16-9: July 2020

Thursday, July 30, 2020

By Nothing but Prayer and Fasting

Do you remember the story in Mark 9 when a man with a demon-possessed child brought the boy before Jesus for healing? The father had asked the disciples to heal the boy, but nothing had happened. Jesus pulled no punches about disbelief and had the man bring the boy to Him. Read the story. It's quite horrible what this family went through, but Jesus....... The father asked Jesus if He could have compassion on his son and heal him. Jesus said to him, "If You can'? Everything is possible to the one who believes." I love how the father immediately cried out, "I believe! Help my unbelief."

Jesus healed the boy and restored him to the father. When the disciples asked why they were unable to heal the child, Jesus answered, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." This kind of school year is like none other. Let's pray and fast for the opening of the school year.

I proclaim a fast for the 2020-2021 school year beginning August 1st. Choose a day before school starts and fast. There are so many different fasts from the Biblical fasts of Israel, no drink nor food for 24 hours to Daniel fasts, denying oneself the "king's delicacies." Intermittent fasting has become very popular in our day, but I am calling for a spiritual fast, a day to cry out to God specifically for our public schools: the students, the teachers, the paraprofessionals, the substitutes, the administration, the parents and the whole school community.

I will be fasting for you, dear Christian educator on August 1st. Please know that even though our leaders keep trying to figure out the best way to open schools for you and the children, no one really knows what is best. Our God, however, is King over all of creation. Let us show Him our belief. Lord, help our unbelief!

As always, I am prayerfully yours,

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.

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PS. Don’t forget to spread the word about the 1:16PM Prayer Movement and Around the Word in 180 Days:

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May God bless you as you prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.

Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools. CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.

Monday, July 13, 2020

But Our Eyes Are on You

Here’s an understatement. There has never been a start of the school year like this! With all the trials and troubles of 2020, we begin the school year with more unknowns than anyone could list. Yet, this is going to be an incredibly significant time to be a Christian in education. What an opportunity for us to serve our students and colleagues. I love the story of Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20, as he faced overwhelming odds he cried out, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

Ravi Zacharias once spoke of this passage and recognized three questions that preceded the king’s cry for help, "Are You not?" "Did You not?" and “Will You not?” In prayer, King Jehoshaphat asked, “Are You not God in heaven?” “Did You not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land…..?" and “Will You not execute judgment…?" (on the multitude of enemies against Israel). Christian! Our God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore! Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD and proclaimed a fast.

In the spirit of Jehoshaphat, let’s seek the LORD for this school year more than ever. I would like to proclaim a fast on August 1, 2020 and pray the three questions that he asked on behalf of Israel. "Are You not?" "Did You not?" and “Will You not?” For the state of education, “Are You not the God of all knowledge and power?” “Did You not bless this nation with our school system?” “Will You not hear from heaven and heal our land when Your people in the public schools pray and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways?”

In Jehoshaphat’s time, the people prayed, fasted, rejoiced and gave praise because the steadfast love of the LORD endures forever. That’s who we are in the public schools, dear Christian educator. More than any other year, we must stand on 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. This year we must be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you and to do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15).

When school begins and the students and staff gather, you will be different because of the Lord. People will notice you as you shine your light and love your neighbor. In times of trouble, Christians look to the Lord for power, love and self-control.

For a few practical ways to be a gift to your school (Prayer, Care, Dare) go to tinyurl.com/Prayer-Care-Dare

2020 will never be forgotten. People will continue to worry, but leaning on the Word of God for hope, love, mercy and peace will give the Christian educator the opportunity to bless their school communities across this great nation of ours.