“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6

Dear God,  
 
We come before you today to say thank you for the families all over Middle Tennessee who are navigating transitions this upcoming school year. Whether that be the calendar transition of going back into the routine of a new school year, or other transitions such as a new school, a new child and/or a new variable in life that may provide a challenge.  

We remain grateful that so many families are present to support our students, and they are on our hearts today. May you please grant patience and grace for our parents who are undergoing these new life transitions? We ask that you move in a powerful way in their lives, and that by doing so, they can feel strengthened by your presence and comforted in their challenges. 

Please help them to know that whatever emotions they may feel, or mind shifts they are having to make, are normal, natural and okay. Please help them to feel seen, valued and appreciated, by their children and by their community around them. For those potentially struggling with direct support, please grant them the right village and resources to help them in their day-to-day. For those who may feel overwhelmed, please grant them peace of mind and a character of resilience. For those who may feel confused, please grant them a spirit of clarity and discernment. And for those who may feel fatigued, please grant them rest and rejuvenation, in a way only you can.  
 
Lord, we ask that all parents at this time can know how precious you are to them, and that as a Good Father yourself, you understand their trials and have prepared them for such a time as this. May our parents feel loved, connected, and full of joy as they embrace the transitions who have prepared for them, and may they know that they have been made special for the task of loving your children.  
 
We love you, we need you, and we cannot do this without you.  
 
In your Son’s name we pray,  
Amen 

Dr. Mike Hidalgo, Program Manager
United4Hope