Sister Tarpley’s Column: Praying for school children

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3-4.

The story is told of a couple of businessmen in England who operate an international company, they have learned how important intimacy and the presence of God is to fulfilling His purposes for their business.

One of the partners was asked by God to trust Him and leave his job not knowing what the future would hold.

Eventually, he founded an internet company that within a year was wiped out. The Christian directors started praying together – monthly at first, then, as things continued to worsen, weekly, and finally, as desperation set in, daily!

Today, the directors of the company see that the Lord is increasingly establishing their company’s corporate identity and defining characteristic as their corporate intimacy with Him.

I retired 17 years ago from the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (C-FB ISD); since September 26, 2013, the first day of classes for the C-FB ISD, I have taught as a replacement teacher (substitute) in the district.

Prior to going back into the classroom, I had been warned numerous of times by family, friends and current teachers, that students have changed than what they were back in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.

Since being back, I have indeed learned that students at the elementary, middle and high school levels have no respect for themselves, their parents or guardians, teachers and any other authority figure.

They are extremely loud when talking in the hallways, classrooms and especially in the cafeteria (I wonder if it’s because they seem to have devices in their ears listening to music or other things.)

I found that I was acting and talking like other former and current teachers, complaining with every substitute and teacher.

One morning in my early daily prayer I pondered what to do about the students that I encountered on a daily basis. I remember that these were not my students that I see every school day. I really didn’t know them on a personal basis.

Were some of them promoted to the next grade level without learning the material in the last grade level (social promotion) as it is called?

Did some of these students come to school hungry? Did all of them get a good night’s sleep? What is their environment like at home? Were any of them bullied before they came to school or their class?

Were any of them faced with a drug problem? What about their best friend? Do all of the students believe they have a best friend? Do they have anyone they believe they can confide in? A teacher, neighbor, counselor.

Are there alcoholics and/or drug addicts living in their home? Are any of them being mentally or sexually abused? Do they have to fight on the way to school, in school or on the way home?

There are so many unanswered questions. But, I know a man that knows all of the answers. I know a man that cares about each and every student in all of the schools.

My responsibility and every Christian’s responsibility is to pray for all children on a daily basis and ask Jesus to cover them, the facility, staff and their schools with His precious blood for peace and calmness in the midst of their storm.

We need to ask God to open up their understanding in their classes to be the best child that they can be, in school, at church and in their neighborhood.

Please help by doing your part and pray for all of our children; after all, they are our future.