Praying through the school year

This week in Bible Study Boost #3 we looked at what the Bible says about knowing God is with us and with our children. I hope you felt encouraged by the promises! In today’s guest post, my friend Laura Kreitler shares about how she prays through the school year, beginning to end. Laura encourages over — moms as the online leader of the Million Praying Moms Facebook Group. I’ve loved getting to know Laura and her tender heart for foster care, adoption, special needs, and prayer. I think most school moms will be nodding in agreement after her first sentence! Welcome Laura!

Every end to a school year brings a sigh of relief for me. It means I have a couple months without phone calls from teachers, without extra projects, without detentions. My kids are in a private school, and while it is amazing for structure and academics, at times the structure becomes a nightmare because I have a child with special needs. The school doesn’t have any resources for special needs children. My son is very high functioning, and he does well academically, but has a few tics and issues that cause some difficulties in the classroom if he doesn’t get an understanding teacher who is willing to go the extra mile to work with him.

We have looked at all schooling options and for now, God has shown us that this is what is best for our family. Even with the difficulties we face when we get a teacher who is not understanding about my son’s needs that go above what a typical child would need. 

Praying through the summer

All during the summer months, I pray for my kids’ teachers. I pray for God to grant grace when choosing the teachers for my kids, all of them, but especially my son with special needs.

Praying through the start

As the new school year approaches, I begin to pray for my heart to lean on the Lord, to trust His plan, whatever it is. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a comfort to me because it says that if we trust in the Lord with all of our hearts He will direct our paths. Sometimes the difficult teachers do shape us, and God uses those people to mold and make us into who He wants us to be.

I have to pray that I don’t live in anxiety waiting to meet my kids new teachers. I also need to pray that my children don’t have anxiety regarding the new school year. 

Once we find out who their new teachers are, my prayers become specific for their teachers. I pray the teachers would have a good, productive, healthy year personally. I pray they would be encouraged on the hard days. I pray for God to give them wisdom when dealing with all the students, but especially my student in their classroom. 

Praying through the year

As I get to know the teacher throughout the year, I can then begin to pray more specifically for them. I also pray more specifically for my children. I know what stressors they are facing, what subjects they may be struggling in, and how friendships are developing. 

I am so thankful we have a God who we can bring each of these prayers to, and he knows each child’s needs individually. He has a bigger plan than even the one I see and want for my children. I can rest knowing His love for them is larger than even my love for them. I know that He will do what is best for my children in every situation, even when I can’t see how things will turn out.

• Psalm 91 talks about God hiding us under His wings like a mother bird does. He shelters our children from harm. And that comforts me. Read it here.
• Psalm 46 says God is our refuge and strength and present help in trouble. God protects my children when they are away from me at school. He is my refuge when I am worried about them at home, and He is their refuge when things happen at school that may be difficult for them. Read it here.
• I Peter 5:7. I’m so thankful we can cast all of our care on Jesus because He cares for us! Read it here.

Dear Father, I am so thankful for the children you have entrusted to my care. Lord, I am also thankful to know that You love them more than I do. You have their best interests at heart, and Your plan is bigger than mine. I am learning to trust You even when I can’t see the end result. Thank you for every experience that forms us all more into Your image. Thank You for being our refuge and taking our anxiety on Your shoulders. Please help me to trust You in all things. In Jesus Name, Amen

The ABCs of Praying for Students is available in digital or print format at Christen Price Studio and will help you pray all year for your students.

Guest Writer Laura Kreitler makes her home on the Gulf Coast and is the mom of three amazing kids. She is the online leader of more than 1,000 moms in the Pray the Word Journal Facebook Community.