“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

“When I thought ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19

God, we come before you asking for resilience for students facing academic challenges this school year.
We know that many factors influence students’ learning, including language barriers, mental health, diagnosed and undiagnosed learning differences, housing insecurity, death, loss, or family separation, insecurity around basic needs, or students’ sense of safety and belonging.

God, we confess that sometimes these barriers can feel insurmountable.

So, Lord I pray that you wrap around precious students that are experiencing educational barriers – whatever those barriers may be – and give them a spirit of resilience. Make a way for them this year.

We know that you are a God that creates solutions outside the realm of what we consider possible, so we pray that you would please enact healing in their circumstances, protect them, and give them a true spirit of determination to persevere against all odds. Surround them with safe community that will remind them that they are loved, seen, valued, and worthy. Give them safe spaces to process, create, laugh, and heal.

Lord I also lift up the teachers, administrators, tutors, and mentors that will come alongside these students this year. Please give them the knowledge and sensitivity to know how to adjust content to meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.

Please give them the wisdom to call each child to the highest and best version of themselves while also extending grace. Give them deeper insight into what may be the cause of a child’s academic barriers and help them provide each child with the support they need to genuinely thrive.

Jesus, thank you for caring for the young people on our hearts today. Thank you for loving them and for providing for them. We entrust these children to your care today and this school year.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Laura Varela, Director
United4Hope