Summer is coming to a close and for families, students, teachers, and administrations all over the nation school is about to begin. This may excite some and for others this may be nerve-wracking or even frustrating. Some parents will be taking their kids to kindergarten for the very first time. For some families they will be taking their kid to the “big” middle school or high school for the first time. This also means back to routine, homework, test, and friday night football games with the marching band playing at halftime. Within the context of local church student ministry, there is huge opportunity that awaits. The opportunity to reach campuses filled with students who need to hear the Gospel. We must be diligent in equipping students to see this incredible mission field and to make Kingdom impact. We must also be committed to pray like crazy. There are three ways I consistently pray for students during the school year.

1. Prayer for Wisdom. Wisdom is not simply knowledge but yet knowing what to do with that knowledge. This starts with a fear and awe of who God is and then leads us to pursuing Him each and every day. In the book of James, Scripture teaches us that wisdom that comes from God is pure, its full of mercy and good fruits (James 3:17). The book of James also teaches us that if we lack wisdom we should ask God for it and He will give it generously (James 1:5). Pray that students would increase in intellectual and spiritual knowledge (Luke 2:52). More than that, that they would grow in Godly wisdom.

2. Prayer for Boldness. Boldness is a scary thought for students because it can often be uncomfortable. Pray that students would take Godly wisdom and discernment and be bold in sharing their faith; that they would always be thinking and praying through people to share their faith with. Gospel-centered, Jesus-loving, passionate, bold (opposite from self-righteous and annoying), students are desperately needed in classrooms, on the ball field, and walking down the hallways of our schools. Boldness is often contagious and this leads to greater impact (Acts 2:47).

3. Prayer for Faithfulness. True faithfulness is hard to find these days. Its seems as if more and more people only stay faithful to a mission when its convenient or doesn’t require much sacrifice. Pray students are faithful to what the Lord has called them to; that they would persevere when its tough (1 Corinthians 9:24), seek Godly accountability in areas they struggle in (Proverbs 27:17), and love Christ more than anything else (Matthew 22:37-38). A strong commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is a must for a disciple of Jesus Christ. Pray students are faithful to the Gospel- to love it, live it, and share it.

Colossians 3:2-4 (HCSB), “{2} Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. {3} At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison, {4} so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.”