Will COVID-19, a potential joy thief, rob families and educators of joy in 2020? Which safeguards are trustworthy? Do we have a responsibility in the current school year dilemma? Yes, I believe we do.
Let’s join together in prayer for each student and educator facing a year of uncertainty.
But first, let’s recall happy back-to-school days.
Do memories of a new school year make you smile? Do you recall the smell of new crayons and the joy of seeing friends again? Remembering my own school days and those of my children spark joy.
From the moment our son played on the playground and noticed the bright yellow doors, he was ready to start school. Chocolate brown eyes danced with excitement as he entered Mrs. Tippett’s kindergarten class.
Memories of his first second-grade homework assignment make me laugh. Not understanding that his teacher meant essay, he wrote a summary of his summer activities and titled the paper “My S. A.” (I didn’t say a word knowing it would give his teacher a smile.)
Our daughter, never one for the ordinary, chose either sparkly silver pencils or those with a Strawberry Shortcake motif for her school debut. Ponytail bouncing, she skipped in daily with enthusiasm as she chatted with friends.
My favorite school memory of her was the day she insisted on “taking” her brother for Show-and-Tell! (He obliged her.)
Will the happy back-to-school memory bank be filled this year? At the beginning of this 2020-2021 school year, we see more questions than answers:
- Online school or in-person?
- Can kindergarteners understand social distancing?
- Will teachers get sick?
- How will working parents manage?
- What extracurricular activities?
We hear more doubt than certainty. We suspect more fear than joy will capture us. We wonder how effective online education will be.
Yes, this school year will be challenging at best, but I believe each of us can contribute to effective education for all children and joy in learning How?
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
As a retired teacher, I remember the energy required for reopening school. Long hours. Little sleep. New requirements. Diverse needs. It’s hard, folks. A blessing—but HARD. Educators and families need God’s blessings.
Here’s a suggested prayer guide. Please add your own requests.
A Prayer Guide for the 2020-2021 School Year
Pray as you ride by public and private schools and as you see school buses and children in your neighborhood.
Lift up home school students and parents.
Pray for wisdom for board members and advisors.
Ask God to equip educators with stamina, health, joy, and insight into students’ needs.
Pray for students and parents who are fearful as you pray for academic achievement. Pray for joy.
Pray for students with disabilities and for those learning English as a second language.
Here are groups of people to lift in prayer:
- students and families
- teachers, including new teachers
- paraprofessionals
- counselors
- clerical staff
- bus drivers
- custodians
- administrators
- substitute teachers
- board members
Without setting foot in a school, we can impact student learning and our community through prayer. Did the start of a new school year bring you joy?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Image from Pixabay
Here are ideas for gifts, acts of kindness, and volunteer activities to encourage teachers you know or those you could meet at a neighborhood school:
