a back to school prayer

FOR ADULTS INVOLVED IN THE EDUCATION PROCESS

Heavenly Father, we come before you, our Creator, our Sustainer and our Redeemer. We lift these men and women before you and ask that you bless their efforts in the coming school year.

Lord, please remind them that:

·         Children are a reward from the Lord to their parents, thus they are of great value (Ps 127:3).

·         Jesus Himself said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

·         Whatever responsibilities they have, that they work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. It is the Lord Christ they are serving (Col 3:23).

Heavenly Father, please empower these men and women to do all that they can do to be a blessing to the children in their schools. Fill them with your Holy Spirit and give them wisdom, patience, perseverance and an uncommon love. May they be the epitome of a godly influence at all times, in all ways, and in all circumstances.

Now to Him who can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory, in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

FOR CHILDREN (AND ADULTS) GOING TO SCHOOL

Heavenly Father, we come before you yet again, this time with those who are returning to school with the goal of learning as much as they can.

Lord…

·         May they remember that you knitted them together in their mother’s womb (Ps 139:13). May the knowledge that you created them remind them of how special, unique and loved they are.

·         May they remember that you will never leave them or forsake them (Heb 13:5). May that promise fill them with confidence and assurance for the coming year.

·         May they remember that if they go up to the heavens, you are there. If they make their beds in the depths, you are there. If they rise on the wings of the dawn, if they settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide them and your right hand will hold them fast (Ps 139:8-10). May your promise to guide them and lead them be of great comfort.

·         May they remember that it’s important to learn as much as they can, and to graduate.

·         May they remember that what happens at school is preparing them to be responsible men and women.

Heavenly Father, please empower these children (and adults) to be eager to learn—may they be like sponges, soaking up information that will help them in adulthood. May they be attentive and good listeners, and may they be respectful and appreciative of those who are teaching them.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen (Rev 1:5-6).

immigration: one christian's response

1.       I believe immigration is a very complex and divisive topic.

2.       I believe the Bible does not have a passage that lays out the details of an immigration policy for the United States here in the 21^st century.

3.       I believe all human beings—including immigrants, both legal and illegal—are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27).

4.       I believe we should love our neighbor as ourselves, and that includes immigrants (Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:29-27 and Leviticus 19:33).

5.       I believe racism is repulsive and a sin (Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:29-27 and Leviticus 19:33).

6.       I believe we in the United States need to remember that we’re all immigrants or descendants of immigrants.

7.       I believe immigrants need to hear the Gospel like anyone else (Matthew 28:19-20).

8.       I believe government and the Church of Jesus Christ have different callings and purposes and we should be careful not to get them confused (Romans 13:1-7, Mark 12:28-31).

9.       I believe most illegal immigrants are here to better themselves and their families, not to hurt the United States.

10.   I believe migrating to another country is a privilege, not a right.

11.   I believe countries have the right to place restrictions on and limit immigration, especially in the interest of national security (Romans 13:1-7).

12.   I believe laws are made to be obeyed and those who break the law should be punished—illegal immigrants are not being punished as required by law (Romans 13:1-7).

13.   I believe countries have the right to secure their borders--It is their duty to protect the safety of their own citizens (Romans 13:1-7).

14.   I believe it is virtually impossible to prevent all illegal immigrants from crossing the border and to make those who have overstayed their visas return to their countries of origin.

15.   I believe “rewarding” illegal behavior with no negative consequences will spur more illegal behavior in the future.

16.   I believe deporting or punishing all illegal immigrants (an estimated 11 million people) is an impossible task, not to mention an expensive and messy one.

17.   I believe children of illegal immigrants, while undocumented, should not have to pay for the unlawful behavior of their parents (Ezekiel 18:19-20).

18.   I believe separating parents from their children should be avoided whenever possible in the name of mercy (Luke 6:36).

19.   I believe the United States needs to reform its immigration policy in an effort to protect the best interests of the country, especially in the areas of sovereignty and security. Secondarily, this policy should be fair, merciful and enforceable.

20.   I believe we should strongly encourage and motivate immigrants to learn English, but making it the country’s official language is unnecessary and without precedent.

a prayer for rain

Father, you know all things and you know that our region, our state and our city is facing a serious drought. Without rain our supply of drinking water is dangerously low; our crops, plants, flowers and trees are slowly dying; and there is a constant threat of fires.

If we have brought this drought upon ourselves because of sin we humbly ask for your forgiveness.  We repent in sackcloth and ashes and hereby make a commitment to be faithful to you, the King of Kings, to you, the Lord of Lords. May the gracious and forgiving God of all things cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Kings 8:35-36).

In the powerful and wonderful name of Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

• We ask that you, in your mercy, open the storehouse of your bounty and send us much-needed rain (Deut 28:12).
• We ask that you, in your mercy, bestow rain on the earth and send water upon the countryside (Job 5:10).
• We ask that you, in your mercy, say to the rain, “Be a mighty downpour” (Job 37:6).
• We ask that you, in your mercy, cut a channel for the torrents of rain and a path for the thunderstorm (Job 38:25).
• We ask that you, in your mercy, send rain from heaven so that it will water the earth and the land bud and flourish (Isaiah 55:10).
• We ask that you, in your mercy, give us abundant showers to refresh us (Ps 68:8).

Amen and amen. Let it be.