🎒 A Back-to-School Prayer 🙏

Pick Up a Great Deal in Our Back-to-School Sale

View in browser It's that time of year again. Yellow buses practice their circuitous routes, stores brim with school supplies, and teachers adorn their rooms with inviting bulletin boards and welcoming smiles.  Back to school is officially upon us.   Amid all the hustle and bustle of a new school year, one of the best ways we can prepare our kids is by praying for them. A few years ago, I ended the summer by reading through the Psalms and Proverbs. As I drank in the wisdom of these two books, I put together a list of Scriptures to help me pray for my children as they headed back to school.    I hope these prayers might be a helpful resource for you as well, so I've included them below. You'll also find a downloadable version that you can print out to put in your Bible or stick on your fridge door.    If you're looking for other resources, we have a back-to-school sale in the TGC store!   BROWSE THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE Praying with you,   Melissa Kruger Vice President of Discipleship Programming A BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRAYER I pray that my children would understand their need for Jesus and rejoice in the good news of the gospel. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death" (Ps. 68:19–20).   I pray that my children will love learning, that their hearts would seek to understand the world you've created. "The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly" (Prov. 15:14).   I pray that as they learn about your world, they would behold the majesty of your glory. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge" (Ps. 19:1–2).   I pray that you would surround them with friends who make wise choices and encourage their faith. "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (Prov. 13:20).   I pray that their teachers would be wise and gentle. "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. . . . A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit" (Prov. 15:2, 4).   I pray that they would work with diligence and put forth their best efforts. "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied" (Prov. 13:4).   I pray that they would be thoughtful with their words and respectful in their replies. "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things" (Prov. 15:28).    I pray that you would free them from the pressure of trying to be like everyone else, instead instilling in them the confidence to know they're uniquely made by you. "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well" (Ps. 139:14).   I pray that they would receive correction well. "The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence" (Prov. 15:31–32).   I pray that they would share their faith with others. "They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom" (Ps. 145:11–12).   I pray that when they do what's wrong, they would bear consequences that lead them to repentance. I pray that when they do what's right, you would bless their obedience that they may learn to love your ways. "The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways" (Prov. 14:14).   I pray that your Word would be on their hearts and in their minds as they learn. "Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD" (Prov. 16:20).   I pray that they would be kind to others. "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor" (Prov. 21:21).   I pray that you would give them the grace of self-control. "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls" (Prov. 25:28).   I pray that your grace would rest upon them. "Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!" (Ps. 90:17).   I pray that you would protect them from all evil. "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life" (Ps. 121:1–2, 7).   More than anything else, may their lives glorify you. "I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever" (Ps. 86:12). O Lord, hear our prayers! Amen. DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THESE PRAYER POINTS The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO, 65205 Unsubscribe

The “Biggies” and Best

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH The "Biggies" and Best SCOTTY SMITH    "Dear friends, continue to build up each other in your most holy faith—that is, in the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Gospel. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit—adoring Jesus together and bringing each other to the throne of grace. Eagerly, patiently, expectantly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ—for that day is the Day of consummate mercy, the fullness of eternal life and all things new. You'll earn nothing by living this way, but you will abide and grow in God's love together. What more could you want?" (Paraphrase of Jude 20-22)    Dear Jesus, many of us have Pilates, fishing, reading club, pickle ball, investing, "artsy," bocce-playing, pet-friendly, and/or "foodie" friends. Thank you for each and all of these groups, delights, and hobbies. For there is sweetness "under the sun" in all of these ways we get to share life.    But today we take to heart your half-brother Jude's  recipe for a well-lived life. We can build a very full life, schedule, and calendar and yet make very little space for the "biggies" and best: Thoughts of eternity Knowing and being with you Becoming healthy and whole Loving others and being known    Jesus, we don't want to be envied for a moment, but fools forever. Fill our hearts, days, and friendships yourself. It's not that life is to be one non-ending Bible study and prayer meeting. But you didn't come into this world to be an  add-on, life-enhancer, or merely our moral ballast. Jesus, you are God—the way, truth, and life—Creator and Sustainer of all things—our most loving Savior, reigning King, and returning Bridegroom.  Hallelujah!    Invade, inhabit, infuse  every area of our lives with your truth, goodness, and beauty. It won't mean living more "religiously," but living more  as yours. So  Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

