See You In Prayer (Not At the Pole)

Happy weekend!

This week was supposed to be when we had See You at the Pole, but due to COVID-19, we couldn’t participate in it, at least not in the usual way. Instead of praying in front of the school at the flagpole, I decided to pray at home for my school, and schools in general.

It was unusual, to be at home doing this, and to be doing it alone. There’s something beautiful about getting to gather up as Christians to pray together in a place where it’s hard to be able to live out your beliefs; it’s amazing to see that there are others in your school who have a relationship with Jesus.

Each day this week I prayed about a different topic, taking a few minutes to myself praying about the important parts of the school system that needed to be prayed for.

Monday:

On Monday I took a few minutes to pray about God coming into the schools. The need of God in our schools is huge.

God has been pushed out of schools more and more. When religion is brought up in class, we become uncomfortable, because it’s a topic that we aren’t supposed to be able to discuss in class. This has become such a norm that it’s hard to talk about religion without feeling guilty, which isn’t how we should feel; but I feel it and I know others do too.

We need to stop shying away from religion, especially in schools. We aren’t going against God when we talk about our faith at schools, so we need to stop feeling that guilt.

Tuesday:

On Tuesday I focused on parents. Parents are a major part of our education, from getting us up and ready to go, to helping us with homework.

We often underappreciate parents when it comes to school. We forget that they help us through a lot of school. They’re the reason why we’re on time to school and they do so many things that help us that we never even realize.

Even if your parents aren’t helping you with school right now, doesn’t mean they weren’t a huge help when you were younger, and that needs to be appreciated. Also, amidst COVID-19, they have become a major reason why children are still getting an education.

Wednesday:

On Wednesday I focused on students. Afterall, what would school be without students?

With this wacky year, students need more help and prayer than ever. Even the best students are falling off the wagon, and giving up on their education with how hard it is to force ourselves to work.

We as students have so much stress from school, but this year seems to have made it worse. We can’t do it all, and that’s okay.

Thursday:

On Thursday I focused on staff. Staff members are just as important as students.

Staff often get worn down with all the annoyed students. Even with staff appreciation weeks, it’s hard to celebrate them as much as they deserve. Staff members are often the reason why students grow as people, and right now it’s hard for them to succeed at their job with the forced distancing.

The staff members aren’t just the fabulous teachers, but also those from the janitor to the principal. It’s hard to believe how many of them there are, until we remember just how complex their job is.

Friday:

On Friday I focused on education in general. We all need to be educated.

Education isn’t just about school, but it’s something we are constantly doing. Education is one of the most wonderful things, but we often forget that there’s nowhere in our lives that it’s supposed to stop.

Let’s continue to learn and live as God wants us to.

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Prayer:

Lord, I know that this year has been weird, but we still are getting an education and I'm grateful for that, even though it's not necessarily the education I want. Thank You for all the students and staff that make up schools across the world. Thank You for parents who help make up education, especially those who have the patience and ability to homeschool. Thank You for the work that is being put into schools on a daily basis, in order for them to run as smooth as they can right now.

Lord, I pray that You would come into the schools. Lord, please give students and staff strength this week and for the rest of the school year. Lord, please allow schools to be able to operate better and better as the school year goes on. Lord, please help us to not be too upset or frustrated, but also help us to grieve what we are losing.

Lord, thank You for all You do. In Your name, Amen.