Morning Prayer for School Teachers

When Jesus was sent by God the Father to walk among men, He healed the sick and made the blind see and the crippled walk. But above all these, the greatest miracle He performed and still continues to perform is the transformation of lives through the power of the Word of God. It was by preaching the Word that Jesus became the greatest teacher of all time. He was called Teacher, Master, and Rabbi. Before He ascended into heaven, He commanded His disciples to continue preaching the good news [Mark 16:15].

From generation to generation, in church or school settings, teachers have played a significant role in transforming and molding the lives of individuals. It is through these teachers that the children and the youth acquire wisdom and understanding, which are far more valuable than material possessions [Proverbs 16:16]. Through teachers, they become disciplined, responsible citizens. Teachers help shape the futures of children and raise leaders who in turn shape the future of a nation.

Recognizing the important role that teachers play, we need to pray hard for them every single day. Let us look more closely at this truth and see how we need to pray for all these teachers.

How do you pray for a teacher?

Here are some of the things we can pray for teachers to receive:

●      Understanding and Appreciation of Their Role

Teaching is not just a job that allows you to earn a living. It is a calling. It is a noble profession. Many teachers do not realize that to a great extent, they are instrumental in molding the character of the children and youth. They even spend more time with their students than the parents do. Understanding this role will enable teachers to do their best to help their students learn while motivating them to become successful in life.

Here is a sample prayer for teachers to appreciate their role:

Heavenly Father, I thank You that through the example of Your Son Jesus, our teachers are able to see how much they can influence others to live responsibly by teaching them the right values and helping them to rise above any weakness that hinders their growth and maturity. May You give these teachers a genuine concern for their students so that they may effectively impart the knowledge and skills needed to move up to greater heights in their lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

●      Versatility to Handle Distinct Traits of Students

Teachers face various kinds of students—polite and impolite, behaved and misbehaved, introverts and extroverts, fast and slow-learners. They come from different backgrounds. Each student is unique. Teachers should therefore be able to deal with their students according to their personalities while maintaining fairness and impartiality.

Here is how we can pray for this need:

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us not to discriminate but rather accept and love one another regardless of backgrounds and status in life because we are all one [Galatians 3:28]. Students may differ from each other, but may You help their teachers to deal with these differences and treat each one as special, just as we are all special in Your sight. In Jesus’ name, amen.

●      Creativity

A teacher has to make learning an interesting and enjoyable experience for students. He needs to make every effort to impart knowledge effectively and develop potential in a manner that will keep them focused. This way, they will learn more and retain whatever they have learned long after they have finished schooling.

Here is a sample prayer for creativity for teachers:

Dear Lord, thank You that for every task You give us, You also provide the tools, knowledge, and skills that enable us to do it. Lord, help our teachers to employ creative and innovative ways to encourage students to participate in discussions and problem-solving activities with enthusiasm and a desire to learn. May You keep them abreast of technology so that they can connect with their students and foster more effective communication with them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

●      Patience and a Sound Mind 

Teaching requires undivided attention while interacting with students. Teachers may be distracted by students’ attitudes and even by their own personal challenges. Therefore, they need patience and a sound mind to handle such distractions. Otherwise, they will be prone to errors in the things they teach and may lose the energy and cheerful disposition that students want from their teachers.

Here is a sample prayer for patience:

Oh Lord our God, we know that teaching is not an easy task. Staying focused in their job may be difficult for teachers when they encounter students with attitude issues or when they get disturbed with thoughts concerning their personal lives. Lord, help them deal with these distractions. Remind them that they can cast their cares on You [1 Peter 5:7] as they do the task that You have called them to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

●      Humility

The Bible teaches us to be humble at all times [Romans 11:18]. While teachers have earned for themselves the proper education and training to assume their role as mentors, they should also be able to create a healthy environment in which students can exercise creative thinking and share their ideas. And as human beings, teachers can also make mistakes. When they do, they should be quick to admit them and allow themselves to be corrected.

Here is a sample prayer for humility:

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that our Lord Jesus perfectly exemplified humility [Philippians 2:5-8], and we are called to follow His example. We pray that even teachers can be humble so that despite having more knowledge, they are able to encourage students to be confident in themselves and speak out their thoughts. Help them so that their students will see in them the good example of humility that Christ demonstrated for all of us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

●      Physical Health and Strength

Being a teacher does not start and end when the school bell rings. It entails hours of preparation before coming to class and post-classroom work, such as checking test papers and evaluating individual student performance. This task, on top of their role as a father or mother in their own homes, can drain their energy and affect their performance in the classroom. We need to pray for them that God may grant them good health and strength in order to assume their tough responsibilities.

Here is how we can pray for them:

O Lord of all creation, thank You that You made us in Your own likeness. You know us and our bodies more than anyone does. When we are weak, You are strong for us. Father, we pray that this knowledge will make our teachers turn to You for strength in times when the responsibilities they carry become so great. Grant them good health so that they may continue serving You, knowing that whatever they do for the children You have entrusted to them, they do it unto You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

●      Financial Provision

We say that teaching is a noble profession. Yet, it is one of the lowest-paying jobs. It is underrated and therefore not a lucrative career. One must have compassion for the younger generation to choose to be a school teacher. But teachers, too, have children to send to school. They have mouths to feed and bills to pay. Let us therefore pray that God will sustain them and their families, that He may give them financial provision to meet their own needs.

Here is how we can pray for them:

Father in heaven, thank You that despite lack of financial rewards for their hard work, our teachers find fulfillment in their chosen career. Thank You that You are our Provider and You see every single need of our teachers. May You help them experience Your abundant blessings as they serve You by serving Your children. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Conclusion

Aside from a strong spiritual foundation and good moral values, education is the best legacy that parents can give to their children. When we speak of education, we speak of teachers, the academic and technical knowledge they pass on, and the abilities and the character they build among these children. So, our children’s future depends largely on how well their teachers do their job. Teachers need our prayers, for apart from God, they cannot carry out this tough responsibility of equipping the next generation to live productive lives and face a more promising future [John 15:5].