Forty Days of Prayer for Education: Day 38

Section 7: Praise Him In Advance

Join with us today and pray our prepared prayer on pages 69 and 70 from the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EDUCATION free eBook or pray independently from our focus scripture, Psalm 103: 1-2 NKJV and enjoy the accompanying song entitled, "Keep On Making a Way" by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

By this time many of us know the name of the students and schools we will be connected to this year.  What do you want to thank God for before you even see it come to pass?  What are you believing God to do to manifest His glory in these students and in these schools?  Search for scripture that praises Him and wait expectantly in 1) working faith, 2) fervent prayer 3) positive attitude and speech and 4) continual praise! 

COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

Psalm 103: 1-2

Dear Heavenly Father who always satisfies us in the morning with Your unfailing love,

We delight ourselves in You. We thank You for giving us the desires of our heart. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for being the continual fresh oil upon our lives. Thank You for leading and guiding us into the truth of our Kingdom assignment as set forth in Your word.

It is because of Your grace and not of our works that You choose to bless us and be merciful to us. Thank You for Your great love. As we, Your educators of this nation, walk in bold, immediate obedience of our calling to those around us, we thank You for the blessings Your Word has assigned to us.

Thank You Lord for rebuilding the original foundations of education in this country; lessons, curriculum, integrity and values based on the Word of God.

Thank You for providing us with the wisdom and resources to rebuild the broken structures of our school buildings.

Thank You that as we teach our students about values and we live a life of holiness before them, You will raise up our students to be men and women of God who will renew Your design of the family unit which has been devastated in this country for generations.

Thank You for the blessing of unhindered opportunities to share the message of Your eternal love with others in this profession.

Thank You for blessing us with riches and double portions of raises, promotions, increased benefits and resources for ourselves and our schools.

Thank You for Your everlasting love, faithfulness, mercy and grace.

There is no one who loves us more than You. We, Your educators say, "Thank You and we love You too".

In Jesus' name,

-Amen

Forty Days of Prayer for Education: Day 25

Section 4: You Have Power

Join with us today and pray our prepared prayer on pages 43-44 from the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EDUCATION free eBook or pray independently from our focus scripture, Luke 1: 37 NLT and Isaiah 40:10 NIV and enjoy the accompanying song entitled, "God Still Heals" by DeWayne Woods.

Acts 27:25 says, "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me".  As you continue in your own personal time of prayer, ask God to reveal to you how you are to specifically pray for those students with diagnosis, disorders and disabilities that He places in your sphere of influence this school year.

HEAL THEIR BRAINS

For the word of God will never fail. Luke 1: 37 _NLT

For with God, nothing will be impossible.  Luke 1:37 _NKJV

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

Isaiah 40: 10 _NIV

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for fearfully and wonderfully creating each and everyone of us. Thank You that within us all there is a gift which will benefit Your Kingdom. We are all uniquely designed to give You glory one way or another. You are the Potter and we are clay. May we appreciate each piece You have crafted.

Today Lord, we lift us those wonderfully crafted vessels that are chipped and broken in the sight of the world. We lift up all students who are struggling with learning. So many of Your children are frustrated and hopeless because they cannot comprehend or retain the information they are given.

Your word says that if we cry aloud for understanding and insight we can discover Your knowledge. Your word also says that if we lack wisdom we should ask You for wisdom in faith believing that we will receive it from You.

Father we need Your help. We need wisdom to be able to teach every child to their fullest potential. We need understanding in how to sustain in our students the curiosity for learning new things that they were naturally born with. Teach through us, Holy Spirit, to activate each major part of the brain in our students.

With You God, all things are possible. Therefore, we ask for healing and divine restoration for every area of inactivity and damage in our students' brains. Activate, fully connect, and increase development in the brains of each and every child You have given us charge to teach. 

We speak the healing Blood of Jesus to cover our students’ minds and ultimately their souls.

In Jesus' name,

-Amen

Forty Days of Prayer for Education: Day 21

Section 4: You Have Power

Join with us today and pray our prepared prayer on page 39 from the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EDUCATION free eBook or pray independently from our focus scripture, Hebrews 11: 1 AMP and enjoy the accompanying song entitled, "Atmosphere of Faith" by Kevin Levar.

As you continue in prayer, let the Holy Spirit lead you to scripture concerning the power of God that has been released to you through His blood, His word and His name. Write these scriptures down and commit them to memory. As you face trials and obstacles this year, recall His Word to mind and rest assured that our God is faithful and is mighty to save and deliver. 

NOW FAITH...

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

Hebrews 11: 1 AMP

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we come before You thanking You for Your sovereignty. Just knowing that You are omnipotent, all wise, and all knowing is truly a comfort.

Your word says that anyone who has faith in You will do

what You did when You walked this earth. You said that

we would do even greater things than those because of Your

ascent back into heaven to take Your rightful place as King.

It is our prayer today that You strengthen our faith in You.

For You are the One who gives us the power to identify the

hurt, sick, broken, and dying in our classrooms and schools.

It is our prayer today that You help us to believe and not doubt that You have given us power to administer and declare healing to those very same people. May those who believe in You truly understand the transference of power that You provided and may we take the leap of faith to perform those works.

