Pray for Schools: A List to Help Guide Your Prayers
Pray the Newspaper:
Scan the local newspaper for headlines, pictures, editorials, and stories that relate to public education. As you bring your attention to each one, hold it up before God. Pray for all those mentioned in or influenced by the issues in the story or picture. Listen for God's word to you about each issue or person.
Pray Through Photographs:
Locate photos of local schools, children and staff. Focus your full attention on each picture. Bring the subject of the photograph before God in prayer.
Pray the School Lunch Menu:
Many school districts publish the school lunch menu for the week in the local newspaper. Read over the menu. Bring to your attention the school lunch personnel who prepare and serve the food, and offer a prayer for them. Then bring to your consciousness the children and young people for whom the food is prepared. Offer a special prayer for children for whom this may be the only meal of the day. Pray a blessing for the food, for those who prepared it and for those who will be eating it.
Pray Through a Walking Tour:
If you have an opportunity to tour a local school, incorporate silent prayer into your tour. Pray for classrooms, students, teachers, and staff as you walk. Use a simple intercessory breath prayer, such as, "Lord Jesus, hold this teacher close to your heart."
Pray Through Intercessory Imaging:
Imagine the face of a child, teacher, principal, or other staff member. Consciously bring that person to God in prayer. Or imagine a specific situation or crisis being experienced by your district. Offer the situation to God. Listen for the moving of the Spirit in response to the situation. Listen for God's word to you about it.
Pray on Behalf of Children Beginning the School Day:
At the time when schools begin for the day in your district, offer a prayer for all children and teachers, that the day may be productive and stimulating.
Pray for School Board Members by Name:
Find out the names of your school board members. Pray daily that they may be granted wisdom and discernment in doing their jobs. If you are unable to attend school board meetings, pray for the board's deliberations during the time of the meeting.
Pray for Teachers by Name:
Find out the names of teachers in a particular school. Each day, pray for one teacher.
Pray for Justice in the Schools:
Ask for God's healing power to touch any aspect of school life where children are experiencing injustice or inequality. Listen for God's word to you about how you can be an agent of healing.
Bring School Issues to Times of Public Prayer:
If your congregation has a time of sharing joys and concerns, offer prayers about particular situations and people in public education. Remember to share joys as well as concerns- ask for prayers of thanksgiving for caring teachers or prayers of joy for positive gains and successes.