31 Days of Praying for Teachers

A while back, I sent out a Call for Help with 31 Days of Praying for Teachers. I did get some response back, but not nearly as much as I was hoping for. What that means, though, is God is planning on teaching me as I go through compiling verses and prayers for teachers as they prepare for the first few weeks of school. As a former teacher, I understand the necessity of laying the new school year, the children, their parents, and my family before the Lord. And now, as a stay at home mom, I pray for my teacher friends, the teachers my children will have, and the children (and youth) that will begin a new year. Please join me in taking a few minutes each day to lift up the teachers for the next 31 days.

Day....

1. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Proverbs 9:10. Pray for teachers to trust in the Lord for wisdom in preparation for a new school year. 
2. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night" Psalm 1:2 Pray for teachers to find moments to delight in the law of the Lord, and to take time each day to think about God's purpose for their lives as they prepare to teach. 
3. "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 Pray for teachers to know when to ask for help when confronted with a tough situation, whether it is an unruly child, an angry parent, or any other situation that is outside their control. 
4. "May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you." Psalm 25:21. Pray for teachers to have a sense of honesty and integrity as they teach this year. Pray they will constantly insist on standing for the truth so they please the Lord and so their integrity will not be questioned. 
5. "Trust God with all your heart. Don't try to figure it out on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track." Proverbs 3:5-6. Pray for teachers to trust that God knows what He is doing when He presents them with a certain task, whether it is teaching a new class or if they have a difficult student. Pray they will listen for God's voice for wisdom in handling every situation. 
6. "He has told you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8. Pray for teachers to always utilize justice in their classrooms, but to utilize it with love, giving all the glory to God. 
7. "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been placed there by God." Romans 13:1. Pray for teachers to remember to have respect for those above them: department heads, curriculum leaders, principals, and superintendents. 
8. "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:36. Pray for teachers to practice mercy on their students. Pray their eyes are open to extenuating circumstances that have placed their students in difficult situations. Pray they see those circumstances and hand out mercy when necessary. 
9. "...and he answered, 'I will not' but afterwards he changed his mind and went...." Matthew 21:29. Pray for teachers to be reliable. Pray they will establish a reputation as one who always does his/her best to be one time, work hard, and be dependable. 
10. "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6. Pray for teachers to have courage to do what is right, trusting that God is always with them. 
11. "Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and let the purity of my heart be shown in my actions." Psalm 51:10. Pray for teachers to have a pure heart, and to see the children where they are in order to foster a positive learning environment. 
12. "Guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don't cheat on your spouse." Malachi 2:15. Pray for teachers to remember to serve their own families first. Pray they will put the needs of their family first, and that they will protect the sanctity of the home. 
13. "And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out." 1 Thessalonians 5:15. Pray for teachers to remember to show kindness to their students. Pray they will remember to speak softly when their students are disrespectful or disobedient. 
14. "But if it only money the leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble..." 1 Timothy 6:6-10. Pray that teachers are wise with their money and their purpose for teaching is not to pay the bills but to affect the future generations. Although teachers generally don't make much money, pray that their purpose is focused more on their students than just clocking in and clocking out. 
15. "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Pray for teachers to personify all of these characteristics not only in their classrooms, but with their families, friends, coworkers, and people they meet along the way. 
16. "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty, and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12-13. Pray for teachers to have a sense of contentment as they face the everyday struggles of teaching. Pray they will find joy and strength, daily, in trusting that God will give them all they need. 
17. "How well God must like you --you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along dead-end road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College. Instead, you thrill to God's word. You chew on scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in bloom." Psalm 1: 1-3. Pray that teachers will seek out and nurture Godly friendships. Pray you will give them a sense of camaraderie in finding coworkers who also stand for Truth and what is Right. 
18. "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for man." Colossians 3:23. Pray that teachers will develop a servant's heart and work hard, all the time, not to please man, but to please the Lord. 
19. "Look carefully, then how you walk, not as unwise, but at wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil." Ephesians 5: 15-16. Pray for teachers to know their priorities. Pray they will not waste anytime in their classrooms, meetings, or during planning times, but to work diligently in order to be the best they can be. 
20. "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be safe." Proverbs 29:25. Pray teachers will resist temptation, bribery, and manipulation. Pray they put their trust in God, and that He will protect them. 

....to be continued.