WELCOME, COME AND PRAY – 09-10-2021

WELCOME, COME AND PRAY
September 10, 2021

Prayer: Lord, help me to commit to praying on a daily basis. You know our needs and answer when we call. Amen.

Scripture: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV

Welcome to the new school year! I pray that you are beginning this school year rested and ready to change the world.

Okay, who laughed? Was it because I hope that you are rested? Because I know as an educator you crammed twelve months worth of home/yard/family projects and plans into three short months… well I pray you got at least one good nap in… or did you laugh when I assumed you knew you were here to change the world? I remember my very first year of teaching and the scoffing of a seasoned teacher about my enthusiasm, “Oh you newbie! They always think they are going to change the world.” She laughed at me as she walked away, but “change” is exactly why I became a teacher! I knew the next generation of leaders, doctors, scientists, writers, politicians, judges, lawyers, farmers, inventors, and educators were sitting in my classroom. The only hope for a better tomorrow was prayer and good teachers. That is still true today. You are a big part of their today and their future.

I have had some of my students keep up with me over the years and I am proud of their success and the impact they are making. If you have students come to visit you from past years, please stop what you are doing and listen to them, it is a moment of gratefulness and admiration for you. Their visit is a nudge that you made a difference in their lives even if they are not out changing the world. The emotional bond and the educational boost is a mighty force. Teachers are among the most highly noted people given credit when someone of great success is asked, “Who was your biggest influence?”

We have such a broad spectrum of schools and educators who meet together to pray. I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Whether your students use crayons or calculators, play dress-up or go to the prom; you all have much in common. You will all have great days and not-so-great days. You will have parents who adore you, parents you can never get to answer your calls or emails, and parents that some days you would like to hide from (go ahead and smile, it is okay). You will laugh until you cry and some days, you will just cry. There will be rehearsals, recitals, report cards, recess, pep rallies, dances, school plays, snow days, and fire drills. There will be victory and there will be “try again tomorrow”… never defeat. There will be triumphs, and unfortunately, as in every year gone by, someone, somewhere will experience tragedy. This side of heaven, no year will be perfect and that is why we gather together to pray! We walk through these hallways together; our school is our mission field and we thank God for the opportunity to come here every day and change the world, better yet, to impact His Kingdom. We have to stick together! He knows the plans He has for this year; He knows every detail from beginning to end, and He promises to listen when we come and pray. Why would you ever miss out on that offer? He is your hope and holds the future.

Copyright Kathy Branzell.  To connect with the author email [email protected]

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