--- title: Four ways to pray for Christian teachers shaping young lives date: 2026-10-05T10:18:00+01:00 author: Reuben Grace canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/four-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers" section: Articles --- Share [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Ffour-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers) [ ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Four%20ways%20to%20pray%20for%20Christian%20teachers%20shaping%20young%20lives&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Ffour-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/send?app_id=1769260916495219&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Ffour-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Ffour-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers&display=popup) [ ](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Ffour-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers) Copy link to this article Share this article Four ways to pray for Christian teachers shaping young lives 5 min read Contents Share [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Ffour-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers) [ ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Four%20ways%20to%20pray%20for%20Christian%20teachers%20shaping%20young%20lives&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Ffour-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers) [ ](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Ffour-ways-to-pray-for-christian-teachers) Copy link to this article Share this article Back to top In this article #### With World Teachers’ Day approaching, it got me thinking about how churches can support those in our classrooms. It’s something I see up close, as my wife is a primary school teacher. There is the joy when, at long last, a child joins their handwriting properly for the first time, or grasps a tricky concept in maths, but also the weight of planning, admin and feeling responsible for so many young lives. It’s made me increasingly aware of the need to pray for our schools. While teaching is sometimes thought of as a ​‘9-to-3’ job with long holidays, this year’s news headlines highlight the scale of the challenges schools across the UK face. One survey suggested half of teachers in England were considering leaving the classroom in the next five years, with many citing overwork and stress. More than three-quarters of those surveyed said they felt ​“frequently or constantly burnt out” at work. Ofsted inspections were branded a ​“risk to life” for school staff by one union, while the National Audit Office has said the system to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is ​“broken”. So I decided to ask a range of primary and secondary teachers, as well as a former secondary assistant headteacher, about what it’s really like being a Christian in education today, what they wished non-teachers understood about their roles, and how we can pray for them. Sponsored[](#) [ ![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](https://oakhill.short.gy/ea-web-oct) > “I wish non-teachers could experience a day in the life of a teacher… It is like no other job – with immense highs and lows and hardly any time to pause.” ![20250205 Heather Carruthers](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%271200%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![20250205 Heather Carruthers](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) **Heather**Former secondary school science teacher Here are four simple prayers to encourage Christian teachers: ## 1. Pray for vision for teachers “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. (Ephesians 2:10) For many Christian teachers, it’s more than a job; it’s a calling, part of the good work God has prepared for them to do. However, the demands and stresses of the role mean that, as Mark, a former secondary school assistant headteacher, told me, ​“many teachers are worn out and have forgotten why they went into teaching. Often, they need a refreshed calling or sense of purpose for them to see the impact and difference they are making in young people’s lives.” Pray for teachers to have their vision refreshed, to remember why God called them into teaching and the difference they make in children’s lives. ## 2. Pray for energy and resilience for teachers “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak”. (Isaiah 40:29) Every teacher I contacted asked for prayer for energy and resilience. Teaching is incredibly stressful, both physically from long hours and a busy environment, and emotionally from working with children. As a reception teacher with over 20 years’ experience put it: ​“in teaching we are expected to be master of it all. Sometimes we are a counsellor to a parent or a child, a child psychologist, a battering ram, a cleaner, a first aider, and then the font of all knowledge.” Another teacher highlighted just how much energy teaching takes: ​“One needs to be kind and fair, consistently. Part professional and, in the early years, part parent… Teachers also need to be enthusiastic – singing, reading and acting with joy. Imparting an awe for the wonders of gaining skills and knowledge. All this and more means the job takes so much energy.” There are also the many unseen hours put in before and after school and at weekends to create the best learning environment for their children. The demands of the role mean many teachers push themselves right to the edges of their capacity. It definitely isn’t a 9-to-3 job! So, pray for Christian teachers to be continually refilled with energy to inspire young minds and for the resilience to keep going. Pray that they would remember God’s presence with them in the classroom, especially on difficult days when they feel stretched, discouraged or exhausted. Ask that teachers would find time to rest and be refreshed in the Lord. ![Teacher web image](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%27675%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Teacher web image](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) It's not just teaching; planning and preparation takes hours outside of the classroom #### 3. Pray for wisdom in the classroom “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) Teachers make thousands of decisions every day, navigate tricky conversations with children, parents and colleagues alike, and have to know when to be firm and when to show grace. Pray for an abundance of wisdom from the Holy Spirit, Christ-like love and the Father’s grace for each day. Pray that teachers would have compassion and discernment supporting each child, especially those facing challenges at home, struggling with their mental health or navigating difficult circumstances. Also pray for wisdom for Christian teachers in sharing their faith. Pray that they will be a good witness and be able to share their faith sensitively with students and colleagues. #### 4. Pray for teachers’ relationships and influence “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) > When there’s a positive interaction between teacher and pupil, it’s wonderful, but too often it’s a conflicted relationship due to the stresses and demands of targets and performance ![Mark Hopkins](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%271200%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Mark Hopkins](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) **Mark H**Former secondary school assistant headteacher Teachers have a wonderful role to play in teaching and pastoring the next generation. If a child has a teacher they like and trust, it can completely transform their outcomes. So, pray for positive relationships between teachers and pupils. Pray that Christian teachers can influence their colleagues and that students would know that they are Christians and see them differently. #### How can you support teachers in your church? These prayer points are a great place to start. Could you use them to run a World Teachers’ Day prayer meeting? Or, if you know a teacher, could you drop them a message or voice note letting them know how you’re praying for them? Ask them what practical support they would value, or consider supporting some of our [member organisations that work in schools or support children and young people.](https://www.eauk.org/membership/our-members/find-an-organisation?category=children-young-adults-and-families) [ ![National Curriculum review sees major changes to religious education](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Teacher and students pixabay](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/teacher-4784916_1920.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/national-curriculum-review-sees-major-changes-to-religious-education) [#### National Curriculum review sees major changes to religious education ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/national-curriculum-review-sees-major-changes-to-religious-education) The National Curriculum review states that Christianity “unlocks a wider understanding of British culture” [ ![Anna Iliescu](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/anna-lliescu) [ Anna Iliescu ](/author/anna-lliescu) 24 November 2025 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/national-curriculum-review-sees-major-changes-to-religious-education) [ ![Special educational needs system at “breaking point” – how the church can speak up](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Pexels pixabay 207756](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/pexels-pixabay-207756.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/special-educational-needs-system-at-breaking-point-how-the-church-can-speak-up) [#### Special educational needs system at “breaking point” – how the church can speak up ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/special-educational-needs-system-at-breaking-point-how-the-church-can-speak-up) Over a million children are not receiving the education they deserve – what you need to know about the Education Committee’s latest report [ ![Anna Iliescu](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/anna-lliescu) [ Anna Iliescu ](/author/anna-lliescu) 21 October 2025 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/special-educational-needs-system-at-breaking-point-how-the-church-can-speak-up) Your reading Count on · turn off 0 You’ve read 0 articles in the last year. Behind what you’re reading is a movement of churches, organisations and individuals standing together. Join us and add your voice to the church being heard where it matters most. [Become a member](/membership/become-a-member/individuals/join-us) Privacy settings *›* Your article count is off. Nothing is being recorded on this device. Turn it back on --- ### About Reuben Grace ![]()Before joining the Evangelical Alliance in 2026, Reuben worked in communications for OMF International, a global fellowship of Christians with a heart for East Asia. He is the author of *A Taste of Asia*, a devotional adventure book helping families explore God’s love for all nations. When he’s not writing or editing, you can often find him with a good book, at his local model railway club or listening to the latest episode of ‘The Rest is History’. 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