Happy Monday, Siestas! I’ve missed you! I have a long to-do list for today, and one of the most important things on it is “Blog!”
We had an amazing time in Wyoming. I have so much to say about it and a hundred pictures to share, but something else is pressing on my heart right now.
Back to School Day varies from district to district, but today’s the big day around these parts. I can’t get my sweet teacher friends off my mind. And don’t even get me started about our dear co-worker, Jenn, who sent her firstborn to kindergarten this morning. Weren’t we all crowded together in her hospital room holding that sweet baby boy just yesterday? Don’t think I haven’t imagined what this day will be like for me just two years from now.
I would love it if we could pray for all of our school teachers who are returning or preparing to return to the classroom. If you are a teacher, please chime in and let us know how we can pray for you. If you are a homeschooling parent or a college professor, please let us hear from you, too!
And, in honor of our Jenn and Nathan, I’d love it if we could also pray for our kiddos who are starting the year at new schools. Mamas, let’s not mention school names, but do let us know if your son or daughter is entering a new school environment and could use some prayer.
Oh, I just can’t stand the thought of leaving anyone out! If your student needs prayer for any other reason, I want us to pray for them, too.
Lord, thank You for the men and women who dedicate their lives to educating children. I ask You to bless them with strength, joy, favor with students and parents, and a strong sense of purpose. Make them fruitful in every way. Give them wisdom, creativity, patience, insight, and endurance. Give them Your supernatural love for each student, so much so that those kids go home each day with a keen sense of being loved by You. Use these teachers to make an eternal difference in the lives of their students. I pray that their families will have an easy and peaceful transition into the school year.
I also pray for all of our students, particularly those who are entering new schools this year. Father, please give them courage, peace, and joy. Let them make friends easily and connect well with their teachers. Let them find their security in You, Lord. Please sharpen their minds and help them learn. Build godly character in them. Use our Christ-following sons and daughters to draw others to You. Help them let go of what others think and to love the unlovely. Help them obey You even when it’s really hard. Father, for our sons and daughters who have not yet made decisions to follow You, let this be the year. Let them see their need of You and surrender their precious lives to You.
Thank You in advance for the work You’re going to do in our teachers and students’ lives this year, Lord. I pray all of these things in the strong and mighty name of Jesus. Amen!
I have not started college yet, but I return for my second year September 5. I am wrestling with the Lord on what I am supposed to do with my life; the same question so many have thought about before me. God has given me many talents and abilities, sometimes the hardest thing is narrowing it down. I need to make an important decision about continuing my softball career. I love the Lord, I love teaching, and I love languages/writing. I am currently pursuing a double major in math education and Biblical Literature but I am not at peace with this. I would like to one day write books of encouragement/challenge them to grow in the Lord. I really feel the Lord calling me to some type of ministry but I don't know what that looks like. Please pray for me as I start school and prepare to become a teacher of some sort.
Lifting up a grandson who starts third grade in a Christian school (new to him) this year, and a granddaughter off to first grade in the same school. A lump in my throat and a prayer in my heart for them to feel secure, loved and accepted. To find favor with their teachers and fellow students. And for a hunger and a passion in their hearts for the Lord and His Word!
I homeschool my two youngest children (13yos and 15yod) and we could really use some prayer. Our house was destroyed in a fire in December and we're still in temp housing. We really prayed to be in the reconstructed house before school, but we'll be moving the last weekend in Sept. Right now it doesnt really look like the house will be done by then either, so we'll be moving in with a host of contractors still buzzing about. Also, I had hoped to file all our insurance claims for the contents this summer, but it is so incredibly tedious that I only got about 1/3 done. So as you can guess, we're pretty stressed and school still has to go on. God has been so faithful though this whole season, but I'm having a hard time not being overwhelmed. Thanks for praying about school issues. I know God is watching over us.
Please pray for two 9 year old girls, who are starting school.
One starts in the next week and the other September 8th. Please pray that their precious hearts will grow stronger and stronger in the Lord. That the Lord will bring good Godly friends into their lives and lasting and blessed friendships and that they would be a witnesses of Christ's love and legacy for us and those they encounter even at such a tender age.
Please pray for a 14 yr old male (almost 15) and a 19 year old young woman. May their hearts expound and grow in the knowledge and personal relatiionship with our Lord and creator. May they be strengthened in Christ Jesus. May God's will be done in their life. May they take hold of that which Christ took hold for them. May they grow in wisdom and stature and may the Lord grab a hold of their hearts and they to the Lord like never before. May opportunities of God's plans and purposes be opened unto them that no man can shut. May they all be covered with the blood of Jesus.
