July 6.

Carol Horne is ACT's Office Manager. She oversees the smooth running of the office, responds to day-to-day office enquiries, keeps ACT's membership records up-to-date and manages the Association's finances. Please pray for her today. 

July 7.

John Shortt (EurECA Travelling Secretary) will be teaching at the annual summer school (7-15 July 2008) for Christian teachers from the former Soviet Union in Kiev, Ukraine. Ask that God will richly bless John and all those attending. 

July 8.

Non-Christian teachers. Pray that they might come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Pray for the effective witness of Christian teachers to their non-Christian colleagues and for an openness to hear the Gospel message.

July 9.

Chris Hammersley, ACT Local Contact for Bath, says: ‘Year 6 children from five schools in Bath will be attending the 2by2 It’s Your Move Summer Workshop at Widcombe Baptist Church. Pray for the young people as they hear the story of God’s people entering the Promised Land and then think about their own move on to secondary school. Pray for everyone – staff and students – who will be making a new start next term.’ (9-11 July 2008). 

July 10.

2 TIMOTHY 4:2 (NRSV) Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.

July 11.

Exam stress. Lift to the Lord all those young people and adults (whether teachers or learners) who suffer anxiety and illness due to the pressure and stress of preparing for, and sitting, examinations – may God's love and peace calm frayed nerves and put things into perspective, allowing those who sit exams to give of their best. Pray also for those who set, invigilate and mark examination papers – that they will be honest and professional in their work.

July 12.

Jan Hodgkinson is ACT's secretary. She updates the ACT website, collates prayer requests for the ACT Prayer Diary and helps to produce ACT Now. Please pray for her today. 

July 13.

Senior teachers. Pray for those teachers who have embarked on (or are thinking of starting) the NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) course. This requires a real commitment in terms of time, energy and support from family members for anything up to two years. Pray for those who are testing whether they are being called to be part of a school/college Senior Management Team or to serve as a Headteacher/Principal. 

July 14.

ACT Local Groups. Pray that through ACT's network of local groups God will richly bless Christians working in education. Ask that God will raise up more Local Contacts and Event Organisers to carry out His work.

July 15.

South Korea. 17,000 South Korean Christians work overseas as missionaries. (Only the USA sends more people into the mission field.) Pray for the children of South Korean missionaries. Most attend English medium schools and many find it difficult to adjust to the Korean public school system when they return.  

July 16.

Education lecturers and researchers. Ask that more Christians will be drawn into universities, colleges and institutes where they might become beacons of inspiration and encouragement to Christians working elsewhere in the educational arena. 

July 17.

India. Alastair Reid, Principal at Hebron School, Ooty, says: ‘Pray for Hebron students moving on to college/university or a ‘gap year’. Ask for wisdom and strength as they face the future.

July 18.

PSALM 33:12-13 (Good News Bible) We put our hope in the Lord; He is our protector and our help. We are glad because of Him; we trust in His holy name.  

July 19.

Slovakia. Chris Elston’s language students attended a Christian camp this summer. Pray that seeds planted in their hearts will grow to maturity in Christ. Pray too for the new students who have joined Chris’ classes. Ask that he will have opportunities to present the Gospel to them. 

July 20.

Educational provision in UK prisons is chronically under-funded and under-staffed. Ask that God will strengthen and protect the Christian teachers who work in prisons. Pray that they will bring new hope to prisoners. Ask also that more Christians will be called by God into this often overlooked area of educational ministry. 

July 21.

Bulgaria. Kornelia Taneva, National Co-ordinator of the Bulgaria Association of Christian Teachers, says: ‘More financial support for ACT Bulgaria will enable the organisation to provide extra spiritual and professional support to Christian teachers by: organising more seminars and conferences; printing the membership bulletin twice a year and developing a website.’ 

July 22.

Teachers in small, rural schools often feel lonely and isolated. Training courses and support networks are not always sensitive to their needs or sympathetic to their workload. Pray they will receive support and encouragement. 

July 23.

Kenya. Edith Currie, AIC (Africa Inland Mission) College says: ‘Continue to pray for new staff to join the college. We desperately need a new Principal. The current Principal, who is also acting as coordinator for the church missionary board, is currently on leave, having recently been diagnosed with diabetes.’ 

July 24.

Teachers in pupil referral units work with students with extreme behavioural and/or learning needs. Pray that Christian teachers in PRUs will demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit day by day.

July 25.

Peru. San Lucas School in Arequipa is building four new classrooms to cater for increased numbers.  Pray for funding and good workmanship; also for the new adult literacy classes and internet lessons for parents. 

July 26.

COLOSSIANS 4:2 (The Message) Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. 

July 27.

Kenya. Edith Currie says: ‘The second year missionary students have returned to AIC (Africa Inland Church) Missionary College for their final term. Pray that this will be a valuable time of preparation for their future assignments. Pray for wisdom for those responsible for deciding where the students will serve as missionaries.’ 

July 28.

Schools and colleges facing inspection. Pray for students, parents, teachers and governors at these stressful times. Ask God to strengthen Christian teachers and educational leaders so they can be a source of encouragement to those around them. 

July 29.

School and college inspectors. Pray they will be honest and fair in their judgements and sensitive and encouraging in their feedback. Pray especially for Christian inspectors, asking that God will use them for His purpose.

July 30.

Nepal. Pray for the Christian Teachers’ Fellowship of Nepal as it continues to provide fellowship and Bible study for Christian teachers, and seeks to encourage its members to share their faith with non-Christian teachers. 

July 31.

ACT Saturday training events and Quiet Days. Pray that God will use these days to encourage, refresh, and equip Christians working in schools. 

August 1.

Zimbabwe. Christians working in schools, colleges and universities ask to be filled anew with the power of the Holy Spirit and blessed with wisdom, grace, love and courage. Pray they will be Christ-centred and Christ-like in all they think, say and do. Remember also the ministry of the Association of Christian Educators in Zimbabwe. 

August 2.

School and college administrative staff, caretakers, cooks, cleaners, etc. Lift to the Lord all who provide services in education which benefit learners of all ages. Pray that their contribution is never trivialised and that their professional and personal needs are not overlooked. Thank God especially for Christians in these positions and for their witness in schools, colleges and universities. 

August 3.

Switzerland. Pray for Daniel Kummer and Matt Kägi in their work with Vereinigte Bibelgruppen among Christian teachers in German-speaking Switzerland. Pray for them as they seek to promote a Christian worldview to those working in schools and colleges. 

August 4.

All schools and colleges carry enormous public expectations, as though they could save the world if they were properly run. Pray that the standards and values expected of schools will be backed up in family and public life. 

August 5.

Chile. William Wilson School in south Chile is operational again after a fire in 2004. Praise God for plans for training older pupils for the world of work and for a playgroup. Pray also for the new headteacher: Silvia Cofré.