Summer
vacation is not what it used to be. My school years gave us enough summer to
enjoy vacations, picnics, time with friends, and swimming. The session ended in
May and didn’t begin again until after Labor Day.
Both my grandparents planted gardens every year, so a lot of my summer activities included shucking corn and shelling peas. Now school starts again not long after the last bell rang at the end of the previous year. Schedules are different now and so are the enemies that wait for kids as they begin a new educational season.
Not to say
we didn’t have problems. In the sixties and seventies college campuses were in
an uproar and the Vietnam War brought about protests and accusations aimed at
our faithful service members. But the elementary and high school I attended in
a small Arkansas town was administered by supervisors and teachers who honored the
Lord. We went back to school with God.
Bullies have
always existed but most of the time these people were an anomaly not a
standard. And usually someone stood up to them and that took care of most
situations.
I’m not
saying all this to indicate we should return to the “good ol’ days.” God warns
us in Ecclesiastes 7:10, Do not say, “Why were
the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning
this.
But the
comparison can give us perspective on the difference in what students face now
as opposed to decades ago. Bullying is so violent now some kids commit suicide
over their treatment. The educational system has evolved into a politically
correct environment where kids aren’t educated so much on math and science;
rather it’s the social issues, the acceptance of immoral activities (especially
the LBGTQ lifestyle), and an anti-God movement that persecutes those who want
to share their faith.
Maybe all
this happened because we as believers didn’t stand up to the bully of godless
government policies that infiltrated schools.
This is why
we can’t send kids back to school without prayer. Pray for the children, and
for the teachers, administrators, bus drivers, security officers, and janitors.
They all have a way to influence the students with their attitudes and actions.
Those of us
who don’t have children in school any longer can do our part to not only pray
for them, but we can be a support system and encouragement to those we know.
We can pray
that children and teenagers will be open to the gospel and make wise decisions
in what they will believe.
We can
ask the Lord to lead them to Him instead of following peer pressure for
acceptance. Kids need to know they are loved and accepted because of what
Christ did, not because they join a group or follow the actions of other fallen
human beings.
The
following Scriptures, all in the NKJV, can help us as we pray and stand in
faith for physical protection and for mind protection against anti-biblical
points of view.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in
the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which
endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God
the Father has set His seal on Him. (John 6:27)
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to
men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance;
for you serve the Lord Christ, but he who does wrong will be repaid for what he
has done, and there is no partiality. (Colossians 3:23–24)
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to
those who love Him. (James 1:12)
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware
lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error
of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.
(2 Peter 3:17–18)
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and
my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1–2)
The Lord’s
promises never fail but they only work when we apply them by faith. We can know
our kids are in the best hands in the universe as we approach His throne each
day and send them back to school with God.
What
Scriptures would you add to this list? Join the conversation.
TWEETABLE
Send your kids back to school with God by standing on Scriptural promises. (click to tweet)
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Oh my, I remember all that Ms. Barbara. I also remember how my JROTC Battalion Staff and I stood up against the "no prayer in school" mandate by intentionally creating a LONG pause between the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements to create the space that was once reserved for school prayer. I also remember having faith-based Bible clubs in school. All these things are outlawed today. I was just praying this morning for the children of dear friends who have grown up in the church but will be moving away for college. How I pray they have had enough poured into them to be able to withstand the world.
ReplyDeleteKudos to your JROTC battalion, J.D. This shows the integrity of your group and your willingness to stand up for what is right. We do need to continue to pray for our youth as they are surrounded (as we are) with negative influences. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteI pray each time I pass a school on the road. I like your specific suggestions for prayer as well as the sense of urgency your post sets. School prayers are much needed today.
ReplyDeleteOur schools do need so much prayer. Praying each time we pass one is a great idea. Thanks for sharing, Candyce. Blessings!
DeleteIt's a different world now, for sure, than when we were children. Yes, our children need our prayers. Our society and country, and especially our leaders need much prayer, too. Our schools reflect the push from society to conform to mainstream beliefs. Hopefully, and with prayer, we can strive to impact society by sharing the light and love of Jesus with others. We each can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, as an educator I am sure you have experienced the push from society to conform to mainstream beliefs. We do need to pray for changes to take place in the educational system. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, Wonderful idea to pray for the school children and for the teachers as well! My daughter, Juli, is a Special Ed teacher and she needs prayer for her students!
ReplyDeleteI am going to send my grandchildren prayers for tomorrow morning!
Thank you Barbara!
Cindy!🙏
Prayer is the best way to start a school year. I will pray for Juli and her students. Thanks for sharing, Cindy. Blessings!
DeleteThis is an excellent and timely post, Barbara. You've made many great points and the Scripture passages are on target.
ReplyDeleteOur children, teachers, administrators, and parents desperately need our prayers.
Our schools, students, and the staff surely do need our prayers. They face an enemy before they even get to school. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, you are so right -- we can never pray too much for students, teachers, administrators and everyone else involved with education. Like Candyce, I often pray when I pass a school. Thanks for your suggestions on how we can pray even more effectively for them.
ReplyDeletePraying as we pass a school is such a good suggestion. Most of us pass them every day so we know we are covering our students and staff with God's shield of faith. Thanks for sharing, Leigh. Blessings!
DeleteThe times have changed. In 1967 my church youth choir performed the youth musical at my high school and several other high schools here in Texas. I was playing my Gibson Hummingbird guitar with the group. At the end of the musical he were able to share the plan of salvation and have an alter call where dozens of young people came forward and accepted Christ. During high school I was able to drive my pickup truck to school. It had a gun rack. I had a 410 gauge shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle on the gun rack. We didn't even roll up our windows because it was so hot. I even was in a fight with a fellow student. The coach pulled us aside, put boxing gloves on us, took us to the gym where students could sit in the bleachers as we "duked" it out. My freshman year in college a fellow student got his girl fired pregnant. Instead of modern solutions they got married and have celebrated their 50th anniversary. His friends raised money to help them get an apartment and pay for the baby's delivery. He was given a hard time for being irresponsible and wasn't asked what are you going to do but when's the wedding and how can we help you'll get good start. We married young back then. It helped make sure we didn't get honeymoon before the wedding. Great article.
ReplyDeleteJimmie, I remember those same kinds of incidents when I went to school. I lived in a small Arkansas town so there were lots of pickups in the school parking lot with shotguns in the back window. Our teachers prayed in the morning and before we went to lunch. The changes that have taken place are sad but we know God can change them if we continue to stand on His Word and fight against evil. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, I wrote this post "Anonymous8/3/23, 9:57 AM" - Jimmie Kepler
ReplyDeleteOn my prayer card for the schools, educators, and students of America, I'm going to add some of the scriptures you included at the end of your post. They'll give me meaningful words to pray. Thank you, Barbara!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Scriptures helped you, Nancy. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteSuch an important message Barbara and thanks for sharing. I try to make sure I cover my grandkids with prayer to protect them as they head back to school. I’m praying for all of schools as they begin again.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I pray for my granddaughter every year. Even before school starts I am praying she will have the right teacher and friends. I cover her school and stand on the Word for their protection. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteI agree, Barbara. We must pray for children going back to school. It seems a lot like a lion's den, with our enemy prowling around looking for someone to devour. May God protect them.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, your comparison is so true. Our kids are entering a lion's den, but we know when they go with God He is right there with them as He was with Daniel. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
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