Parachute Prayer #5--Once Again!

By this time of year, I'm pretty sure that most, if not all, of America's children have gone back to school. Some are starting week two or three, others week six or seven. In any case, September seems like the perfect time to remind ourselves to keep them in our prayers--daily! (I originally published this post on October 11, 2008.)

I have quite a burden for our schools and the precious people who inhabit them almost daily. Don’t even get me started down that wild path of thought. Instead of travelling that direction, let’s let the road sign provide this week’s parachute prayer—literally!

I like to get started pretty early most mornings. If I have errands to run, I’m bound to go through several school zones, pass a few school busses, and even stop to wait while those busses pick up children beginning their day. If you are an afternoon person, you’ll see and do the same as the routes run in reverse. Let’s use these sights and actions as a call to prayer. When we see the bright yellow school zone signs or busses and begin to slow or stop, we can let them remind us to pray for the students, teachers, administrators, parents—even for government officials or groups that work together on our children’s behalf.

The system might not be perfect, but it is impacting the next generation in a significant way. Therefore, we must pray—for the system and for those who function within it. I know some amazing teachers! I’m even related to more than a few! They care about kids, want to make a difference in their lives, and are helping to set them on the path to a productive and fulfilling future. They deserve our prayers as they strive to do this. Let’s thank God for teachers like these—and ask Him to send more!

I also know some amazing kids—and just happen to be related to more than a few of those, too! In some cases, I can only imagine the challenges they face; so let’s pray for the kids as well. They need all the strength and encouragement and wisdom they can get.

I’ve listed quite a bit to pray for during the 30 seconds or so it takes to drive through a school zone or wait for a bus, but that’s the beauty of a parachute prayer. When we see signs of schools, we’ll pray for whichever of these God brings to mind at the time. Together, with His help, we’ll cover it all. When we see signs of schools, let’s pray.