Nougat 10

Just about all countries have resumed classes (except maybe for colleges) in the Western Hemisphere. So I pause our reflections on the End Times to focus on our children in today’s Holy Nougat

““Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” Then he blessed the children and went away from there.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭CEB‬‬

He blessed the children

There is a tendency/temptation to presume that our children are not always able to make profound spiritual decisions and it is most often incorrect. For the disciples, this was layered by their self-determined gatekeeper’s role where they screened Jesus’ guests, and children were not among the priority visitors. (It really makes one wonder whether that little boy truly offered his lunch to Jesus, or if it was ‘appropriated’ by the disciples as Rev Lydia Neshangwe once intimated.) Yet our Nougat assures us that Jesus DOES value children and that there’s room for them in His plan.

So, armed with that knowledge, we pause to commit our children and the new school year to God’s care.

Rabboni Y’shua

You are the original Master Teacher and You prioritized learning as a key element of our growth and development. For You, everyone was a student – even the teachers of the Law. It is that awareness that gives us pause to place all teachers and administrative staff before You. They face their own personal struggles and their dreams and concerns for the school to which they are assigned. Restore their joy with the profession, their passion for their students’ learning abilities and the desire to impart knowledge.

We know that in many countries, teachers are unfairly paid, as they receive salaries that are not commensurate with their qualifications or their responsibilities. Yet we expect them to remain in the system and that they are happy with those conditions. Soften the hearts and minds of the decision makers, the political leaders and advisers, so that they would seek to have teachers paid top salaries (similar to the salaries they claim for themselves).

Meet the needs of our teachers please Lord, so that they are genuine about imparting knowledge. Grant them patience, creativity, openness, and collegiality as they foster problem-solving approaches to learning while imparting life skills to their students. May they be people of integrity so that they are not inclined to compromise values, ethics or morals in their work. We’ve heard about those who are extortion experts, and cancel such behavior in Jesus name. Renew their minds and remove any traces of greed we pray dear Y’shua.

Having placed the teachers and administrative staff under Your care Abba, we commit our students, young and old, to You. Rabbi, open minds to desire learning – the arts, sciences, technical skills, creative knowledge – whatever form it takes, all or one, as knowledge is life transformational. Thanks in advance for new ways of learning, for engaged minds that excel in receiving information and transforming it into knowledge. For while learning is important, it’s the application that makes the difference.

We pray for positive interactions in learning spaces, whether outdoors or in the classroom, formal or informal learning. We know Rabbi that all it takes is one bad experience to cripple the enjoyment of formal learning experiences. So, we ask that our children benefit from positive interactions, even if faced with danger, disappointment or distress; send even one person please Lord to transform the moment.

And Jehovah Jireh, for some families, there’s need to find the ram in the thicket, as quality education is outside their budget. Some can scrape together for the fees, but nothing else; some have no fees – not even on a payment plan – while others genuinely have no means, removing formal education from their priorities. Where there is interest, Please Abba, provide the means. Please remove any negativity from us over our children, help us to engage them positively and to encourage them in their learning experience.

(Lord, I also ask that parents think several times about joining the new fashion of ‘Dunce’ accessories for school as that is NOT a positive label in any way, shape or form. Help them to resist the trend after they have thought about it).

And may the bullying (especially the kind that targets seemingly weaker children) be eradicated as our children joyously seek knowledge, wisdom and compassion in their spaces of study.

Elohim, You are excellent in all things, and we crave that same spirit of excellence for all our children. We speak excellent learning spaces, teachers and teaching aids. We thank You for wherever they are on the learning spectrum now, and desire that the year realizes mastery in a theory, concept, or skill. May our students be blessed with an ‘I can’ mentality in even one are Rabboni, and may this be nurtured by us and their formal teachers.

Thank You Abba for being their Source, Sustainer and Support. May Your blessing be ever visible in their lives dear Jesus. Please allow Your Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding to be their constant Companion we pray dear Y’shua amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