Here I am minding my own business at the pool when all of the sudden I realize it’s July 31st. WHAT??? Say it isn’t so. Why can’t life be beaches, books, and burgers all year long? But alas, Coweta County teachers return to school tomorrow with students coming on Friday (or possibly Monday if you teach seniors because they’re not into school on Friday).

When people ask what they can do to support a teacher, my immediate response is always Starbucks gift cards. My second response is prayer. Teachers need prayer and lots of it – not because the kids are horrible but because we are human. This guide is has a daily quality, a short thought, and a verse to guide you in praying for teachers or any school personnel. If you don’t have a child in school, you can still pray for teachers; I will personally take all of the prayers I can get in August. Or teachers can use this as a guide to pray for themselves and their colleagues. If you live in another district, modify as needed. Thanks for covering teachers in prayer this year?

Tuesday, August 1st – Heart for God

Above all, if the heart is right, everything else will fall into place, so this is my number one request.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. Luke 10:27

Wednesday, August 2nd – Planning

Teachers spend a lot of time planning this time of year. Pray for us that we will plan well but also pray for when things don’t go as planned and trust that God is in that. As you know, “the best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry.” (Sorry, it’s the English teacher in me).

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Thursday, August 3rd – Servant attitude

I adopted Chick-Fil-A’s second-mile service attitude a few of years ago and decided I would go the second mile in not only serving my students but my coworkers. If it works for Jesus, it’s probably what I should be doing. Pray for teachers as they serve their students, colleagues, and the school in general.

The greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11

Friday, August 4th – Blessing Others (first day with students)

In the day and age of having to watch every action and document all things, this verse is a life saver. There are no limits to loving others, showing kindness, being good, faithful, and gentle, promoting peace, and exhibiting self-control. I love this!! Praying for teachers to abound in these qualities which there is no law against. May teachers be a blessing to their students this year.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 – 23

Monday, August 7th – Integrity

If my students walk away only learning commas, correct citations, and ways to increase reading comprehension, I have not done my job (even though I dream of this). I am also modeling and teaching good character and how can I expect my students to do the right thing if I’m not?

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1st John 1:5-6

Tuesday,  August 8th  – Defend the Weak

Many students come into the classroom on a daily basis who live in less than ideal circumstances. Poverty, illness, and loss of one or both parents are just some issues that make kids feel helpless. Pray for teachers to build them up. Also pray that teachers will be aware of bullying and meanness in the classroom and school and come to the defense of students being picked on.

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4

Wednesday, August 9th – Influence

Most people go into teaching because they want to influence the next generation. Pray that teachers will have the energy and time to participate in out-of-school activities as these are often the best places to really get to know students.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Thursday, August 10th – Joy

No one wants to sit in a class with a teacher who doesn’t have a good disposition and a sense of humor, but it’s so easy for teachers to be sucked into complaining, grumbling, and whining. Pray for teachers to be able to enjoy the moment and laugh. I read this week that infants and preschoolers laugh 300 times per day while adults only laugh 20. It’s time for the teacher to learn from the student.

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13

Friday, August 11th –  Emotional Fortitude

Doing the right thing at the right time often takes courage. Sometimes hard conversations need to happen and changes need to be made that require great personal sacrifice. Pray for teachers to be willing to do the right thing even if it is difficult.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Monday, August 14th – Authority

No matter who you are or what position you hold, you answer to someone. Pray that teachers will respect authority at the school, local, state, and national level and work in a way that honors those in authority over the classroom teacher. Pray also that teachers will be a positive role model to students and the community concerning school administration.

All of you must be willing to obey completely those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God. 2 So when you oppose the authorities, you are opposing those whom God has appointed. Those who do that will be judged. Romans 13:1-2

Tuesday, August 15th – Wisdom

On a daily basis, teachers must focus on the individual needs of dozens of children, communicate with their parents, work with colleagues, write lesson plans – just to name a few. Pray for teachers to have wisdom in dealing with the wide variety of daily tasks with decisions often needing to be made instantaneously.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

Wednesday, August 16th –Strong Work Ethic

Slacking on the job or going through the motions is an easy thing for a teacher to do. Many times a teacher can be there but not be there. Pray for full engagement on a daily basis with students.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Thursday, August 17th – Safety

This past week, we practiced a drill for what to do if an intruder is ever in our school. What a sad day that teachers must have conversations with their students about what to do if a school shooting takes place. Pray for the Lord’s protection over our schools.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

Friday, August 18th – Creativity

Our God is amazingly creative which is evidenced in his creation. From the beautiful flowers to the strangest sea creatures, his creativity can be seen everywhere. Pray that teachers would manifest the same creativity in planning and executing lessons so that learning becomes not only enjoyable but fun for students.

For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name! Amos 4:13

Monday, August 21st – Understanding

I love this verse because it reveals a secret to understanding: it takes hard work. Pray that teachers will take time to get to know students in order to understand them.

The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Proverbs 20:5

Tuesday, August 22nd –Rest

The start of a new year is exhausting. Every year, I have a cold by the end of the first month: this year was no exception. Between the germy essays and the physical and emotional energy spent on start up, I have battled a cold all week. Pray for teachers to settle into a routine which provides adequate time for sleep, mental relaxation, and times of emotional refreshment.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Wednesday, August 23rd –Healthy Home Life

I cannot count the number of teacher friends who leave work to go home to difficult circumstances. Disease, financial hardships, caring for aging parents or young infants, single parents, estranged relationships are just a few things that make like hard. Pray that teachers will have homes which offer fulfilling relationships, rejuvenation, and a place of refuge.

My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:18

Thursday, August 24th – Gratitude

Pray that teachers will have an attitude of thankfulness seeing their job as a gift from Godl

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

Friday, August 25th – Blessing Others

In the day and age of having to watch every action and document all things, this verse is a life saver. There are no limits to loving others, showing kindness, being good, faithful, and gentle, promoting peace, and exhibiting self-control. I love this!! Praying for teachers to abound in these qualities which there is no law against.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 – 23

Monday, August 28th – Perseverance

Making it through the first month of school is a milestone, but it’s really only the beginning. Pray for teachers to be committed and bring their best throughout the school year.

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.  Ecclesiastes 7:8

Tuesday, August 29th – Discernment

Teachers make hundreds if not a thousand decisions daily. Some big, some small, but they are all mixed in together with lessons, students, and daily classroom logistics making the time to stop and think through each one difficult. Pray for teachers to have a spirit of discernment and the ability to make decisions quickly and wisely.

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. Proverbs 15:22

Wednesday, August 30th – Kindness

I love the verse below because it shows that Paul was blown away by people who took time to be kind to him. Moving through the tasks of the day without showing kindness is easy for teachers to do since the day moves quickly and the work is overwhelming at times. Pray for teachers to slow down for a kind work, gesture, or smile.

The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. Acts 28:2

Thursday, August 31st – Humility

I have heard humility defined as “not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” This is what education needs; people thinking of themselves less. Pray specifically for teachers to continually be asking, “Is this best for me or my students? Admin? School?” then think of themselves less. May we be confident in our schools yet humble in our approach.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3