May you Lord bless and make your face shine upon all teachers, all students, parents and all concerning this next school year. May they too experience what Siesta Beth wanted…"A JESUS YEAR".
Amen!
Oh Amanda! Thank you so much for your sensitive heart!
I'm sitting here grinning! Oh yes, God is working in our schools! His heart is so tender to children! I teach 6th grade (public school, California) and I KNOW our powerful and active LORD is mercifully at work!
Thanks for asking how you can pray for teachers:
1) We so need God's eyes to really see the truest needs of each, individual student.
2) His ears to hear what's not being asked, but silently pondered.
3) His wisdom to teach and speak with discernment.
4) His patience and love – in supernatural measure – so that He can accomplish His will through us.
5) His protection for all – on all campuses.
6) Lastly, that God would raise up more and more teachers, principals, and parents committed to His Word.
Thank you sooooo much! I will print out everyone's prayers, take them with me, and be expectant for God to work in our schools!
My first-born will start first grade at a new school next week. We live in a VERY large city so she will have a 45 minute bus ride to and from school each day. Please pray for safety in heavy traffic and that she would enjoy her new school.
Thanks,
Allison
Central Asia
As a teacher let me thank you for your prayers.
As a mom let me say, just wait until you have to leave your child on a college campus like I had to do a couple of week ago. Talk about hard.
I am praising God for the privilege of seeing the fruit of our labor as we send our oldest off to University. God has been gracious and fabulous in the work He has done in the life of each of my three sons.
I have not cried…much! But the tears I have cried have been one of praise because I see my son walking in obedience and in light of God's word…for himself. Praise you LORD!
It was a very hard and demanding work raising three sons who were born who were born very close in age (15, 17, 18). But to see them becoming young men who love and serve God…well that is a blessing indeed.
Remember Moms…we are not called to raise little boys and girls. We are called to raise men and women of God to carry the work of the kingdom in to the next generations. It is a humbling privilege to be a part of Gods beautiful and wonderful work.
Press on…even on the tough days. Celebrate and enjoy each season of your child's life. May you be blessed as you raise these young men and women of God!
I have huge concerns already in my classroom. These babies will need to be lifted in prayer for years….pray for the little girl that was just removed from her home because her mom kept threatening to kill her…. pray for the little boy who bounces back and forth between schools depending upon which parent has won the latest fist fight…..pray for the girls who have already been abandoned once by their parents and are still allowed to live in that neglectful environment….I sometimes feel unspeakably incompetent when I look into these dear children's eyes. God, please bless them, protect them.
Please pray for my 13 yr. old daughter…new step-dad, town, school, and church. We have been praying for a sweet devoted young Christin girl to become her friend and help her along this new road.
Thanks…
We had such a busy first day yesterday that I had no time to get on here. Thanks for the post and if you all could just pray that all 3 of my kids(7th, 10th & 11th)do well and have a good year that would be great. We have been here a year and so we are settled and will be here while both girls finish HS and then due to the military we maybe moving again. 🙂
One of our daughters just started college. Please be in prayer she will be strong in a "state" school environment. It will be very different for her as she has left a safe, christian home as well as school. Please pray that God will send Godly girls and GUYS into her life!
wendy
Thank you for the encouraging prayer. I am a MK (Missionary Kid) teacher that teaches in a one room school house on the edge of the Sahara Desert (Niger). This year is a bit of a challenging one for me. 8 students ranging in ages from 4-11. 3 of the students are ESL. It can sometimes be a little lonely…thank you for remembering all teachers in your prayer.
Blessings…
My nephew starts kindergarten this year and is super excited about riding the bus and going to "real" school – I'm sure my sister will need prayer as he is the baby. My niece will be in 2nd grade – pray she adjusts to having her younger brother at school and on the bus and that her attitude towards school changes. She is too young to be sick of school already!
Morgan-high school
Easton-middle school
Logan-elementary
Colton-Elementary
Katie-kindergarten
Thank you for your prayers!
I am praying for all christian teachers to have the boldness to stand apart from thier coworkers and be a witness with thier behavior! Praise you Jesus for all those they touch with your love!
