It was a typical day for my grade nine English class. After the initial warm greeting, I asked if anybody had a prayer request. To my surprise, a Buddhist student raised his hand and asked me to pray for his science teacher, who is a Hindu. As an Adventist educator, this was a deeply moving experience for me.
Prayer is an Opportunity
As an educator, praying for my students’ requests is a unique opportunity to connect with the hearts of young learners from diverse faiths. It allows me to remind them that there is a God who loves them unconditionally, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.
Remarkably, during every moment of prayer, my once noisy classroom transforms into a sacred silence. In that silence, almost everyone senses that prayer might indeed have an impact—and they become open to giving it a try.
Prayer is a Relationship
The students’ decision to give prayer a try helped us build a connection that extended beyond the typical student-teacher relationship. It fostered trust, allowing them to see their teacher as a reliable support system.
One day, a student unexpectedly missed school without notice. He later emailed, explaining he had tested positive for COVID-19. I assured him of my prayers, and the class joined in. Remarkably, he returned to our classroom healthy after three days, thanking us for our prayers.
Guidelines to Follow While Praying for Your Students
There is no specific formula for praying for your students, but keeping the following principles in mind can make your prayers more meaningful and impactful:
- Be Sincere. Even if your students don’t share your faith, they can perceive the authenticity of your prayers. Approach prayer with genuine care and compassion. Reflect on the example of Jesus, who prayed earnestly for His “students” (John 17:6–19). His heartfelt prayer for their protection and guidance empowered them in their future ministry. In the same way, our sincerity can touch and inspire our students.
- “Pray Without Ceasing.” As the apostle Paul encourages in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we should maintain an attitude of continuous prayer. Pray regularly for your students, both individually and collectively, and let them know they are included in your personal prayers. This reassures them that they have a teacher who genuinely cares for their well-being, fostering trust and connection.
- Celebrate Answered Prayers. Every answered prayer is a testament to God’s power and faithfulness. Take time to acknowledge these moments with your students. Highlighting God’s work in their lives can deepen their understanding of prayer’s significance and encourage them to trust in His guidance.
By embodying these principles, you can nurture a spiritually supportive environment that uplifts and inspires your students.
Questions to Ponder:
- How can you use prayer as an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with young students?
- Would you like to rekindle your prayer ministry for your students? How would you like to do it?
Author
Joy Kuttappan
Kuttappan, an English teacher at Hong Kong Adventist Academy, part of Chinese Union Mission, holds master’s degrees in religion, education, and English, and previously served as an educator and editor in India and Thailand before moving to Hong Kong.