“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT
I was able to see this scripture come to life in the classroom physically. As a young teacher, my prayers were for my students to pass a test, behave in class, make good grades, etc. My prayers were primarily focused on what the physical eyes can see. As I grew as a teacher and in my walk with God, God opened my eyes to see the warfare that is happening in the schools daily.
I learned students are more than just a pass or fail. These are children today and adults tomorrow…these children have souls and the enemy is trying to pull them in one direction. The things competing for their attention are wild. When I learned this my prayers changed.
My prayers went from self-centered prayers to God-centered prayers.
A typical morning prayer would be,
“God thank you for these students. Lord, You reign in the classroom! Thank you for creating them fearfully and wonderfully. Thank you for allowing them to be in my class, use me to display your character to them. God bless these students from the top of their heads to the soles of their feet. Open their eyes and ears to see and hear from You. Lord bless the students with understanding and wisdom from You. Forgive us all for all acts of sinfulness and help us to be quick to forgive those who have sinned against us. Lord don’t let these students yield to the temptation of drugs, rebellion, sex, low self-esteem, or bullying but rescue them from the evil one. Lord, you are all powerful and I give you all the glory honor, and praise in Jesus’ Name Amen!
One thing I noticed when I stopped praying for me to look good and for God’s will to be done, the atmosphere shifted. Students enjoyed being in the classroom because the presence of God was there.
During my last year teaching a student wrote me a letter thanking me for teaching him about the grace of God.
As schools go back into session, pray that the presence of God is in each school, from the front to the back, on the playground, football field, track, tennis courts, etc. Pray that the students and teachers yield to the presence and power of our almighty God. Prayer is essential because it will change the trajectory of the future generation.
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