Rachel Whisman

“When you have a difficulty before you and you are seriously perplexed. When business has got into a tangle or a confession which you cannot unravel or arrange, breathe a prayer. It need not occupy a minute, but it is wonderful how many snarls can come loose after just a word of prayer. Are the children particularly troublesome to you, good woman? Do you seem as if your patience was almost worn out with the worry and harassment? Now for a brief prayer! You will manage them all the better and you bear with their naughty tempers all the more quietly. At any rate your mind will be the less ruffled.” -Charles H. Spurgeon, The Power of Prayer

These are some of the prayers that I have “breathed” throughout the day as a teacher. May you be encouraged as I was by Spurgeon to go to the Lord in prayer more whether it is to thank Him or to ask for help. He truly is our only help.

Turning onto the street that my school is on 

“Lord, you are God and you are good. Thank you for giving me everything that I need this morning to do what you have called me to do. Thank you for your new morning mercies.”

Turning onto the street that my school is on, but on a different day…

“Lord, I am dead meat. I am so exhausted. Help me to love these kids well.”

In the classroom, the announcement bell goes off for a moment of silence that lasts for 10-20 seconds.

“Lord, may you bless these kiddos and keep them, and may you make your face shine upon them that Your ways may be known throughout the whole world.”

A student erupts in misbehavior. Tears paper, shoves it off the desk, and says something disrespectful. 

“Lord, help me!”

A group of students pile on at the back table and ask a bunch of questions at the same time and I am very much overwhelmed. 

*out loud “Jesus, please help me and give me the endurance and grace I need to help and lovingly respond to these students. In Jesus’ name, amen!” 

Realized, why not say my prayers out loud? Who else will model for them prayer if they don’t know Jesus? Makes them curious and reminds me that Jesus is there with me. 

Return from a meeting where I learn I have to change another thing that I am doing as a teacher. 

“Lord, this wasn’t a surprise to you. Please, keep my heart soft. I don’t like change. Help me to depend on you.”  

A student gets upset and refuses to do any of their work after prompting and helping them multiple times. 

“Lord, keep me from myself and help me to calm down and keep my mouth shut. What do they need? Help me please!” 

Clap back at a student in a sassy way…

“Lord please forgive me. I was disrespectful towards your child.” …proceed to ask forgiveness from the student. That is always humbling. 

A student is not doing their work. They seem off and they won’t open up to me about what is going on. 

“Lord, you know them. Help me to help them. Please give me wisdom.” 

Students are released for dismissal and I am doing car-rider duty outside 

“Thank you, Lord for this beautiful weather, the sun, and getting me through the day.”  

I get into my car.

“Thank you.”

I get into my car on Friday

“Thank you Lord for getting me through another week of school. Thank you for the weekend.”

“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18