Join Me, David Platt, and Garrett Kell for This Preaching Cohort

Bring Fresh Life To Your Sermons

View in browser GET FRESH VISION PREACH WITH IMPACT GAIN PRACTICAL TOOLS When you answered your first pastoral call, you were thrilled to preach every week. Each new sermon series brought with it the excitement of study and the joy of expositing the text for your congregation. Now you're several years into ministry and your initial excitement has met the reality of weekly ministry and the pressure of preparing a new sermon every seven days. You love God's word, but if you're honest, there are weeks when you feel stuck studying the text and writing another sermon. You need fresh vision.  This fall, The Gospel Coalition is offering a new cohort just for you. I will be joined by seasoned preachers who will inspire you to pursue excellence in expositional preaching. You'll hear how they preach intentionally, biblically, practically, evangelistically, and with a delivery that's effective.  WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN UP TODAY Rediscover your own passion for preaching! Glean insights from TGC Council members—these guys are some of the best preachers I know! Learn alongside other pastors facing similar struggles Be equipped to preach effectively in a variety of contexts Come away with practical skills for planning and delivering great sermons Develop your ability to apply the gospel in a way that changes hearts and minds FIND OUT MORE I hope you'll join us,   Mark Vroegop President of The Gospel Coalition YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN  The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO, 65205 Unsubscribe

What Do You Think About Jesus in Summer 2025?

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH What Do You Think About Jesus in Summer 2025? SCOTTY SMITH   "Fixing our eyes on Jesus—the author and perfecter, (heartbeat and hope, beauty and reward) of our faith" (Heb.10:3). "I want to know Christ"—better and better and better (Phil. 3:10). "To live is Christ and to die is gain"—because we'll get all of Jesus when we die, and we'll be made completely like him. (Phil. 1:21). Here's to Jesus, "who loves us, has freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." (Rev. 1:5-6).   Lord Jesus, I am weary of being asked my opinion about "this, that, and the other"—about conspiracies, melting polar caps, best names for professional sports teams, wind farms, cane sugar versus corn syrup for sodas, what world leaders, past and present, are most worthy of criminal prosecution, and endless etc. So, I keep coming back (Hallelujah) to the most important question you asked in your perfectly timed and designed 33-year life on earth as God incarnate—the "Yes" to every promise our heavenly Father has made: "What about you?" You asked your disciples, "Who do you say I am?" (Mk.8:29). Jesus, nothing matters more than (1) who you actually are and (2) how we live in response to who you are and what you've done for us. Because that shapes everything else—how we think about "this, that, and the other"—how we live and how we will die. Jesus, close the gap between who you really are and what we've been taught about you. There's always more of you we've yet to discover, marvel at, and treasure. Jesus, we will never over-know, over-love, over-adore, trust, and serve you. Close the gap and fill our hearts and the cosmos with yourself, Lord Jesus. So Very Amen.       Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

Spending More of God’s Grace and Less of Our Worries

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Spending More of God's Grace and Less of Our Worries SCOTTY SMITH "LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth is. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is" (Ps.39:4). And grant me a heart of wisdom, a Gospel-shaped schedule, and freedom to let go of stuff." Heavenly Father, you haven't made us for "15 minutes of fame" (Andy Warhol), but for an eternity of glorifying you and enjoying you. As this day begins, we praise you for our trustworthy hope and spectacular future. We also praise you for our current "in-Christ-ness," standing in grace, and rootedness in your love. Hallelujah! Only you know how many hairs and days we have left. Only you know the delight-filled Day you'll send Jesus back. So, in light of the Gospel, what should we spend more time doing? What've we been putting off that really matters to you? Where in Jesus' story of redemption and restoration would you have us invest more of our passion, energy, joy and tears—human trafficking, advocacy for the poor, elder care, missions to a particular unreached people group, encouraging missionaries and young pastors—seeing our present vocation more through the lens of the Gospel? What's bugging us that isn't all that "bug-worthy"? Who do we need to forgive, release, and move on? Where should we spend more of your grace and less of our worries? How can we stop letting fear get away with grand larceny in our lives? With whom should we spend more face-to-face and heart-to-heart time? Who's coming behind us that we need to teach and nurture in the Gospel? Father, none of these questions has a scorecard attached to it. It's Jesus' performance, record, and righteousness in which we trust and rest. But your grace frees us to ask the right questions, live freer, more intentional lives. So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.