It is time

We’re half way through summer.

Half way through.

As a teacher, summer is my time to relax, recharge and refocus. I am always a bit shocked once mid July hits and I realize that we’re halfway through summer.

More fun will be had.

I should get to sleep in a few more times.

I have made plans to transform my classroom and feel excited about the coming school year.

But the idea of half way through makes me more alert. Preparing for my classroom in July and August has always been my pattern as a veteran teacher. It makes the busy Teacher Workdays prior to the first day of school run so much more smoothly for me.

It’s nice to know when you are half way through a course or if you are half way through the school year. You can celebrate your victories at the half way mark. You can set new goals.

Today, at the half way mark through summer, I felt the need to evaluate where I am in my prayer life. Praying helps me. I speak to God and offer praise, thanks and my needs. I know that I have met my school prep goals for half way through summer, but have realized that I haven’t set goals to pray as I should. My pastor spoke today on Hosea 10:12 which guided me to assess my prayer life. I will state it again:

I will pray more and claim victory over my marriage, my children and my extended family. I know that God is faithful and will pray for Him to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond that which I could ever ask or think. When I pray like Jesus did that His Father’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven, I begin to notice how my perception of my day’s moments are filtered with grace.

I hope you will consider where you are in your prayer life today.

Here is a prayer that I am offering to God:

I need you, Jesus, to bring to life what seems to have wilted. The heat is at times almost unbearable outside and at times, my heart had fainted due to stress and scorching looks or words that I received. Protect me from the harsh attacks by shielding me with the breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith.

Like you called Lazarus, Jesus, please bring forth a resurrection of a restored relationship in my life. Help me, Father, to forgive and start again. You are the Way, the Truth and The Life. I need you to lead me. Please don’t let discouragement enter my heart. Lead me to think on things that are pure, lovely, just, right and of a good report. I know that lies and deception try to injure, but where sin did abound, grace much more abounded.

Oh God, protect me. You are my life source. Every breath comes from you so I ask for you to breathe a newness over my heart, my marriage and my family. Let us break up the unplowed ground where we have focused on other worldly things and do the right thing so that we can reap your rewards. Help me to lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets and lay hold on life eternal and abundant life now.

In the strong and mighty name of Jesus, Amen.