Topic: Kids/College/School
Today we pray for Attendees: Janet, Leslie, Cheryl, and Tracy
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7
Father, you have given us a heart of love for our children. Many of the attendee’s home school their children. (Lord, instill these students with a love of learning that will fill the gaps that may occur in the curriculum.) Juggling multiple ages, various learning styles, and sometimes learning disabilities—while having the cultural (and ministry) need to be hospitable and available—is a daunting task. Balance between family and ministry roles is a continual area of tension. Father, grant them an abundance of grace, humor, wisdom, perseverance, and strength.
Conversely, attending national schools can carry its own set of challenges. Different philosophies of education, corporal punishment, or a shame-based approach to motivating students are some areas that may be experienced. Learning the language and culture at various ages and developing friendships is also a challenge. All these things can add up to huge hits on an already uprooted identity for these cross-cultural children. Holy Spirit, please comfort and ground everyone in Your love and truth—including the parents.
Many of the women who have attended the retreat say that sending their kids off to college in the US is one of the hardest sacrifices they make in being cross-cultural workers. It is a time of difficult transitions for the entire family. Parenting these children long-distance is a real challenge. Lord, we ask for Your comfort when anxieties overwhelm them. Guard their minds with Your truth and may they have Your strength to reject lies that Satan would use to paralyze them. We ask for consistent and honest communication. Please provide healthy relationships and an intimate holistic journey in Jesus for each of these young adults.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
©2017 Thrive
Regional Prayer Focus Nation: Montenegro
Challenges for Prayer
Independence has brought optimism and hope. Montenegro is a small country but has great potential. If it can avoid the enmity between ethnic/religious communities that plagues most of the Balkans, there is much to look forward to.
However, economic development (mostly through a burgeoning tourist industry and the aim of joining the EU) brings neither peace nor salvation, and less upright elements of society will now see the nation as a ripe new target for their vice. Pray for Montenegro to be a just, peaceful and corruption-free nation which enjoys ethnic harmony. Pray that people will seek the truth in the midst of their new-found nationhood.
Excerpts taken from Operation World