Our whole family is in public education. My husband teaches 5th grade, my son is in 7th this year (sporting his new braces:), and my daughter is in 5th. I am also a teacher and work part time "coaching" and working with other teachers in a local middle school. We are all at different schools with various schedules. Pray for a smooth transition as my husband started Monday, me today, and Todd and Jodi tomorrow. And a praise too, as God is good and we have been blessed through good times and hard times with positive friends and environments.
We are on the east coast and don't start school until Sept 8th. But it will brand new schools once again for my 8th grader and 5th grader. This will be the 5th new school for my older daughter and 3rd for my 5th grade daughter. We are praying they meet Christian friends right away who can help them make the transition. Thanks for praying!
My oldest son is a senior this year, so I pray that this will be a year full of special moments, of growth & learning both in his education but in his walk with the Lord that he will grow closer in his faith as he takes steps towards manhood…that he will find his calling in life and also prayer that my youngest son as he enters the 7th grade will have an open mind towards learning, will make good friends AND choices…prayer that the Lord will find him and touch his heart…
Thank you for this prayer! I prayed it and shared it on my Facebook. My public school kid's teacher wrote on her Facebook profile last week:
"I am very excited about meeting my new students this week! I love teaching and the ability it gives me to impact kids lives. It is my mission field! I am blessed to have my own kids witness to other in school and win kids to christ through being …there! School is an awesome place to be! God will protect and equipt those that are willing to serve him!!!!"
God answers our prayers for our teachers, students and our campuses! God is wonderfully amazing!
Thanks for this beautiful prayer! My oldest starts high school today!!! He had quite an encounter w/ God this summer @ camp and knows he walks into a new school w/ God…but I sure wish I could be there too!
My other 3 kids have already been in school for almost 2 months in yr. round school….I now have 2 in elem., 1 in middle school and 1 in high school….and I teach for the community college. We pretty much cover the education spectrum!
So count me in for praying for the teachers and students!
Angela
Garner, NC
Please pray for my family. I have a son just entering high school (I am a basket case – he seems to be handling it rather well!) and another son in 7th grade. Also, I am home-schooling my daughter this year. I would appreciate any prayers you would offer for all of us! Love to all the siestas . . .
What a great post Amanda!
I am a teacher of preschool age students (3-5) with a diagnosis of autism. I ABSOLUTELY need your prayers siestas!!! Please pray that I would have the energy, patience, perseverance, and knowledge to serve these kids in the best way possible. Also pray for my witness to my fellow staff members. I work with many co-workers (average of 4-10 adults per room, & there are 3 autism rooms on my campus) who do not know the Lord.
Specifically…please pray for time management as I have 2 IEP's this week and a detailed schedule due to my supervisor by the 1st…so much to do and so little time. Last request, really!….pray for me to maintain healthy boundaries with my work. I have the tendency to take on way more than I should (at the expense of my walk with the Lord sometimes).
Thank you Siestas, Amanda, Melissa and Siesta Mama!
Ps. Katiegfromtenessee…I love ya! Thanks for your prayers!!!!
Thank you for posting this….I do, in fact need prayer for my children.
Our son, who we adopted 18 months ago at the age of 2 will be starting a full day integrated preschool. He is 3 1/2 now and we're sending him b/c he has some pretty significant speech needs. While we believe this is the place he needs to be to make progress, it will be hard for him to be at school by himself and navigate a classroom…especially with limited speech.
Our daughter will be starting 3rd grade this year and I just ask that she continue to seek the Lord and have her be a light to her MANY unsaved friends and teachers. Peer issues increase with each grade and she will need to rely on God alone to get through some of the sticky friend situations.
Thank you so much! I am also a teacher in public school so I see it from both sides…teacher and parent! Our kids in public school need so desperately to be covered in prayer!
Blessings to you!
Carrie
my oldest girl started kindergarten Monday. Please pray for a great year, with growing in knowledge spiritually and intellectually.
Oh Amanda, your prayer brought me to tears. How your words echoed the prayer of my heart for my children!
My son went to a private kindergarten last year and will move into public school (where his older sister goes) for 1st grade this year. He is very nervous about being in a new (BIG) school with new teachers and no friends. Thank you so much for your prayer that he would make friends quickly, be surrounded by God's peace, and come home feeling loved every day – I love that!
And I am joining you in asking God that this would be the year my little guy chooses to give his life to Jesus!
Thank you, Amanda.
