An appeal for Education Sunday – 3rd February

Education Sunday – 3rd February 2019

The Archbishop has asked us to pray and actively voice our concerns about the escalation of violence in our society.

One of his areas of focus in his Christmas Day address at St George’s Cathedral was schools, and he has called on the Church to pray for schools to be free from any forms of violence. The following are some suggested areas from the Anglican Board of Education (ABE) to guide your prayers, but please contextualize them to the schools, the children and the educators in your parish.

Leadership of Schools.

Pray that the Principals and their senior management teams might be given wisdom as they lead. They hold the responsibility to keep the schools safe and to be places that are free from fear. Help them to protect both the children and educators so that all may flourish. Help them to take swift and appropriate actions against those that perpetrate violence. Thank God for good leadership and pray that Principals be given courage to act and wisdom to know what to do in difficult situations.

Pray for educators.

Pray that they might see their teaching as a calling from God. Pray that they will have hearts of understanding and compassion and that they will be enabled to create safe learning environments in their classrooms. Pray that they will actively protect the vulnerable. Pray that educators will be skilled in dealing with aggressive behaviour from children or parents and protect them from unmerited criticism and hurtful remarks. Let them find joy and satisfaction in their work.

Pray for all school children.

Pray that schools will kindle in them a desire for learning and that they will experience the joy of good education. Help them to be self-regulated, self-disciplined and self-confident so that they may pursue their education goals with courage and perseverance. Pray that they may be protected from all forms of violence –physical, mental, sexual or emotional. May they know the presence of the Spirit of Wisdom.

Pray for families and parents.

Pray that they be given wisdom in dealing with their children at home and in school. Pray that they will listen to their voices and concerns and support their sons and daughters in their education. May they have wisdom and courage to act when they see abuse and may their guidance serve to grow wisdom in their children. Help parents to be encouraging and supportive of their children and of the educators who teach them.

Pray for all Anglican schools.

Pray that each of the 350 Anglican Schools of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (especially those located in the Western Cape) will hold up the Light, Life and Love of Christ to all the children, parents and educators who form part of their school communities. Pray for Anglican Chaplains and the local clergy who minister to these schools. Pray for their protection and that they might know God’s strength and wisdom as they witness to the love of God.

Pray for all those who govern.

Pray for those who hold responsibility as governors, both in the education departments and the school governing bodies. Pray that they may have wisdom and courage to discipline those who are corrupt, and to hold principals and educators accountable for good performance. Help them to encourage and strengthen those in need. Help them to manage their service to education in ways that will bring life and joy to our education system.

The Collect for Education Sunday

Lord God, Your Son Jesus Christ sat at the feet of others to learn, and sat on the mountains to teach:

Bless those who teach and those who learn, those who seek and those who find;

So that our homes, schools, universities and churches may be filled with a longing to learn and to grow, to serve and to give;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; Amen

Revd. Roger Cameron

CEO: ABE

Visit www.abesa.co.za for more information about Anglican schools.