No matter where You lead us, may we believe in the power of Your resurrection and believe that You have placed us there to welcome in the climate of heaven; wholeness, healing, love, peace and joy.

Lord, help us to overcome our unbelief and have faith in You today.

In the name of the One who is Faithful and True, Jesus the Christ,

-Amen

A Walking Book of the Bible

Have you ever had a time when you didn't know what to focus your prayer time on?  Truth be told, if the walls of my prayer room could talk, they would tell you I've been known to look around, swing my feet (I'm a short person), push up my bottom lip and tryyyyy to feel spiritual while my mind produces little more than what one could wipe off of a brand new whiteboard.

Well, today I was having one of those mornings, so I asked the Holy Spirit to do what the bible says He can do, and guide me in what I should be praying about.  With my bible, journal and pen ready, I sat in my rocking chair and just began to praise the Lord.  

Kaleb- aka "Baby Buns" Graves

SOURCE: ARKELL & DANA'S BABY BUN/FACEBOOK

True to His promise, He led me to open up my journal to the very first page and read.  There, following the morning pleasantries and salutations to Jesus,  was a list of people to pray for, with the first person being "Baby Kaleb".  Maybe you don't know who Baby Kaleb is.  If you don't, you probably aren't on Facebook, don't have a YouTube account, don't watch Rachel Ray or the six o'clock news! This little chubby bundle of joy was born in October 2015 at just twenty four weeks and since then has grown by leaps and bounds before the world's eyes while enduring a series of critical surgeries due to his premature birth.

Although I reread the prayer for Baby Kaleb from my March 28th entry , the Holy Spirit also led me to pray for his mother.  During this prayer, He began to weigh on my heart the burden that she has had to endure and opened my eyes to the determination and strength that she possesses through Him and how I can truly learn from her.

Dana and Kaleb Graves

SOURCE: ARKELL & DANA'S BABY BUN/FACEBOOK

God is so awesome in that He has blessed me to know Kaleb's mother personally before she became a Youtube sensation with her pregnancy announcement. We live in the same neighborhood and attend the same church.  Her oldest son is a delight to talk with (if you like comic books and paleontology- and I do) and her husband is one of the coolest guys you'd ever meet.  So, it is my extreme pleasure to introduce you to today's lesson, Mrs. Dana Griffin-Graves! 

 I wanted you to meet this awesome woman of God because sometimes the stories and lessons of the bible don't seem applicable to us because, well... because they're old. We can think that the saints of yesteryear had it much easier since they were physically closer to Jesus and didn't have nearly as much"stuff" to deal with as we do.  But if that's going to be our mindset, we should look around all the more and make note of when Jesus is truly manifesting Himself right in front of us in someone else's life!


The bible says in Revelation 12: 11, that "They overcame him (It is speaking of satan,the enemy, and no, I will not apply the rule of capitalization to his name because he is not worthy.) by the Blood of the Lamb and by their testimony and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die."  As educators who are Believers, our lives are on public display even more than a regular person.  What we say, how we say it, how we deal with situations and attacks from the enemy; these are the things make us living testimonies and are also the things that are being watched, dissected and critiqued by our students, coworkers and every member of the general public that graces the halls of our schools.  My pastor always tell us we may be "the only bible some people will ever read" and to live "like we're the sixty-seventh book!"

Well, Dana is very much a walking sixty-seventh book as she overcomes daily obstacles by her testimony of Jesus and the power of His blood; some of which I'd like to share with you. It is my desire that as you learn the pieces of her story, you will apply the strength of her testimony to your thoughts and actions while preparing for this upcoming school year just as you would if this were one of Jesus' parables.  While I don't have a mountain to sit on, a boat to teach out of or a vineyard to walk through, just keep scrolling down because He IS real and so is His presence in His people!

Dana held on to a promise from God for seventeen years! At the age of forty one with multiple miscarriages under her belt, one adoption and the thoughts that "It's too late now", she found out last fall that she was already five months pregnant! In those seventeen years, she and her husband were still fruitful and multiplied their love by tirelessly pouring themselves into the lives of others with countless service projects and volunteer events. The testimony of how they waited, is one that shows  fruitful patience.

Lesson 1:  God will fulfill His promises for you so prepare to receive it. 

Persist in prayer this year for the things that seem impossible to attain yet you believe are God's will for you; an additional degree or endorsement, financial stability, better health, different position, better relationships etc. Know that God operates in His own timing, but stand on His faithfulness and wait faithfully and productively.  Whatever you're waiting on, prepare for it by seeking God's wisdom on how to best receive His blessing.  

SOURCE: divinewalls.com

If you have the time, scroll through Dana's Facebook page created by her sister to capture not only Kaleb's birth and NICU journey, but support. There has been no hesitation on her or her husband's part to ask family, friends, our church, and the general public for their prayers.  Their response to many of the people who send their well wishes and prayers is that each one gives them both just a little more strength,  a little more faith, and a little more encouragement exactly when they need it.

Lesson 2:  Lay your pride and fear aside and ask  others for prayer.

