A prayer for our schools
Recently, I attended matriculation at Oklahoma City University, as a trustee. It's one of my favorite events.
The faculty, trustees, administrators and deans lined up outside, socially distanced and masked, while the incoming freshmen walked through to great applause. This year, the students seemed more excited than usual, dressed for the event, ready for the challenge. It was an exciting day built on top of high anxiety. OCU has done so much to prepare for health safety, but concern continues.
My heart goes out to everyone who is trying to find solutions to an impossible situation. There is no perfect answer this fall. There is just our best effort. And prayer. And support.
I couldn't find the words to pray for our schools, so I turned to an Oklahoma hero for a prayer. Lee Roland has spent his life dedicated to students and teachers. Retired after 30 years in public education, Lee is remembered as the principal of Tulakes Elementary. The school had high suspension rates, teacher and principal turnover and 100% free and reduced lunch when Lee arrived. A decade later, it was a total turnaround and amazing success story with a new standard of hope and excellence.
Lee continues his commitment to education as an author, speaker and consultant. He is also a minister and his faith drives everything. Here is his prayer for our schools:
“Our Father which art in heaven,
“Thank You that in a time like this, amidst the worst pandemic of our lifetime, that You are still on high and hear our most feeble cries and prayers. We acknowledge that You, alone, and no other power above, on Earth, or below can attend to our needs or cares.
“Father, we are primarily concerned, if not just outright frightful, for all involved as school readies to begin this fall. There is apparently no evident best approach to serving the children, whether to do so in person, virtually or both. In our flesh, we do not know; thus, we ask for Your guidance on those whose charge is to make such decisions.
“Father, for those returning in person, we pray for divine protection for all staff and students. We ask that You safeguard them physically and emotionally as the fear of illness can be equally crippling. We are well aware of the odds of the spread of this invisible and insidious illness. However, we are more aware
that You are omnipotent.
“Father, we beseech you for the children who will not return to their school buildings. These children will not be able to meet with their teachers as usual.
These children will not be able to interact with their classmates, as usual. These children will not be able to partake in school breakfast and lunch meals as usual. There will not be anything usual about their learning experience. So, we pray that You divinely bless their learning experience regardless.
“Father, finally, we know that some are at greater risk than others, be it elderly staff members in school buildings or the youngest and least-resourced children at home. However, again, we are thankful that in the words of that song of old, “You got the whole world in your hands.” Please bless as only You can. “Yours truly, Amen!!!”