by Gayle Gernand
It's "Back to School" time for our local schools and colleges. It's time for students to hit the books, and time for teachers and support staffs to get back to the business of educating our children, our future. Schools today face a number of challenges that most of us did not worry about when we were younger. Issues like school safety, questioning of curriculum and methodology, political concerns, book censorship, and public school funding make educating our children an even more challenging responsibility.
It's time to start praying daily for our local schools and all that surrounds them. That means lifting up your local schools and the ones that your grandchildren or young friends attend. Pray for the special children you know by name. Pray for their teachers and support staff. Pray for their administrators and school boards. Pray for safe, nurturing, learning environments. Pray for a spirit of kindness and love to envelop their schools. Pray for a strong support network at home of family, friends, and relatives.
Remind your special children that they are allowed to pray in school. It's just school-led prayer that is not allowed. They can pray when they are worried, scared, lonely or just want to check in. They can pray when they are taking a test or having to present a project. God hears our prayers and hears our hearts.
Pray for Isaac
Isaac Brown is the 9-year-old grandson of Aaron & Linda Brown, and great-grandson of Louise Luke; and he is in need of our prayers. He was diagnosed with AML Leukemia the first of July. He is currently back at Riley receiving treatments. The family appreciates prayer for continued good response to the treatment, and for him to avoid any infection or complications throughout the process. Continued prayers for his parents, Josh and Emily, and family are appreciated.
A CaringBridge Site was created for Isaac. It‘s a caring social network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event. Visit Isaac's Site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/isaacbrown2
Site Name: isaacbrown2
Isaac can receive special post cards from you by clicking the link to send a free card. He especially likes jokes. https://www.rileychildrens.org/form/patient-postcard
Send Prayer Chain requests to michellekmiller@yahoo.com
Spread the Hope of Christ in Ethiopia
by Joy Grady von Kleeck, source Advancing Native Missions
Ethiopia has struggled through instability and conflict for years. In the midst of the chaos, and under pressure from the dominant Orthodox Church, evangelical Christians are spreading the Good News of Jesus
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
*Hunger continues to be a threat for many people in Ethiopia.
*Leaders in the Orthodox Church often oppose the activities of evangelical churches and ministries.
*Approximately one third of the population is Muslim.
WAYS TO PRAY
1. Pray for local Christians sharing the hope of Jesus and practical aid in a time of unrest and violence.
2. Pray for boldness and protection for Christians who are opposed and persecuted by Orthodox religious leaders.
3. Pray for Christians starting small businesses (e.g. beekeeping, haircutting) that will support church planting with their proceeds.
