If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19, NIV

Taylor Ray Elementary School in Rosenberg, Texas primarily serves a highly mobile Hispanic student population with over 75% of the students coming from low-income homes. It is predominantly a blue-collar neighborhood. Few children have parents who graduated from college, yet this school is a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School and has received numerous other accolades and awards. The average test scores for many years have ranged from 90 to 100 percent. The key to this school’s success is staff members who have faithfully met to agree in prayer for the last fifteen years. (See yesterday’s devotional—COURAGE TO AGREE: PART 1)

In addition to agreeing in prayer for fifteen years, another key factor contributing to this school’s success has been academic agreement.

This began when a new principal came to the school with a heart for unity and agreement among all grade levels regarding curriculum and behavior management strategies. We formed multi-grade vertical teams and together, created common academic and behavioral strategies that were implemented at all grade levels. Then, grade-level teams began to meet on a regular basis to share academic materials, successes, and concerns in order to improve performance. Teachers could no longer stay isolated, therefore, relationships improved and communication increased among the staff. A core team of veteran teachers was also established and they communicated regularly with the administration in mutually honest ways. Together, all of these measures brought professional continuity and a sense of unity the school had never experienced. Ultimately, this led to higher student performance.

Agreement simply works. It is a timeless biblical principle. Psalm 133 states that where there is unity, God pours out His blessings. Today, I encourage you to allow the Lord to use you in both small and mighty ways to bring unity and agreement to the staff whom you serve. He will pour out blessing after blessing upon the staff, students, and parents at the school where you serve Him with gladness and singleness of heart.

Lord, help us create professional agreement and unity in Your schools. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Copyright Don Clark.

Don is a member and a retired elementary special education teacher. He recently retired from his role as the Houston area director for Christian Educators.