Restoring Education: Praying Nehemiah 8

Based loosely on Nehemiah 8:3 (NKJV), 8 (NKJV), 10 (TLV)

Lord, give us a hunger for Your Word, in season and out. Help us make time to listen to those who preach and teach Truth and who refuse to preach and teach for itching ears by telling listeners what they want to hear and not what they need to hear. Help us pay attention to and understand what we’re taught.

Help read Your Word as individuals, small groups of co-workers who believe, and within our local faith communities. Give us the discernment and understanding to not only remember Your Word, but to apply it to our complex, complicated modern life.

For our students, give them a right hunger for the worldly skills and knowledge You want them to have. Give them a wise and discerning heart and mind like Daniel’s that they would come to know You and rely on You to lead them to their worldly profession. Help them remember and know what they need to know for modern life.

Let us live our lives with balance and moderation, enjoying food and entertainment and sharing with those who don’t have what we do. Let us see each moment as holy and belonging to You. Let Your joy always give us strength, even on the darkest, most challenging days.