Pray For Schools: Week 4 (+2 days) Recap

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 22 – Faith

But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. (Mark 4:17)

Pray that Christ-following students would become deeply rooted in their faith, and not only survive, but thrive in, their day to day lives.

#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

Pray For Our Schools: Day 23 – Civil Unrest, Escalating Racial Tension, Increased Violence⁠

And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? (Luke 18:7a)⁠
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)⁠
Ask God to raise up young healers, deliverers, reconcilers, and intercessors (lit. “those who stand in the gap”) in schools across our land.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

Pray for Our Schools: Day 24 – Ongoing Political Turmoil

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority. (1 Tim. 2:1-2)

The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes. (Daniel 4:25b)

Appeal to God for the emerging generations, that they would respect those in authority over them yet live as citizens of heaven who serve an eternal King.

#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

Pray for Our Schools Day 25 – Leaders of the Emerging Generations

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matt. 9:36)

Ask God to open the eyes of those who work with young people, so that they can see the lost, broken and wounded with the eyes of Jesus, and to be moved with His compassion to reach out.

#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

Pray for Our Schools: Day 26 – Primary Schools

And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. (Matt. 18:3-5)

Pray for mighty spiritual curiosity & spirit of discovery among the children of our schools.

#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

Pray for Our Schools: Day 27 – Secondary Schools

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. (2 Thess. 1:11)

Pray for the protection of students from temptation to live life in reckless self destruction and far from the life abundant Jesus is calling us toward.

#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

Pray for Our Schools: Day 28 A Generation of Intercessors

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer.
(Acts 1:14)

Ask God to stir the hearts of both students, and those who work with them, to pray as never before for an awakening among emerging generations of all students!

#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

Pray for Our Schools: Day 29 – The Emerging Generations

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mark 10:13-14)

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12)

Appeal to God for the healing, deliverance, and clarity of purpose for the emerging generations!

#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

Pray for Our Schools: Day 30 Lord’s Prayer

This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt. 6:9-10)

Pray that God’s Kingdom comes and His will is done on school campuses and among students!

#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 15 – Wisdom & Favor

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52)⁠
Pray for students to grow in wisdom and favor among their peers, teachers, and at their schools.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR #wisdom⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR OUR SCHOOLS: Day 16 – School Leadership: Teachers, Principals, Coaches, Administrators⁠

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Tim. 2:1-2)⁠
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Pray that Christians in leadership positions at schools would see afresh, and embrace anew, the strategic ministry God has given them. ⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

 PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 17 – Fear

Fear can create so many unhealthy reactions and responses. Pray for our students to be able to feel confident in knowing that God has never left us, and will be there to navigate the fearful world around us.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

 PRAY FOR OUR SCHOOLS: Day 18 – Seeing the Need⁠

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matt. 9:38)⁠
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Ask God to open the eyes of those who work with students, so that they can see the lost, broken, and wounded with the eyes of Jesus.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR OUR SCHOOLS: Day 19 – Spiritually Healthy Families⁠

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deut. 5:6-9)⁠
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Ask God to empwer parents committed to raising their children in Spiritually Healthy homes; pray for broken relationships to be healed.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

 PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 20 – Rejoice!

We made it through ANOTHER WEEK! Sometimes it’s the little things, like just making it to the sunrise of another day, that bring us joy! Don’t be shy – take some time today for rejoicing and pray for JOY to be prevalent every day!⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

 PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 21 – Colleges/Universities⁠

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. (2 Thess. 3:3)⁠
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Historically, revivals/awakenings have most always started among young people, and especially among collegians. Pray that God would ignite a fresh awakening among collegians – one that would spread across America, and the world, SHARING LOVE and peace and hope!⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 8 – Healing from Abuse & Dysfunction⁠⁠

You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. (Ps. 10:17-18)⁠
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Pray for healing of students wounded by abuse, and family dysfunction; pray for the reconciliation and restoration of damaged families.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 9 – Freedom from Addictions and Bondage⁠

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery . . . live by the Spirit… (Gal.5:1,16)⁠
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Ask God to break the yokes of slavery to addictions, immorality and pornography on students, empowering them by His Spirit to live in freedom and victory.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

 PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 10 – A Clear, Bold Testimony⁠

Pray for me also, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel . . . pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Eph. 6:19-20)⁠
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Pray for a lifestyle and words that reflect the love of Jesus in students at school and in all of their spaces.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 11 – Character like Jesus⁠

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12)⁠
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Ask God to show children, teens and young adults that character matters, no matter what the age.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

 PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 12 – Student-led Campus Clubs⁠

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Col. 4:2)⁠
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Ask God to work through student-led clubs on every school campus. Pray for the students who lead in clubs such as FCA, Young Life, etc.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

 PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 13 – Unity

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6)⁠
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Pray for a spirit of unity across all racial, ethnic, gender, and socio-economic barriers.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

 PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 14 – Removal of Blindness⁠

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Cor. 4:4)⁠
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Pray that the spiritual blindness generated by the enemy would be lifted so students might see Jesus as He really is, and clearly hear the good news of the gospel of the Kingdom.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 1 – Hope⁠

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him. (Lam. 3:21-25)⁠
Thank God that our hope for schools and students is not a “maybe” or a “perhaps”, but a certainty, based on His character and promises.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 2 – Confidence in Prayer

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15)⁠
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Thank God for the assurance of answered prayers as we pray His purposes into reality, that His Kingdom come and His will be done on Earth (in schools, among students, and in our families) as it is in heaven.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 3 – Light

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” ⁠Psalm 119:105⁠
So often we work hard to make plans and ask God to approve/bless them. Today, let’s go to Him in prayer for His plans, allowing His grace and love to guide the futures of our students and families.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 4 – Assurance

