Praying for our schools

As part of my work in the Pray for Schools network I am sharing a passage from the Bible and a prayer from a resource that has been created to support us all to pray for our schools.

Today we pray for the school curriculum, especially for the teaching of Relationships and Sex Education (known as RSE).

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable,

and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.”

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

Let us pray…

Loving God, please help teachers as they undertake the task of teaching RSE in primary and secondary schools. May their lessons be appropriately informative and unbiased.

Amen

(photo courtesy of Isabella and Louisa Fischer at Unsplash)

Praying for plans and policies in education

Since 2016, I have privileged to work as part of the Pray for Schools network and support the work they do with schools and churches across the UK.

The Pray for Schools team, partners and friends have a real heart for prayer and for showing God’s love through prayer and caring for our schools…. so join with us as we Pray for Schools, at the start of the new year…

They have developed a wonderful prayer resource to help us all to be guided through the support of verses from the Holy Scriptures, to pray for the needs of our schools.

Over the next few days, I will be sharing one of these prayers, so we can pray them together.

Today we pray for education plans and policies inspired by verses from the New Testament.

‘Pray especially for ... governments to rule well so

we can be quietly about our business of living simply.’

1 Timothy 2:2,3 (Message)

Let us pray…

Lord, please grant wise discernment to those nationally and locally who make far-reaching decisions, and provide funding, guidance and support to schools across the UK.

Amen

Praying for administrative and support staff in our schools

A couple of years ago I worked as an exam invigilator. It was an unusual role in many ways as it required me to be on my feet for hours on end, looking vigilant, maintaining a professional air, yet still looking calm and caring!

Being part of the team of administrators and support staff in that school during the exam period was certainly an interesting and thought provoking time. Often when we think of schools, we think solely about the children and teachers, but I know from my work as part of the exams’ team that administrators and support staff, along with the teachers and many other staff, play a vital role in keeping the school functioning well, and supporting the children. (Sara Iles, FCG)

The Pray for Schools team, partners and friends have a real heart for prayer and for showing God’s love through prayer and caring for our schools…. so join with us as we Pray for Schools, at the start of the new year…

They have developed a wonderful prayer resource to help us all to be guided through the support of verses from the Holy Scriptures, to pray for the needs of our schools.

Over the next few days, I will be sharing one of these prayers, so we can pray them together.

‘Do you have the gift of helping others?

Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.’

1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)

Let us pray… God our helper, please bless and unite all those whose expertise and enthusiasm contribute so much to the smooth running of our schools. Amen

FCG is part of the Pray for Schools steering group and values the work we do alongside them all.

Dates for your diary

Education Sunday 13th September

UK wide Day of Prayer for Schools 24th September

Pray Day for Schools 17th November

(photo courtesy of David Pennington at Unsplash)

Praying the potential of our school children...

It is the start of a new school year and we find ourselves in extraordinary times.

So much has changed in recent months and every man, woman, child and teenager has been deeply affected by global events since last winter. We can all find ourselves in a challenging position of being unsure of how we might reach our true potential. Children and young people’s confidence and self-esteem may have been particularly compromised lately.

We are invited by Pray for Schools, with whom FCG and others are diligent and prayerful partners, to pray for our schools for pupils fulfilling their potential.

Let us pray:

‘May He grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.’

Psalm 20:4 (NLT)

Father, please help children to benefit from all aspects of school life: the environment and ethos, academic learning, music, arts, sport and provision for spiritual and emotional well-being.

Amen

(photo below from PFS website and cover photo courtesy of Joshua Eckstein at Unsplash)

Making plans for Education Sunday? Let us help you out

For well over one hundred years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales. It is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education.

This year it will take place on 13th September - next Sunday!

Whether you have a service and activities in mind for marking this on the day itself or wish to use the materials and resources later in the year, they are all available to download and share HERE.

 "A learning people in a time of change".

This year Education Sunday takes place at a time when many children, young people and staff have been away from schools, colleges and universities and have been working in different ways. Churches, too, have had to learn and adapt, whilst still maintaining a pattern of worship. This is a time to think about what we have learnt about ourselves, about our communities and about God.

Find out more and join in the day of prayer and celebration in your church, home and groups…

(photo courtesy of Max Saeling at Unsplash)