Prayer For Christian Teachers

Encouragement for Christian teachers

Maintaining a professional website has been a balancing game for me.  On one hand, I need to reach teachers who are solely interested in educational resources. On the other hand, I have a desire to share ideas with an eternal value and deeper implications.

I’ve personally experienced how the love of God can transform the way we approach our work as teachers, and to leave out that message would be to waste an incredible opportunity to help educators who want to incorporate their spirituality into their daily work.

I’ve experienced an unexplainable joy that comes from striving to know God more and incorporating Him into my everyday routines. Nothing I have accomplished so far has been done apart from His power and grace.

Sharing so much of what I do on a daily basis in the classroom is nearly impossible without mentioning Him.

I created this page and The Cornerstone Devotions for Teachers to encourage teachers to seek God as their source of strength in all they do and view even the most mundane aspects of teaching as part of a divine calling.

A word of encouragement

There are many days when I feel impatient with the kids– the three thousandth time I have reminded them to put their names on their papers and am still faced with the inevitable task of handwriting scrutiny to determine the authorship of four random papers.

   I want to chastise them (“How many times have I told you??”) but the thought always occurs to me–how many times have I done that to God?  How many times has He corrected me with loving-kindness only for me to turn around and make the exact same mistakes over and over again, sometimes even willfully!  What if Jesus treated us that way:  “This is the last time I’m going to tell you to do this.  Next time, forget it, I’m not helping you.  Don’t come crying to me when the consequences fly in your face.”  His patience is endless, and that is how He calls us to be.

His grace is the model for how we are to treat others–rendering favor when we don’t have to and changing our focus from giving students what they ‘deserve’ to seeing them how God sees them.

  But our place is not to condemn and criticize, it is to lift up our students.

  When I deal with a particularly challenging student or parent, rather than saying, “This kid doesn’t care, his parents don’t care, I give up, I’m not dealing with it anymore”, I try to pray for them instead, that God would work through me to bring positive change.   That’s really hard to do sometimes and I end up praying for my own attitude to change more than anything!

The books of Ephesians and Galatians always remind me of the character God wants me to have (all scripture in the New King James Version):

Do not let any unwholesome talk come your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.   (Ephesians 4:29)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23, italics added)

These are the attributes God calls Christians to show, and I know that He would especially want us to demonstrate those qualities towards the precious little ones in our care.

  We are to love them unconditionally, have joy in our work, let the peace we have inside show on the outside, be patient with others’ shortcomings, model kindness and goodness, be gentle with our words, and have self-control when we are tempted to make harsh or rash decisions.

We should also keep in mind that the Bible tells us: Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

(James 3:1) I personally believe that this verse applies not only to teachers of the word of God but also to anyone in a position to dispel knowledge to others in a formalized setting.

  In other words, those of us who are pillars in the community, whose lives are on display in front of impressionable young people, who mold the attitudes and priorities of children and are responsible for teaching them truth and wisdom–we are held to a higher standard by God.

Our influence on students cannot be overestimated.

  Don’t we all remember a horrible teacher from our childhood who embarrassed us or made us feel we were worth nothing?  And doesn’t each of us recall a fabulous teacher who inspired and encouraged us?   What a powerful impression these teachers made, for good or for bad–we still remember them far into our adult years.  As educators, we have an awesome responsibility and privilege set before us and we are called to take it on with grace and wisdom.

Although sharing our faith is not appropriate in a public school setting, we have the privilege and obligation before God to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit when working with our students, their parents, and our co-workers.

  We are called to work as unto the Lord, not as unto man, and strive to do everything with excellence. Other people should be able to tell through our actions that something about us is different.

  Showing Christ’s love through the way we live our lives is the most powerful witness we can have.

“You [believers] are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” -Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16)

  The best and only truly legal way to express our spiritual beliefs in school is through the witness of how we live our lives; striving to be modest in appearance and attitude, honest and full of integrity, avoiding gossip, helping others whenever we can, showing patience and respect to our students, and sharing the joy and peace that we have found in God through a positive attitude.

Developing the right mindset

I wrote this book to encourage teachers who WANT to stay positive and keep a good attitude, but struggle because of the random, endless list of stuff that just seems to pop up everyday, all day long in school.

Awakened provides specific, actionable steps you can take to change your perspective and automatic response to stressful situations. Though this is not written just for Christian teachers, each suggestion is biblically-sound principles.

People who don’t know the Lord will find solid, common-sense, practical advice, and believers will recognize tips that reinforce the truth of God’s word. More information about the book can be found here.

Check out the devotions!

The Cornerstone Devotions for Teachers is a separate blog I maintain to provide spiritual support for educators. I try to post at least once a month. You can subscribe to new posts from the devotions page to get new devotions sent automatically to your email inbox.

NEW–Join the Cornerstone devotions for teachers on !