I would greatly appreciate your prayers. My oldest son is just beginning the Math & Science Academy at WKU. He will live in a dorm with other high school juniors and seniors, but go to all university classes. Pray for him to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit….obedient, happy and connected.
My youngest son just started high school this year. Same prayer requests for him.
My biggest prayer request is that they would both have a burning desire to get closer to Jesus and they grow & mature. So many distractions that continually pull at them…Satan has so many tools to get them off the path. Thank you Lord Jesus, that there is no tool greater than you.
I am a middle school special education teacher…I could use your prayers in that area as well!
Pray for me that I would be able to be a better parent to all my children, but to be able learn how to teach my oldest who is going into first grade how to let things go and that other peoples opinions do not matter. She is a child that is motivated by successes in life. She is only 6 but I'm her mother I know my child and I can already see how she adjusts herself so others will accept her and it's not so healthy sometimes. A person from church told her no one wants to be fat because that is bad. I didn't know this til she stopped eating certain foods because she didn't want to be fat. I asked her why she wasn't eating her food and she said that she doesn't want to be fat because that is really bad. This is my kid that I had to take to the doctor because she is too thin (due to a high metabolism)and the doctor told me I needed to fatten her up somehow. She needs all the food she can get.
I know this is long but If people are praying I want to be specific. I am constantly praying for God to show me what to do to try and move her approval seeking to God alone, but sometimes I truly am at a loss at how to reach her already bruised esteem.
Actually, I ask for prayer for me. I start seminary tomorrow for the field of Christian Education. I just up and moved from North Carolina to California to attend. Thanks ladies!
Our oldest son will be a freshman in high school and our younger son will be a sixth grader in middle school. This is a huge year for both of them and for us as their parents. Please join us in praying that God will circumcise and guard their precious hearts and protect them from the enemy that is constantly on the prowl. Pray they will continue to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Thank you so much for this!!!!!
Great Idea! Praying too!
Please pray for my three boys. They are in a new school district this year (Sept. 1st), and a new house. Last year was insane plus being the first time in public school. (I homeschooled for 5yrs. previously).. Big two years for them, combined with a lot of family upsets.
Corey is 12. He will be in 6th. He needs help, possibly an IEP. Prayers he will find "good" friends.
Tanner is 10. He will be in 5th. He is very shy but has started football so prayers he makes friends and no serious injuries!
Landon is 7. He will be in 2nd. He's a great student but has trouble being himself and working within a group.
Thank you so very much for your prayers! I pray the boys will continue to grow in their love for the Lord and seek Him daily. Help them Lord to be kinder to each other. This last year was so tough on them.
Thank you!
Please pray that we see the students through Jesus' eyes. And when a child is acting out, to see the need that is screaming to be met in that child's life.
When we have the opportunity to react to a situation with frustration or laughter, let us choose laughter each time.
Pray that we remember that, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men. Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving."
Col 3:23,24 NIV
I am 32 and trying desperately to finish my degree. I have approximatley two semesters left and I am DRAGGING! I have four kids at home ages 4 months to 12. I just cannot seemed to get motivated to get any work finished. That is my prayer!
Thank you!! I would love for you to pray for my fouth grade daughter Hannah. She is dyslexic and very bright, however this disability is not recognized by the school district. I pray for her self esteem and that her teachers this year will be able to recognize her potential and that she will be able to blossom academically and socially. Also, for my other 3 darling daughters; Audrey in third grade and Emme & Kate beginning Kindergarten.
Thank you so much!! God bless!!
Please pray for my two grandsons. We homeschool them both. They both have Type 1 Diabetis, wear insulin pumps, but are all boy. The younger one is so diffiacult to keep his blood sugars in control, going from highs to lows very quickly. I am praying for no organ damage – he is just 9 years old. Please pray for his mom, up several times every night to check the boys blood sugaars, and please pray for strength for his parents and me as we homeschool and care for them. Thankyou
My baby daughter is starting college this year. It is so exciting and I cant wait to see what God will do in her life. I pray for her, as well as for a deepening of my marriage.
I'd appreciate prayer for my daughter who started high school yesterday, and for my son who started his senior year. For godly friends for them both. Thanks!
Karen in Yorba Linda, CA
Please pray for my cousin who is a teacher going back this fall under a lot of stress from a sudden life change. Her husband left her in June for another woman and she has been reeling all summer. She has 3children, on of which (her oldest) she sent off for her first year of college. As you can see, stress city. I have gotten to use much of Me, Myself and Lies in counseling her. She is a believer adn my prayer for her is to grow closer to the Lover of her soul, drawing strenth and growing in faith. Thank you for caring.
