We join with you in bringing these precious students before the Lord, and we understand how heavy and overwhelming this has become for you and for the parents who are reaching out every day with worry. We lift up ###, ###, ###, ###, ### and ### together, asking God to work in each young heart.
The behavior you describe, defiance, refusing to listen, hurting friends with mean words and with physical actions, grieves the heart of God because it harms others and reveals a heart that needs correction and grace. Scripture is clear that children are called to obedience, as it says in Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right, and again in Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. The tongue and the hand are to be used for building up and not for tearing down, for we read in Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear, and in Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. To strike out in anger or to wound with words is sin that needs to be lovingly rebuked and turned from, and we must call it what it is so these children can learn repentance and the way of love, for Jesus said in Matthew 22:39 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
We also remember that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child as Proverbs 22:15 teaches, and that God has given parents and those who care for children the responsibility to train them with patient, consistent discipline rooted in love. We encourage you and the parents to continue in prayer and to not grow weary, to correct firmly but gently, not provoking them to anger as Colossians 3:21 warns, Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not be discouraged, but nurturing them in the instruction of the Lord. We pray for wisdom for every adult involved, for God promises in James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. The anxiety you and the parents feel is real, and we are reminded in Philippians 4:6-7 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
We notice that your request did not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to gently share that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and that our prayers are heard. Jesus himself said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me, and in Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. It is by believing in Jesus Christ, that He died for our sins and rose again, that we are forgiven and brought into fellowship with God. We pray that you and these families know that saving grace.
We now pray together. Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up ###, ###, ###, ###, ### and ###. Lord, soften their hearts and turn them from defiance and disobedience. Convict them when they use mean words and when they hurt others physically, and teach them to speak with kindness and to keep their hands from harm. Replace their stubbornness with a willing spirit to listen and to obey those You have placed over them. Fill them with Your love and self control. We ask You to comfort and strengthen every worried parent and every teacher who feels overwhelmed, give them Your wisdom, patience, unity and endurance, and help them to train these children in the way they should go as Proverbs 22:6 teaches, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Let Your peace guard all hearts, and let these children grow to honor You and to love others well. We ask all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus, amen.