Hospitality Hints is a monthly feature on our blog with some helpful tips for being hospitable in everyday life. Our hints may involve inviting people over, but not always! Most of the time, they will be about having a posture of hospitality—welcoming others into our lives.
As summer vacation winds down and the school year heads back into session, students and teachers alike begin a new year full of change, growth, and potential anxiety that comes with the unknown. Starting a new year can be both exciting and unnerving, but showing hospitality through prayer can alleviate some of that worry. We’ve come up with a few ideas on how to pray for our students and teachers this month as they each begin a new chapter in school.
- Pray for energy and enthusiasm: Though each year starts off with a packed calendar, exciting opportunities, and plans, students and teachers both experience waning energy as the year settles into a routine and highs and lows occur. Pray that each can find positives in the midst of an average Monday and that enthusiasm keeps learning sharp and exciting.
- Pray for opportunities to lead others to Christ: Whether at a Christian school or public, teachers and students may be given opportunities to show the love of Christ to someone in need. Pray that God speaks through their words and actions, and that this year may be an opportunity to show someone how much Christ loves them, no matter their background or situation.
- Pray for understanding and peace in times of stress: When the newness of the year settles in, both children and adults may face various stresses in the classroom. Difficult subjects, challenging relationships, and demanding schedules may leave both parties feeling overworked and underappreciated. Take time to pray that both students and teachers feel God’s peace in times of uncertainty and understand that everything is part of His plan. When the going gets tough, write a note or spend time with them to offer a listening ear.
- Pray for a strong moral compass: School grounds present unique challenges, and sometimes students and teachers are faced with the pressure to bend a rule or go against God’s teaching. Cheating on a test, gossiping about others, or bullying have the potential to distract a student or teacher from following God’s will, but it also presents a special opportunity to set a Christlike example for others. Pray that those you know in school keep their hearts focused on God and give them the strength to stand up for Him when necessary.
- Pray for financial peace: Every year as August rolls around, students and teachers may face financial stress. Clothes and backpacks, school supplies, classroom tools, and student fees may leave bank accounts and positivity feeling low. As the school year begins, think about ways to bless those in need. Donation bins, gift cards, and school supply drives are great ways to get involved in your community. Take time to pray for students and teachers to feel financial peace even when resources wane.
- Pray for protection: Though we hope to send our kids and loved ones into the safest learning environments possible, it is impossible for us to protect their bodies, minds, and hearts every hour of the day. Take a moment to pray for students’ and teachers’ protection, that they may learn and grow in the safety of God’s hands.
- Pray for students and teachers to hear God’s calling: Each new school year presents a chance to learn something new, both in the classroom and outside of it. Pray for students and teachers to be open to learning and receiving what God has called them to this year.
This list is certainly not everything we could pray for our students and teachers, but it starts the year off on the right foot. Though we can bless people we love in many different ways, this list reminds us that praying for our loved ones is just as important as providing tangible resources for them. We want to pray for others and with them as well, so don’t hesitate to use physical prayer such as a handwritten note or over a cup of coffee to encourage them in this new school year.
Savannah Summers is the summer Editorial Intern at Lifeway. From Knoxville, Tennessee, she is a senior at Lipscomb University studying Communications and English. After school Savannah hopes to continue living in Nashville, and she dreams of pursuing an editorial career and becoming a writer. She loves traveling, telling stories, and breakfast food!