This school year, do not be afraid or hesitant to ask a coworker or family member that you trust to join you in prayer or pray for you.  It doesn't mean that you can't get a prayer through on your own, but that you desire more of His presence manifesting in your situation. Request that your church place you and your school on their weekly prayer list and pray that God surround you with people who will truly bombard heaven on your behalf. Liberty and the fullness of joy come from His presence and His presence is guaranteed where His Believers are gathered together seeking Him.

SOURCE: cambraza.blogspot.com

Dana is surrounded by her loving husband, parents, siblings, hospital support staff, coworkers and church family. Her role of wife and mother has never been put on hold.  She continues to work, stand with her husband, support their oldest son, volunteer in the community and travel about thirty miles each way to the hospital on a daily basis to see her baby!  How does she do it? More than likely she follows the first part of Lesson 2 and then asks for help.

Lesson 3: You can't do it all on your own.

 I know for a fact that I need help with everything that I do because without God, I am nothing and pretty much clueless.  It is not a sign of weakness if you ask for help.  Realize that if your load seems too heavy for you to bear alone, God could be teaching you about how to truly depend on Him and grow from the spiritual connections made with those He places in your paths.  Pray this year for God to send you spiritual and physical support for every assignment He has for you. 

I have always admired Dana even before she began  this journey.  She is very

SOURCE: tonyevans.org

down to earth in expressing her love of God and people and continues to do so even now as she exalts God during times when she is afraid, perplexed, tired or hurt.  Because Dana is candidly sharing her journey with the world, people are able to witness firsthand how the psalmists, prophets and apostles of the bible could praise God in, through and on the other side of their trials and tribulations.   People around the world and those closest to her are realizing just how tangible God truly can be in our greatest times of need.

Lesson 4: Give God all of the glory.
The true distance of an educator's influence is very difficult to measure. However, Jesus empowers us to influence people eternally as we live out His Great Commission. His Spirit leads and guides us everyday to live holy and praise Him in all things.  When a student is difficult, give God the same amount of praise for Him building your patience as you would for Him providing you with an unexpected check or three snow days! Your constant reference to God teaching you, providing for you, favoring you, empowering you, encouraging you and even disciplining you lets people see real time faith in action, the bible come to life and a intimate relationship with Jesus as life's ultimate goal.

So as we take a lesson from Mrs. Dana Griffin-Graves and the "book" from her life on how to live and love for Christ, may we stand firm on  the same three thoughts that should cement itself in the heart and mind of any reader concluding their journey through any of His original sixty six books:

God is real and good.

With Him, nothing is impossible.

He will never leave or forsake His own.

  

Walk proudly, boldly and wisely in the ways of God this school year.  No matter what, trust God and  project and reflect Jesus in everything you do!

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

Go With the Flow and Ride the Wind

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to visit the Virginia Beach Oceanfront area with my family.  Since we didn't get a chance to spend any extended time at the beach this summer, I told myself that to make up for that, I would have to spend at least one morning on the beach greeting the Lord and His sunrise. 

Unfortunately, our first morning was cool, misty, overcast and the ocean was extremely rough. So instead of going down on the beach, I hung out on our balcony.  While  drinking my coffee, I saw a seagull hovering around our ninth story balcony. 

Truth be told, when they are not trying to take your Cheetos or chase you across a parking lot to get your ice cream cone ( childhood flashback...shudder), seagulls are actually inspirational to watch.  So I sipped and watched, sipped and watched, and noticed the most wonderful things.  

On that windy, wet day, the gulls did not fight the wind, but rode it with grace and agility.  If their goal was to go forward against the wind, they just hovered until the current was conducive for their progression. They would rise higher or descend with a few flaps of their wings.  Their hovering seemed effortless although the wind blew tirelessly in their faces.  

Then, as I tilted my coffee cup back to finish it off, something zoomed off to the right!  A seagull shot past me and went on his merry way.  "Wow", I thought, that gull is going faster in that direction.  

Our lives are just like that. When we make God our rear guard (Isaiah 58:8 “Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your healing (restoration, new life) will quickly spring forth; Your righteousness will go before you [leading you to peace and prosperity], The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. success is eminent.  It is for us to let God push us forward as we shoot from faith to faith and glory to glory.

Educators, God never intended us to struggle in our own strength. Our struggle for things that are already promised to us and under His covenant are just a ridiculous as ...

When you study the Word of God, make note of His promises to YOU. As you learn these promises, your "blessed assurance" will strengthen your wings.

So, here's a promise to get you started for this week:

   Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11: 28-30 NLT

Whether you're having a wind in your face or wind in your back school year, God wants you to allow Him to lead and guide you. Trust Him with EVERYTHING.  There is nothing too insignificant or hard for Him.  Just go with the flow and ride the wind. 

The Lord is with you and you are love,

Toni

Please enjoy this song.  God is sovereign and nothing is too hard for Him.  Go with the flow and trust Him.

Images retrieved from:
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/backstage/343326-seagull-tries-save-friend-seagull-vs-eagle-2.html
http://xquatrox.deviantart.com/art/Seagull-in-the-sky-303943395