Here we go!  We are in the final hours before the start of school chaos!  If you are anything like me, you have it all ready to go.  Backpack crammed with new notebooks, pencil pouches, and glue sticks.  First day of school outfit set out.  Paperwork and payments complete. 

One of the things, though, that has always caused my organization to become unhinged is what to do about lunch.  Writing the check for school lunch was always a win in my household because for some reason thinking about planning, preparing, and packing lunches for my girls was a lot for me. Thank goodness my husband helped make sure they didn’t starve on those days that they preferred a packed lunch over school lunch.

But there was still the crisis involving lunch for me. Some will say they can skip lunch.  Not me.  I like to eat, and I tell myself I need something to give me the energy I need for the rest of the day. It might be a tuna pouch and a handful of blueberries some days, but then a couple of Twix bars and a bag of popcorn on other days. I won’t lie, though, I do enjoy a schedule and location that allows me that occasional Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich!

In additional to all the school supplies, the new clothes, and the midday meals that we all need to keep us going this school year, there is still one more thing that is essential for us.  We need to remember to pack those prayers each day as well. 

Just like those lunches, we might be thinking I don’t know what to pray, how to pray, or find time to pray.   We might be thinking about the planning and the preparing and the speaking of those prayers every day could be a lot.  We know in our hearts, we need the sustenance that God provides, but we don’t follow through.  For lots of reasons, and some of those reasons sound really good.  It’s like trying to live on those Twix bars, knowing we need those blueberries…but we forgot to buy the blueberries, we let them go bad, we don’t have time to wash them.

But friends, I want to reassure you that making a relationship with your Lord and Savior a priority will not be wasted time.   For those of us at work and at home, but especially for those of us starting a new school year!

I will be praying these prayers over all of us throughout the year!  And, I hope that these scriptures will also bless you and become reminders for the good days, the bad days, and all the days in between!

PEACE.  On these first few days at the beginning of the year crazy.  On those difficult and demanding days.  On those days that you question your influence and need the calm encouragement.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14: 27

PROTECTION.  From all the ways that the enemy tries to attack.  The physical and the mental. Guarding our hearts, our minds, and our souls. Safety from all the evils.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3

GRACE AND MERCY.  Because we are not perfect. We will judge and be judged. The students will make poor decisions. You will question your choices.  His grace and mercy will cover it all.

“Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”  2 John 1:3

STRENGTH.  On the crazy days.  On the hard days.  On the days we want to give up. On the days where our emotions are draining our abilities and our energies.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

LOVE.  That God’s love is evident through daily interactions and the behaviors of those we come in contact with.  That we feel and show His love more and more each day.

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16

PATIENCE.  That your days start will a tank full of restraint and self-control when no one is listening.  When all the questions come at one time.  When the coffee supply along with the capacity to answer, fix, and complete the tasks are depleted.

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2

PURPOSE.  More than anything I pray that we can always know that we were created for a purpose.  His purpose. And that we are right where He has placed us to fulfill that purpose. And that we continue to ask Him to work in us and through us to continue the work He has started in us.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

We serve a God who loves and who listens, so pack those prayers and have a fabulous year!