The Week Ahead Weekly Updates and Communication for Parents

This weekend I urge you to join us in praying for our school. There are many people who do so already, but I can see value in us standing together as a community this weekend - families, staff, supporters and children praying together for the future of BCS.

You may ask why? I have taken some answers from the Wordgo app with links to Biblical reasons for prayer

God calls us to pray
...‘in every situation’ (Phil 4:6), ‘without ceasing’ (1 Thess 5:17) and without giving up (Luke 18:1). Your heavenly Father wants you to talk to Him - regularly, continually and persistently.

2. Jesus prioritized prayer

Jesus made communion with God the first priority in His life. His approach to prayer was intentional and disciplined. He often rose early and went to a quiet place where He could focus on His Father (Mark 1:35-38).

3. Our heavenly Father rewards us when we pray

The Father gives good gifts to those who ask Him (Matt 7:11). One of the 'good gifts' of prayer is that it changes us and what we ask for. Prayer that longs to know the Giver more than His generous gifts will move us to ask for what is best for us.

4. Prayer strengthens us against temptation

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told His disciples to, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Matt 26:41). Even so, the disciples fell asleep. Yes, prayer can be hard work; it can even be a struggle. But it is also a sure way to withstand temptation.

5. God uses our prayers to accomplish His will

Through prayer, God allows us to be involved in His work that will go on forever. When we pray, we participate in God’s will being accomplished “on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:9-10). What an awe-inspiring privilege!

6. Prayer is powerful and effective

Prayer has “great power as it is working” (Jas 5:16, ESV). Christ, who dwells in our hearts through faith (Eph 6:17), empowers us to live for Him as we commune with Him. We are revived from the inside out as we become increasingly confident in the effective outworking of our relationship with God.

7. Prayer gives God glory

“Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake” (Ps 79:9). God always hears the prayers of His children and answers with what we need at the right time. When ordinary people wholly depend on an extraordinary God, He gets all the glory!

8. Prayer helps us receive and give forgiveness

Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us” (Luke 11:4, NIV). When we humbly confess our failings before the Lord, He promises to forgive and cleanse us completely. Receiving such astounding, undeserved forgiveness frees us to do the same for others.

9. Prayer reveals the sufficiency of God’s grace

As the apostle Paul pleaded for deliverance from his ‘thorn in the flesh,’ God responded with all-sufficient grace (2 Cor 12:8-9). As we pray for release from our suffering, we can rest assured His power will be made perfect in us as we depend on Him.

10. Prayer keeps us thankful

Prayer is a way we can pause and praise God for every blessing He showers upon us. As we look back, we bless Him for His faithfulness. In our present, we praise Him for His salvation and loving-kindness. Looking ahead, we thank Him that one day He will present us “before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 1:24-25, NIV).

VAT
Also, the governors and SLT are planning to share information about our Fee increases next Friday. We remain committed to absorbing this cost until August 2025