Back-to-school time has arrived, and this year let’s start it with back-to-school prayers for our children. Whether you are dropping your kiddos off in the drop-off line, pulling up some remote learning on the computer, or, like me, pulling up a chair at the kitchen table to homeschool them, back-to-school time evokes emotions ranging from excitement to loss to overwhelm to relief. Supplies have been bought, forms signed, summer memories made, and the page turns to a new phase.
And boy am I glad I don’t have to face any phase of parenting on my own. How grateful I am for a Heavenly Father who hears my prayers and joins me each step of the way! I pray these seven ways back-to-school prayers for our children help you lift your children up in prayer during this back-to-school time and all through the year.
1. Love God
Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38
PRAY: That in a world of things, ideas, people pulling at their hearts they will choose to give God their whole heart. That they will spend time getting to with God so that their relationship with him can deepen. That their decisions and their priorities will reflect God’s first place position in their lives.
2. Love Others
And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39
Pray: That they will love because they are loved—both by their Heavenly Father and their earthly parents. That they will choose to see others as God sees them. That they will be willing to love the unlovable and those who are unloving. That each day they will look for someone to show God’s love to.
3. Walk in the ways of the Lord
Teach me your way, Lord that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11
Pray: That step by step they will walk in the ways of the Lord. That their little hearts and minds will recall what we have taught them and be open as we continue to teach them. That they will not be sidetracked on roads that look good but aren’t God’s way.
4. Speech
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3
Pray: That they speak only words that build up and bless others (Ephesians 4:29). That unwholesome talk and words would not be a part of their vocabulary. That the jokes they tell and the way they speak about others would be glorifying to God and not tear anyone down.
5. Peace
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Pray: That when lessons overwhelm God’s peace would fill their minds. That when chaotic schedules leave everyone hurried and harried God’s peace would calm. That when emotions swirl God’s peace would settle. That when anxiety threatens, peace would prevail.
6. Safety
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3
Pray: That they would have physical safety as they go about their days whether in the halls, on the street, or on the swingset. That they would have spiritual safety and protection from the attacks of the evil one. That they would have emotional safety from words and actions of others who seek to hurt.
7. Grow in Grace and Knowledge
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
Pray: That their minds would expand to encompass the knowledge they are to learn this year. That they would have eyes to see God at work and that their faith would grow as a result of that. That they would become more gracious to others as their relationship with God grows.
A back-to-school prayer for our children
Heavenly Father, as we begin this new school year with our children, we lift them up to you for they are your children. We know that you love them and have a plan for them. As they go back-to-school, help them to walk in your ways, to love You first of all and to love those around them—family, friends, those who seem unlovely. Help them to extend your love to those around them because you first loved each of us. Guard their speech that it may benefit everyone who listens. When moments of fear, chaos, or anxiety arise, calm them with the peace only you can give. Watch over them and keep them safe. And as they learn new concepts and ideas this year may they measure them to your truth. Most of all, Father, help them to grow in their relationship with you and as they do so help them to be gracious to those around them. We trust you with this new school year.
Friend, I know sometimes it seems like there is not much we can do especially in these challenging times. But prayer has power, and these back-to-school prayers for our children are one huge way we can do battle for them this school year. Blessings to you, mama, as you pray.
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