What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him? Deuteronomy 4:7, NIV
One of the greatest gifts we have as believers is the nearness of God. He is not distant, distracted, or indifferent. He is present.
For Christian educators, this truth is especially powerful. Every school day brings opportunities and challenges that can leave us exhausted and overwhelmed—difficult conversations, anxious students, heavy decisions, overflowing workloads, and times when we wonder if what we do truly matters. Yet in the middle of it all, God is near.
His presence is not confined to a church building or reserved for Sunday mornings. He walks with us into our schools. He sits beside us at our desks. He strengthens us when we are weak and gives wisdom when we do not know what to say. The God of the universe willingly meets with us whenever we pray.
What a remarkable privilege.
And yet, it is easy for prayer to become routine instead of relational. We can rush through our days carrying burdens God never intended us to carry alone. But today’s verse reminds us that what sets God’s people apart is the nearness of the Lord Himself.
So today, do not simply survive your school day—invite God into it. Pause before the first bell rings. Pray over the students who walk through your classroom door. Ask God to help you see your coworkers and students the way He sees them. And don’t pray alone if you don’t have to. Seek out other Christian educators and commit to encouraging one another in prayer. There is strength in remembering together that God is already at work in your school.
Lord, I am so in awe that when I come to You, You always come near to me. May I never become so accustomed to this reality that I forget to stand in awe of your faithful presence. Today I choose to draw near to You, trusting that You will show up. Amen.
Copyright Karen Seddon.Â
Karen is the Florida Director for Christian Educators and the author of several books encouraging educators in prayer.
