I am a bit obsessed. 

This summer I have had the distinct pleasure of studying God’s word with a group of amazing teachers from all over. We have discussed what it means to dig into the word and what abiding in Christ looks like. I have been reminded of what prayer does to the life of a believer.

This is the time of year where I begin to have a battle of emotions waging within me. It is the battle of noooooo I don’t want summer to end and the battle of MUST.GET.ROOM.READY. Usually, the urge to get my classroom ready for the new school year wins out. Seriously, I am the teacher that likes to start early. Once the carpet and floors are cleaned, I am in my room.

Don’t hate.

This year, I do have a bit of an excuse. I am headed to a couple of conferences like Frog Street Splash. I won’t have time after the conference to get my room ready. At least that is what I am telling myself.

I can spend sleepless nights tossing and turning thinking about little projects that I want to complete for my classroom decor. Usually, it looks like this…

I feel this overwhelming urge to PREPARE. I can’t shake it. It controls my thoughts. I rearrange the layout of my classroom in my head over and over. It is a disease. It causes us to do things like pull out full cabinets and completely reorganize with new tubs we found at the Dollar Tree. I know I am not alone. Admit it. You do it too.

Maybe you are not like me and my friend from the above picture and you don’t obsess over such things. Friends, there is something that we should obsess over when preparing for our new school year. Prayer. Prayer is the ULTIMATE classroom preparation. I have compiled a list of things to pray for as you prepare your room and your heart for next school year.

Pray for Students

Pray for all of the needs. Physical and academic needs.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Pray for encouraging relationships.

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

Pray for self-control.

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness,  godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7

Pray for perseverance.

“Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.” Psalm 37:24

Pray for courage.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Pray for generosity.

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Pray for Parents

Pray for encouraging relationships with parents.

“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

Pray for parents needs.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Pray for Co-Workers

Pray for encouraging relationships with co-workers.

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

Pray for perseverance.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Pray for strength.

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Pray for contentment.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Philippians 4:11

Pray for compassion.

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” 1 Peter 3:8

Pray for Administration

Pray for wisdom.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” Proverbs 2:6

Pray for Christ-like leadership.

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5

Pray for compassion.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14

Pray for our Hearts

Pray for a passion for God.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5

Pray for a generous heart.

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Pray for contentment.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Philippians 4:11

Pray for strength.

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Pray for wisdom.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

Pray for compassion.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

Pray for a loving heart.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35