Our community now has a new  page! Stop by and tell us what you teach and what you need prayer for. Share something awesome that God’s doing in your classroom or in your life. Or just hang back, and wait for something that’s posted to speak to you. I don’t know exactly what this whole endeavor will look , or what each of our roles will be, but I’m excited to see what God has planned.

Источник: //thecornerstoneforteachers.com/message-for-christian-teachers/

6 Christian Prayers For Guidance

Whether you are young Timothy studying under Paul or you are Paul teaching and encouraging others, you need guidance in your life. All knowledge trickles down from the very top, in God’s Word! Here are 6 prayers that deal with different situations of us needing guidance and us giving guidance to others.

Teach Me Your Ways

“Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth.” (Psalm 86:11a)

Father in heaven,

Lord, I need your guidance. I am so lost right now. I have no idea where my life is headed. I don’t have a spouse, a good career or a reliable car. Lord, teach me Your ways. Show me the things that you have planned for me.

With life as fragile as it is I need You, my Lord, my Rock! I need You as my stability! Lord, guide me in my walk with You. Lord, guide me even in this prayer through Your precious gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit! I pray, Lord, that when He speaks I will follow.

You know what is best for me and I give you everything today! I love You! Amen

The Only Tour Guide Worth Following

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Thank You for the most important gift of ALL-TIME! Thank You for Jesus!

Merciful Father,

Thank You for the most important gift of ALL-TIME! Thank You for Jesus! I have knitted John 14:6 to my heart, Lord. If Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life than I am following Him! Lord, I will do what Jesus says in the Gospels.

I will follow His teachings! Thank you, Jesus, for Your guidance! Lead me to the cross daily, Lord, that I may see Jesus around me and in me.

I am excited for the first day I step into heaven, and I will continue to follow my guide, Jesus Christ, until He walks me through those pearly gates for the very first time! He is my Savior! Thank You for Him, Lord! I love You! Amen

Give Me The Words

“And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12)

Dear Lord,

My brother, Your child, is defending our country overseas. Lord, I just received word about his capture. Father, I am sick to my stomach! Lord, protect my brother in his incarceration. Lord, I beg You to allow him to return home safely! While he is there I pray that he will stay strong in his belief in Jesus.

Lord, he believes every word in the Bible and I pray that You will give him the right words to speak every single second that he is in that torturous place. Lord, his willpower will decrease and I pray that You will be his increase! Revive his spirit daily! Give him your peace that passes all understanding as well as all of us back home.

We all need Your peace in the chaotic situation. Father, if it comes down to my brother’s faith, I pray that he would hold fast to Jesus! If he must be a martyr for Christ, then give me the strength to say, “It is well with my soul.

” Father, the fear of the unknown is haunting all of us daily and I pray that Your peace would make the fear dissipate before us. I love You, Lord and I trust in You always! Amen

May I Be The Opposite

“It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.” (Luke 17:2)

Father,

I pray for forgiveness if there is any sin that needs repentance. It is so shameful to even think that I don’t remember all of the sins I commit daily. I am sorry for giving into temptation, Lord.

As I walk through this life, I pray that I will not be the reason for anyone to sin, especially the little children that look up to me! I want to be the best role model I can for them. I want them to see Jesus in me, Father.

I ask for Your patience with me as I am still learning daily to become stronger through Your word. Lord, I will sin again, and I pray that when I do, I will be a good example to these kids about what forgiveness is all about.

I pray that even in sin, I can tell them how thankful I am to You for Your forgiveness! And I pray that these little ones will forgive me as well any time I am the reason they might stumble. I pray for Your guidance as I help guide these children to Jesus. I love You! Amen

Our Government

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Almighty God,

Our country is a train wreck! Our government is flawed! Moral decay is rampant here! Father, I pray that You would draw our leaders to You. I pray that You will soften the hearts of any official that is against You.

Father, PLEASE show Yourself in a mighty way to the leaders in our government so that they have no option but to say, “My Lord, my God, I have been so wrong! Forgive me of sin! Show me Your will for this country and I will follow!” And give us the strength to always forgive them when they pass horrible laws that affect the unborn and homosexual marriages. I love You! Amen

No Words Are Necessary

“Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18b)

Beautiful Lord,

I am at Your humble mercies daily and I thank You for loving me! Lord, I pray today that people will see Jesus in me by how I conduct myself. I pray that my actions show them Jesus. I pray that as I go through my day that if it is possible I can help as many people as possible.

Lord, Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

” (Matthew 5:16) I do not want to put out this light in me! I want to let it shine bright today! So, Father, if it be Your will let me be a guide for You today, that others can be led to Jesus because Jesus lives in me. I love You! Amen

Conclusion

Whatever your situation is in life you can always use guidance daily from God. If you are in a leadership role of any sort, give your role to God and let Him show you how to guide others His way. God bless you as you live a life worthy of the calling!

Bible Verses About Guidance

Resources –  The Holy Bible, English Standard Version “Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. video “Lead Me to the Cross” performed by Francesca Battistelli.

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Источник: //www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/6-christian-prayers-for-guidance/