Each fall we mark Promotion Sunday—a joyful milestone where our kids and students “move up” to their new classes and our whole church takes a moment to pray together for those who are returning to schools across the country.
During the worship service tomorrow we’ll pray a special blessing over everyone in the education world—students of every age, teachers, administrators, counselors, and school staff. We’ll honor the holy and formative work of learning and commit ourselves to being a community who prays for and cheers them on throughout the year. And then we’ll head out to the side yard to celebrate!
As we head into this new school year, take a moment to pray for one person in your life who’s returning to school. Ask for peace, courage, and companionship for the journey—and for the grace to notice God’s presence each day.
See you tomorrow as we celebrate Promotion Sunday together!
Great Teacher,
We pray for students of every age and every stage
As they enter a new season of learning.
May your grace and truth be guideposts of their mental framework.
Would their every thought be filtered through your abundant love for the world,
Offering hope for the journey and energizing them
To pursue all that is good, beautiful, and true.
May they be open to Your presence and pursuit in all places,
That they would come to trust how You hold all things together.
Give them eyes to see and ears to hear,
That they might explore their learnings with the gift of discernment.
May every student be given the gift of a diversity of relationships:
Good, hard, different, and deep.
May their most tangible and lasting lessons
Be learning to see the image of God in every classmate,
And the God story in every endeavor.
And Lord, we lift up those who guide and nurture these students—
Teachers who pour out wisdom and patience,
Administrators who shoulder the weight of leadership,
Counselors who listen with compassion,
And staff who serve faithfully behind the scenes.
Grant them strength for each day,
Creativity for the work of shaping minds,
Courage in the face of challenge,
And deep wells of joy that remind them why they said yes to this calling.
May their classrooms and schools be places of peace,
Where justice, kindness, and curiosity flourish.
Bless their labor as holy work,
And remind them that every effort, both seen and unseen,
Contributes to the formation of lives that reflect Your image.
We entrust this new school year—
Every student, teacher, administrator, and staff member—
Into Your care,
The One who holds all wisdom,
And in whom all things find their meaning.
Amen.
(Adapted with gratitude from the work of Bekah Stewart)