What a HUGE blessing this post was Amanda! Thank you!
I am a preschool teacher at a small Christian school. Please pray for energy & LOTS of it! Also pray for our school as many have had to leave due to the economy- oh how I wish it was free for all who wanted to be there!
Also, my boys (11 and 13) both start school next week at our public school. My oldest has learning and social challenges and school is so hard for him! He is on the autism spectrum and is high functioning but still has such a struggle!
Thanks and God Bless you all!
Titus starts kindergarten. He is so excited but this is so hard for me since i always thought we would home school. God has different plans. He is Good.
I teach eleventh-grade English in Alabama, and I sincerely appreciate your remembering us in prayer. Please pray that I will see my students as God sees them and that I will be the light of Jesus not only to them but also to other teachers, to parents, etc. I have adopted the chorus of Brandon Heath's song "Give Me Your Eyes" as my prayer this year.
Give me your eyes for just one second.
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing.
Give me your love for humanity.
Give me your heart for the brokenhearted,
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me your eyes so I can see.
Thanks again,
Rachel
Wow…I'm praying for all these kiddos. Please pray for my girls..we had to move to the other side of town and they just switched from a private Christian school to a public one. My girls 4th grade and 1st grade are so excited to share Jesus at their school that they wanted notebooks with stickers of verses all over them!! And my sweet little Hope, the first grader wanted to know if she could give her teacher a bible for her birthday. I'm praying that their big Jesus bubbles are not popped in any way today or this year!! Thanks sweet Beth!!
Please pray for my daughter (10th grade) and son (7th grade) who have changed from a public school to a private school setting. There is a big difference is every way and my daughter is having a hard time adjusting. She is a social butterfly and misses her friends. We moved them for better academic learning and a better learning environment. Right now we are all going through a rough time. Thank you.
Thank you for this post!!! It is a great reminder to all of us that have children in our lives.
I haved prayed daily for my nephews (3 of them, junior, 7th grader and 1st grader) since the oldest one started kindergarten. I also pray during the summer for their upcoming school year.
I also lead a teenage girls bible study at my church and pray for them daily too. They are juniors as well.
Thank you for the prayers!!!!
Both of my girls are going to be Freshmen in new schools. They had been in a small private school. But circumstances have changed, and the younger one is going to public school this year, and it is so way different! And my older daughter is in college.. not only is she dealing with the change in structure, but she is also Autistic, so, this is a whole new ballgame. I just wish to pray that they both follow God's ways!
Delilah
Thank you so much for this post and call out for prayer!! It is so timely and my daughter could definitely use a covering of prayer right now. Please pray for her. She just started High School at a new school last week, and is struggling to find a friend or feel like she fits in. She is such a sweet Christ loving girl, and she is very shy, and not very self confident. She has lost so many hours of sleep this last week and shed so many tears, and so have I….it breaks my heart to watch my child feel so discouraged and distraught. She will let my husband and me pray for her, but she hasn't been praying for herself because she feels God doesn't hear her….. please pray that she will draw near to our Father right now when she needs it most, and please pray that He will give her comfort and strength and new friends and joy in her heart, blessing on her, and a deeper relationship with Him. Thank you so much!!
I am a teacher in public schools! We have about 1400 students and I see them all. Thank you for your prayers! We just found out one of our students got injured Sunday night and is in intensive care. They are trying to stabalize him to operate. Please pray for him. No name here but God knows!
P.S. -this is our third week!
Thank you for presenting our needs to the One who has the power and widsom to exceedingly meet all of our needs!
I am a homeschool mom and teacher at a high school homeschool coop. And God DID arrive in both settings!
Thank you!
I am so grateful that my sweet Bethany, 6 years old and starting first grade, had a wonderful first day! This year she has to ride the school bus two days a week to my friend's house, and I have to confess that I was absolutely terrified that the worst would happen (she would miss the bus or get off on the wrong stop). I prayed all day for her, and was never so happy then when I knew she stepped off the bus at just the right place and just at the right time. Last night in her bedtime prayer she thanked God for "not letting me be nervous or scared on the bus". Can I tell you how my heart swelled with pride and joy? Praise You Lord!
Deanna