Sheila Quinn Delony

This Year, Lord

Teachers need more than words of encouragement. Many teachers feel called to the classroom because of a love for children or subject area. The open secret is that teaching is also loving parents, colleagues, and administrators; meetings, assessments, and class parties. Love of that scope comes from a higher power, but even when teachers turn to God in gratitude or lament, they may not have the words to express what they need in the moment. Suited for gift-giving, This Year, Lord: Teachers' Prayers of Blessing, Liturgy, and Lament is a collection of honest prayers that emerged from two decades of teaching and working beside teachers. The book is divided into six sections. Liturgies for Common Work are for the mundane, the ordinary, and the everyday. The section contains short prayers, meant to focus your mind for the work you must do and do again, such as grading papers or checking your email. Blessings for Seasons are prayers for special events such as field trips and class parties, as well as significant undertakings such as standardized testing. Prayers for Entering the Classroom recognize that we teach who we are. These prayers will guide you as you cross the threshold between the world at large and the work of the classroom. Prayers for the Community give voice to the need to love your neighbors and provide the words to pray for students, parents, and colleagues. Prayers of Lament provide solace on the days that leave you frustrated, angry, and despairing. They are honest about the brokenness of the world and the work, and yet proclaim God's ultimate sovereignty. Breath Prayers can be said in a moment. They can be easily memorized and on your lips when leading your class down the hall, during announcements, or in a fleeting moment of silence.