“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Education Of Children!

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on praying about the education of our children.  Education in math, science, language, and other school subjects are important but not nearly as important as our teaching the things of God to the next generations.  Each of them have an important part in preparing young people for the work God has created in advance for them to do.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you pray for the various levels of education our children receive.  Pray for the delivery methods of that education whether it be through homeschooling, private Christian schools, or public schools.  Pray that you would do your part in investing in the lives of young people.  Pray for a unity of spirit among believers in general and among your church family in particular.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please pray each day for the education of children to take place in ways which draw them near to God.

Sunday: Pray for your church staff, the preaching and teaching that takes place, the church leadership, the volunteers that are helping in so many areas, the spiritual and financial health of the congregation, and the work of the missions ministry of the church.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Preschool Students and Families.  Pray that families of preschool aged children would find the best options possible to provide the foundational elements of education in these young lives.  Pray that these children and their families would experience the welcoming call of Jesus.  “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”  Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Preschool Staff and Teachers.  Pray for those who work with preschool students.  Pray that they would welcome these little ones in the name of Jesus.  Pray that those working with preschoolers would do so as ones welcoming God.  “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”  Mark 9:37 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Elementary School Students and Families.  Pray that God would reveal the mystery of life in Christ to these young students.  Pray that their families would have godly wisdom in choosing the schools that best meet the student’s needs.  “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’”  Matthew 11:25(NIV)

Thursday:  Elementary School Staff and Teachers.  Pray for those who work with elementary students on a regular basis as teachers, school staff, volunteers, and/or parents.  Pray that they would be filled with great patience as they teach and share their life.  “We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.  We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”  1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (NIV)

Friday:  Junior and Senior High School Students and Families.  Pray that teen and pre-teen students would know the value of obedience.  Pray that the families would work together in a manner that values each person.  Pray for wisdom in making schooling choices and choices regarding each students future beyond high school.  “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”  Colossians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Saturday:  Junior and Senior High School Staff and Teachers.  Pray for the staff and teachers who work with Jr/Sr high school students.  Pray that their teaching would be filled with godly wisdom.  Pray that they would recognize the importance of what they do and teach true wisdom that leads to life.  “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.”  Proverbs 13:14 (NIV)