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Hab. 2:14)⁠
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Thank God for the assurance that His purposes will prevail, and He will reach the emerging generations, bringing them deliverance, healing, freedom, and fullness of Kingdom life.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 5 – Identity in Christ

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. (Eph. 1:3-4)⁠
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Ask God to show students who they are in the eyes of their Father – beloved, created with a purpose and destiny, objects of His continued affection and blessing.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 6 – Spiritual Growth & Maturity Among Students⁠

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. (Eph. 1:17)⁠
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Appeal to God for spiritual growth, joyfulness and fruitfulness among students of all ages.⁠
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

PRAY FOR SCHOOLS: Day 7 – Wise & Ethical Choices

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. (Phil. 1:9-10)
Ask God to empower students to stand strong and fight for their convictions, character and humanity.
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#PRAYFORSCHOOLS #HAVEAGREATYEAR ⁠
#faith #scripture #jesus #bibleverse #hope #godisgood #holyspirit #joy #PEACE

As I’m writing this, it honestly feels too late to save my summer sanity. My kids have eaten 10,000 calories before sunrise. We’ve visited every playground in our neighborhood twice. Our Netflix and Disney+ viewing records are impressively cringe.

And we have laughed, and played, and swam, and run, and and and ….

You know what we haven’t done? Rest.

We all need it. We all crave it. But for some unholy reason, the soundtrack of my motherhood says I’m not allowed to rest until everything and everyone is cared for. And to this day, I have never once completed the everything list before I turned off the last lamp for the night. It’s never all been done when my body finally quits at the end of the day. And magically, the world keeps spinning, and my family keeps thriving, despite not meeting my own unrealistic expectations of the day.

So why can’t I rest? Maybe you, like me, are struggling to rest because you’ve been running so long that you don’t remember how anymore. So let’s work on it together. I’m challenging myself to hold Sabbath – and model Sabbath for my kids – in the final weeks of summer in these three simple ways:

Taking a Break From Social Media

I know. Some days that you’re home with your kids, sending memes to your best friend three states away is your only adult interaction. And we need adult interaction. Those relationships are important to invest in and maintain. However, the vehicle we’re using – be it Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc – is also drowning us in messages that are harmful.

Here’s a mom who works night shifts, stays at home with 6 kids during the day, and still finds time to run 10 miles. When does she sleep, or eat, you wonder? Well, they’re not showing us that part. We’re not seeing the normal human side of influencers. We’re seeing polished perfection, and it’s making us feel less than.

We are not less than. We are amazing.

I’m certainly not suggesting taking all these apps off your phone completely. Memes are the primary form of communication for millennials, after all! But for the rest of the summer, I’m going to pick one day a week where I don’t look at Instagram, and I’ll be using the downtime and screen limits on my phone to help me hold Sabbath from social media.

Taking a Break From Cooking/Preparing Snacks

I have lots of questions about kids’ appetites. How do they survive the school day with only one snack? Their summer stomachs seem to need two before breakfast, seven before lunch, fourteen in the afternoon, absolutely no dinner, but at least 3 desserts. Make it make sense. How will they adjust to school meal schedules again?!

Here’s my only solution so far. I put a basket on the dining room table with non-perishable snacks that I don’t mind the kids eating at any time of day – things like apple sauce, popcorn, crackers, dried fruit, oranges, etc. The rule is that they can grab from that basket during the day without having to ask me.

So with snacks taken care of, I set out the cereal boxes, bowls and spoons the night before for breakfast, took an excursion to Chick Fil A for lunch to burn energy, and ordered a pizza for dinner.

It’s not much, but it’s one whole day where I don’t get asked when or what we’ll be eating, and I didn’t waste any more of my limited energy on the neverending meal time duties. Seriously, you have to feed them every single day. It’s exhausting.

Take a Break from Scheduled Activities

What activities are your kids involved in? I naively thought that without school drop offs and pickups, I’d get a bit of reprieve from the rat race. I was wrong.

There’s the camps. There’s the pool play dates and park meetups. There’s the skating lessons and sports physicals and dental appointments. Then the back to school shopping. Then the vacation packing, vacation unpacking, and so much laundry that I’m starting to wonder where all these clothes came from. Who bought these?!

I’m challenging myself to set aside one day every two weeks with absolutely nothing planned. Nothing on the schedule in advance, but also being diligent about letting that space breathe and not saying yes to last minute offers or requests because the space is available.

This is a day for nothing, because sometimes nothing can be everything.

So what do you think? Are you up for the challenge?

Additional sabbath resources in the buttons below

Invest In Your Joy One Seventh Find Breathing Room

Child dedication at Seneca Creek is a profound experience, where parents, grandparents and guardians are invited to commit to creating a childhood experience where every child is loved and nurtured with the love of family, community and Jesus. We want to partner with parents in a promise to help their children know that they are loved by God and filled with purpose and promise.

Our next dedication is set for Sunday, July 23rd in the 10am morning service. It will also be live-streamed so family and friends are invited to tune in from anywhere.

To find out more, simply click here or on the event website below.

As the warm and sunny days of summer approach, we cordially invite you and your delightful kids to join us for an unforgettable season of outdoor play and exploration at our local parks. There’s no better way to make the most of the summer than by gathering together, creating lifelong memories, and fostering a strong sense of community.⁠
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🌿🌼🍃 What: Summer Playtime at Local Parks⁠
📅 When: All summer long, starting the week of June 19 thru August 21⁠
📍 Where: Changes weekly – TEXT PLAY TO 301-900-2920 to get the updates!!⁠