A Prayer for Teachers
A new school year has begun! We have several educators in our family, and I have great appreciation for teachers. Their influence is considerable. I hope you’ll read more today as I reminisce a bit and share a prayer I wrote for teachers.
Country School House in North-central Montana (further explanation at end of post)
As I’ve thought about this new school year, I’ve been praying often for our grandkids who will be entering 4th grade and freshman year of high school as well as our granddaughter who teaches middle school in California, our son-in-law who teaches 5th grade and daughter who works as an elementary ed math coach and interventionist.
Lately, I’ve had a couple recurring thoughts about educational experiences. The first was from my mother who grew up in bleak post-depression era conditions. Because of extreme poverty and lack of encouragement, her school years weren’t always pleasant.
Mom, however, often told me about an influential teacher who made a difference in her life. I can envision this 7th grade English instructor because her description was always the same. Mr. Lawson had a shock of unruly red hair and his lanky 6’5” frame was always garbed in a gray suit. One day, while returning the graded copies of a story students had written, Mr. Lawson paused at my mother’s desk as she read her grade and the comment written on her assignment, “A -- Olivia, you write very well.” The last time my mother told me that story, she was well into her 90’s!
The next story is my own and one I hadn’t thought about in years. I don’t remember the name of my English teacher, but I do recall she was an attractive, impeccably dressed middle-aged lady. Our writing assignment was to rewrite the story of “The Three Little Pigs” in one of several dialects. I chose the vernacular of The King James version of the Bible.
I worked hours perfecting “thee’s” and “thous!” I recall giggling as I wrote the Big Bad Wolf’s warning, “I wilt huff and I wilt puff, and I wilt blow thine house down!” Even as a young teenager, I liked crafting words into something unique, and I cherished the melody and rhythm of Scripture. I recall re-writing that assignment in my very finest penmanship because I wanted it “just right.”
As I recall these two stories, I am reminded once again of the lasting influence of teachers and the vital importance of education.
Please join me in this prayer for teachers:
Lord,
Thank you for teachers!
Men and women who serve as public, private, and home school educators.
Grant a sense of humor that turns tense interactions into joyous connections.
When teachers feel discouraged, fill them with transcendent peace.
If on the brink of “losing it,” strengthen them with Divine patience.
Replace cynicism and any spirit of harshness with kindness.
Enable them to see goodness in what they are doing, in whom they are teaching.
Remind them often of the power of faithfulness—simply showing up.
When tempted to yell or be sarcastic, give them measured, gentle words.
As teachers encounter inevitable misunderstandings, professional politics, stressed parents, and misbehaving students who underneath are hurting, empower them with wisdom and self-control.
Above all, Lord, give each educator strength and resolve to LOVE well and never lose sight of the high calling to teach!
Amen
Our two youngest grandkids head off for their freshman year in high school and the fourth grade! Oh, my, how time doth fly!
About the photo at the beginning of today’s post: My friend, Jerry McGillviary, provided this photo of a one-room country schoolhouse, built in the late 1800’s and located south of Chinook, Montana in the Bear Paw Mountains. Jerry’s mom attended a similar school, and she told him it was closed during the winter because severe weather made it too difficult to get there. Instead, students attended during the summertime. Thanks Jerry, for this photo and history! Homesteaders were a hearty bunch of folks!
To all teachers, students, and parents, blessings as you journey through the 2025-26 school year!
