Our Father in heaven,
We come before you as your children, humbly acknowledging your sovereign rule over all creation. We thank you for the gift of this school, a place where minds are cultivated, hearts are nurtured, and your truth is taught. We know that all wisdom and knowledge come from you, and we seek the glory of Christ in every lesson, in every relationship, and in every moment of our journey together.
Lord, may your name be honored in our school in every classroom, in every conversation, and in every activity. Help us to reflect your holiness and majesty in how we teach, learn, and serve each other. May our lives be patterned after you, our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. May this be a place where your greatness is revered, and your goodness is made known to all.
We pray that your kingdom would be extended here. May it grow within the hearts of every student, teacher, and staff member, bringing renewal by your transforming grace. May the values of your kingdom—justice, mercy, peace, and truth—be evident in the way we interact, teach, and learn. Please make our school a reflection of your eternal kingdom.
Lord, we ask that your will would be done in our school, in every decision, and in every classroom. Help us to discern and proclaim your will in the content we teach, in the way we nurture relationships, and in the manner we prepare students for lives of faithful service to you. We pray for your guidance in the challenges we face, and obediently trust your good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Father, we also ask that you provide for all of our needs. Please continue to grant us the resources and strength we need to carry out the mission of our school. Provide for our teachers, that they may have the energy, insight, and patience to pour into the lives of students. Provide for our students, that they may be diligent in their studies, eager to grow and willing to be corrected. Provide for our families, that with health and strength they may be supported in their efforts and united in their love for you. May we never forget that we depend on your abundant grace to supply all we need.
We seek your forgiveness, Lord, for all the ways we fall short of your holiness. Forgive us when we selfishly fail to love as you have loved, when we carelessly neglect our most important responsibilities, and when we foolishly give in to pride, anger, or impatience. Help us to forgive each other in the same way that you have forgiven us, so that our school may be a place where reconciliation and forgiveness flow freely, where humility guides our interactions, and where we grow together in grace.
Lord, protect us from the temptations that would draw us away from you. Guard us against selfishness and worldly distractions. Defend our school against division, discouragement, and anything that would seek to harm the work you are doing here. Deliver us from Satan and all the forces of evil, equipping us to stand firm in the faith and hold fast to the truth of your Word and the hope of the gospel.
Together we acknowledge that all authority, power, and glory belong to you. We trust that you are working all things for your glory and for our good. We offer our school into your hands, confident that you will complete the good work you have begun.
Amen.
Tom Bradshaw has been serving as Cedar Tree’s headmaster since 2006. This article was first published in 2024.
