Tonight, as we prepare to open the doors of A One-Room Schoolhouse for our sixth year, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Six years. In some ways, it feels like yesterday that we first gathered—nervous, excited, unsure of what was to come, yet filled with a vision of what a community of families could build together. In other ways, it feels like a lifetime ago, because this schoolhouse has grown so much since those humble beginnings.
This evening, as I think about tomorrow, I picture children tucked into bed, restless with anticipation for the first day of school. I imagine backpacks waiting by the door, sharpened pencils lined up, and parents quietly exhaling as another year of learning begins. Teachers have prepared lessons and classrooms with such care, pouring their energy into creating spaces where children can flourish. Parents have given time, encouragement, and support, holding up the vision of this partnership. And children are ready—hearts open, minds curious, eager to learn, explore, and grow.
It is with this gratitude in mind that I offer this prayer for the year ahead.
For the Students
My prayer begins with the children—the heartbeat of our schoolhouse.
I pray that each student wakes tomorrow with excitement in their eyes and goes to bed each night with joy in their hearts. I pray that anxieties are quieted and replaced with courage, that challenges are met with resilience, and that curiosity becomes the spark that lights their days.
I pray that friendships blossom—friendships that are kind, inclusive, and enduring. No child should feel out of place, alone, or unseen. My prayer is that every student knows, deep down, that they belong here, that they are loved here, and that this community has space for them exactly as they are.
I hope they grow in more than just academics. Growth in knowledge is important, but so too is growth in character, in compassion, in faith. May they discover not only how to read more deeply or calculate more clearly, but also how to show kindness, how to forgive, how to stand up for what is right, and how to offer a hand to someone who needs it.
Our students will face moments this year that test them. They will feel frustration when a math problem won’t solve, or discouragement when a project doesn’t work the way they planned. My prayer is that they discover perseverance in those moments and that success—when it comes—feels all the sweeter because they pressed on.
For the Parents
I also pray for the parents who walk this road alongside their children.
Homeschooling in partnership is a beautiful but demanding task. Parents give so much—time, energy, patience, and love. Some days will feel full of victories, while others may feel heavy with worry or exhaustion. My prayer is that parents find encouragement in this community, that they discover friendships that lighten their load, and that they know they are not alone in this journey.
I pray for the parents who are new to our schoolhouse, those who may wonder if they will find their place. May they be warmly welcomed, drawn into the fold, and given the reassurance that they are already part of something bigger than themselves. I pray for those who may feel weary, that they find strength and rest in the support of this community.
I hope that parents also find joy in the small, everyday moments—the excitement of a child mastering a new skill, the laughter around a family table when a project takes an unexpected turn, the quiet pride of seeing their child step forward with courage.
And I pray that parents, too, grow this year—not only in patience or perseverance, but in connection with one another. I hope they share stories, lend support, and remind each other that we are stronger together than we ever are apart.
For the Teachers
Teachers stand at the heart of this mission, and I lift them in prayer as well.
I pray for strength and stamina, for creativity and inspiration. Teaching is demanding work, and it asks not only for intellect, but for patience, love, and resilience. I pray that teachers find joy in the daily rhythm of the classroom and that their efforts are met with gratitude and growth.
I pray that they see their students not only as learners, but as whole people—souls in need of encouragement, belonging, and care. I pray that their classrooms are places of discovery, peace, and wonder, where children are both challenged and cherished.
Teaching is planting seeds that may not bear fruit for years to come. My prayer is that teachers are sustained in that quiet, faithful work, knowing that every word of encouragement, every act of patience, every moment of guidance makes a difference.
And I pray that teachers themselves feel supported—by parents, by their colleagues, and by this schoolhouse family. Their calling is a noble one, and they do not walk it alone.
For Our Community
Finally, I pray for our schoolhouse community as a whole.
This partnership is not just about academics—it is about building something lasting together. I pray that this is a year where bonds deepen, where kindness is practiced daily, and where love is at the center of all we do.
I pray for peace—for homes filled with it, for classrooms shaped by it, for hearts steadied by it. I pray for health and strength, for resilience in the face of challenges, and for joy in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments.
And I pray for a spirit of welcome. Our schoolhouse should always be a place where new families feel quickly at home, where children know they belong, and where every voice is valued. I pray that we watch out for one another, care for one another, and lift each other up in both good times and hard times.
Stepping Into the Year Ahead
As I reflect on all that lies ahead, I am filled with hope. The journey before us is rich with promise. There will be moments of challenge, yes—but also moments of great joy, discovery, and growth. Together, as families, teachers, and children, we step into this new season with gratitude and with faith.
It is my prayer that this year at A One-Room Schoolhouse is wrapped in love, guided by wisdom, and filled with peace. And as we walk forward, I trust that our community will continue to grow into a place where everyone—child, parent, and teacher alike—finds belonging, encouragement, and joy.
Here’s to a year of adventure, learning, and love—together with you, Dear Father, in Jesus name we go forward in faith.
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