, but it has had a particular impact on our children. Their usual routine of going to school, socializing with friends, and receiving an education has been turned on its head. And, as we begin the new school year in just a few days, we find that the virus is still negatively impacting the academic and social lives of our children. They, and all those involved with the school system, are in need of God’s mercy and His sustaining hand. And so, let us call upon the Lord…

• Pray for our students. Pray for as many of our children as you can by name. If there is any particular need that you know is present in their lives, pray that God would be glorified in meeting that need (Ps. 50:14-15). Pray for them, especially, that they would come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and united to Him by the Holy Spirit through faith, would come to know God as their Father (Rom. 8:15-17).
• Pray for their social development. We were made to be social creatures; one of the primary ways children develop socially is through their interaction with others during school. Pray that, during this time when they are not able to be with one another, that they would seek other opportunities for socializing, and especially with those who will sharpen, rather than dull them (Prov. 27:17). Pray also that, when they are able to return to school in-person, they would renew healthy friendships, and socialize in beneficial ways.
• Pray for their academic development. We know that the first several weeks of this school year are going to be virtual; it is also evident (and scientifically proven) that virtual learning is not ideal when compared to in-person classes. Pray that our children would take responsibility for their own education, and that they would seek to love the Lord with all their mind (Matt. 22:37-38). Pray that the deleterious effects of virtual learning would be blunted and that our children would be attentive and excited to join in their classes, even though in a virtual format. Pray that God would give them a healthy curiosity, and that He would open their eyes and ears to His glory declared by His creation – from the beauty and wonder of the skies above (Ps. 19:1) to the magnificent order of the mathematical equation on the page (Gen. 1; see also, 1 Cor. 14:33,40). Pray that they would avoid idleness, but diligently work, and that to God’s glory (2 Thess. 3:6-12)!
• Pray for our Teachers. For teachers, this time has also meant a “new normal” in the way they teach our children. Pray for each teacher you know by name, and again pray that the Lord would be glorified in meeting any need they may have. Pray that they would not grow weary in the good work of teaching our children (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13); pray that God would help them to be faithful to their calling as they face each challenge that arises. Pray also that God would give them wisdom in teaching, especially when it comes to teaching in an unfamiliar virtual format. Even though they have to be away from their students for a while, pray that God would strengthen their love for children and the bonds they have already formed with their students (1 John 3:11;4:7). Likewise, pray that any teacher who does not know the Lord Jesus as their Savior and Lord would be born again and brought to faith in Him; and that those who are Christians would show their students the love of Christ and take every opportunity to witness to them of God’s grace in Jesus.
• Pray for parents. Many parents have gone back to work and are having to find childcare while they’re away; other parents will be home with their children. In both instances, pray that parents would encourage their children to be diligent learners, and that they would take an active role in the education of their children (Proverbs – the whole book is a set of wise sayings from a parent to their child). Pray especially that parents would be active in daily leading their children to the Lord (Eph. 6:4)! Pray that parents would work against the disturbing trend that we’re seeing in our culture, and instead of delegating their role to screens, would be truly active as loving, godly parents, and spend quality time with their children, not just in the same room as their children.
• Pray for the health and safety of all involved in our school systems. For the first several weeks, learning will be done virtually. But, at one point or another, students will be meeting in-person again, and that raises fears of widespread contagion. Pray ultimately that God would bring this pandemic to an end! Pray for the health and safety of our students, our teachers, and all those who will be in daily contact with others in the school system. We believe that God is sovereign, and that He will cause even this to work to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). And so, even in the midst of this pandemic, let us praise our Lord, Who is ever with His people (Is. 41:10), working for their good and His glory!