By Sarah Shrader
Guest columnist
Dear God,
I can’t believe it is that time already, but here we are – another school year is upon us. As I send my babies off outside of my reach and into the arms of the school world, I want to take a second to pray for the many adventures ahead.
Lord, please keep these kiddos safe all year round. Envelope them in your hands and protect them from any harm that may come their way. Place your armor all around them so that they may feel your presence and know that they are in a safe space to learn.
Father God, please be with them as they soak in the knowledge this year – open their minds to the possibility that subjects that they may have disliked in the past could be presented differently and be exciting to learn. Guide their thoughts during lessons so that they may stay focused throughout and help them to be able to apply it to their work on their own.
But please God, give them the courage and strength to ask for help if and when they need it. Help them to not be afraid to raise their hands and ask questions when they need more information and to remember that someone else probably needs the question answered just as much as they do – and that asking the question may just help someone else out.
And I pray, Lord, that my kids will willingly and happily step up to help out anyone who may need it – whether it is a teacher, faculty or staff member, or fellow student. Please help my kids to be conscious of those around them who may need a smile, a helping hand, a friend to sit with at lunch or just someone to ask them how they are. I pray my kids recognize when they can be a light to someone on a dark day and also are receivers of light from friends when they themselves are feeling down.
Some of my kids are in some hard years already and some are just approaching them. Mental health can be a struggle, God. And I am thankful that these kids have You to lean on when I cannot be there to remind them of their worth. I pray that they remember to come to you always – bringing any and everything to you – but especially on days when it feels like the weight of it all is a little too much. Please carry that weight for them, Lord, remove it so that they can freely move on positively throughout their day.
Lord, I pray for the teachers that my babies are blessed with this year. Through You, may they have the patience, guidance, knowledge and ability to pour into each individual child on the level that each child needs and deserves. Truly a calling from You and something I could never handle, these wonderful educators take on one of the most challenging jobs molding and impacting our youth day in and day out. Give them resiliency on hard days and help them to feel the fulfillment of their labor in the achievements and growth of the kiddos all throughout the year.
God, I ask that you put your hands on all those involved in every avenue of the school – from the secretaries, principals and bus drivers to the cafeteria workers, counselors, janitors and everyone in between. Help them to feel the value that they add to the lives of the children who walk the halls every day.
God, I ask that you watch over us parents. Every school year hits a little harder for me – knowing that it is one more year closer to my babies growing up. While I am so proud of the young individuals they are becoming and I love watching them grow and develop more and more over the years, I ache at the not so distant memory of them being so small and dependent on me.
Lord, give me the strength to smile as they age, being thankful for all the stages that we have gotten to experience together thus far and all the adventures ahead. Please help me to be the encourager, disciplinarian, prayer partner, homework helper, cheerleader and shoulder to lean on. And help me to know which of those hats to wear and when I need to wear it. Guide me, God, as I help guide them throughout the year.
Lastly Father, I pray that these kiddos feel the abundance of love – Yours, mine, their teachers and friends – surrounding them — not only in the excitement of the beginning of a new year but love that lasts the whole year through. May this year be one of their best years yet.
For all these things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sarah (Pitson) Shrader was born and raised in Lima. She is a Lima Central Catholic and Tiffin University graduate. Sarah is a full-time working mama who enjoys writing about her somewhat crazy, always adventurous life as a mother. She lives in Bath Township with her daughters and writing inspirations, Maylie and Reagan.
