*Pray Hard * Work Hard * Trust God*

This small, wooden sign behind my desk reminds me of what is most important: Prayer. Continual connection with our Creator. Continual reliance on our Savior for wisdom, strength, patience, and courage.
Of course, we are called to work hard and be vigilant in our mission. Raising and educating children is not for the faint of heart but, as I was reminded recently, amidst the battle for the hearts and minds of the next generation, “Prayer is the tip of the spear.”

Here at WCS, prayer is woven throughout our days. Classes, meals, concerts, meetings, and other events begin with prayer. Our teachers gather for prayer each morning. Following each of our games, WCS student-athletes invite the opposing teams to join us at midfield or midcourt, to end the competition in prayer.  

For nearly eight decades, our school has been bathed in prayer.  Faithful women and men–prayer warriors–have gone before God’s throne on behalf of our students, parents, teachers, alumni, and the entire WCS community. We exist because God has honored the prayer, hard work, and faithfulness of His people.    

But, let’s be honest, spending time in prayer is often a struggle. Not because we do not want to, but because we often allow the busyness of life and our distraction on lesser priorities pull us away from God’s presence. This struggle is nothing new.  Even during the 1800s, the Christian evangelist and orphanage director, George Mueller, faced a brutally hectic schedule each day. Speaking of his time with God, he wrote: “I look upon it as a lost day when I have not had a good time over the Word of God. Friends often say, ‘I have so much to do, so many people to see, I cannot find time for Scripture study.’ Perhaps there are not many who have more to do than I. For more than half a century I have never known one day when I had not more business than I could get through. For four years I have had annually about 30,000 letters, and most of these have passed through my own hands.”

“Then, as pastor of a church with 1,200 believers, great has been my care. Besides, I have had charge of five immense orphanages; also, at my publishing depot, the printing, and circulating of millions of tracts, books, and Bibles; but I have always made it a rule never to begin work until I have had a good season with God and His Word. The blessing I have received has been wonderful.”

Like millions of Americans, this first week of May, WCS will recognize the National Day of Prayer. But for that day, and every day, let us remain in a continual posture of prayer. Let us “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
​
Educating for Eternity,
Jonathan Nazigian
WCS Headmaster