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The back-to-school season can be very exciting! However, preparing to send your child back to school can also present various worries, concerns, and anxieties. Back-to-school prayers are a great way to lay these concerns before the Lord.
As Christian parents, it is always comforting to remember that God loves our children more than we do. Just as we care about the safety, well-being, and success of our children, God cares about those things too.
When we partner with God in raising and protecting our children, even in school settings, we can rest assured knowing that His hand is upon them.
God wants us to cast our cares upon Him.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
God gives us peace when we choose to trust Him.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Back-to-School Prayers with Bible Verses
As a former teacher who spent 11 years in the classroom, I’ve experienced many first days of school. I understand the importance of prayer over our children, schools, and teachers. Prayer changes things! Here are some back-to-school prayers that you can pray over your children and their schools.
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you will protect [children’s names]. As they return back to school, I pray that you will keep them safe each and every day. I plead the blood of Jesus over them and I ask that you will strengthen them. Please guard them against the evil one. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT
Lord, I ask you to give [children’s names] wisdom. Please bring to their remembrance the biblical teachings that I’ve instilled in them. I pray that you will help them make wise decisions even when I am not with them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT
God, I ask you to bless [children’s names] with good friends. I pray that they will make friends that encourage them to do the right thing. Help them find people who will bring out the best in one another. Allow them to cross paths with others who live for you and walk according to Your Word. Please don’t allow them to get entangled with the wrong crowd. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher. Luke 6:40 NLT
Father, I pray that you will bless [children’s names] with great teachers this year. I pray that their teachers will be committed and dedicated to their education. I pray that you will prevent their teachers from trying to contradict what we have taught them according to Your Word. Guide their teachers and help them to encourage good, strong, and moral character in my children. Lead them to set a good example. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
More Back-to-School Prayers
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Matthew 22:37 NLT
Heavenly Father I pray that [children’s names] will love you with all their heart, soul, and mind. Help them to seek you first in their lives. May their love and fire for you never die out. I pray that their heart for you keeps them on the straight and narrow path that leads to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NLT
Lord, I pray that you will guide [children’s names] words and thoughts. Help them to be found pleasing to you. May they be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction when they are tempted by the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. Psalm 91:11 NLT
Father, I pray that you will protect [children’s names] and their school. Order the angels to protect them as they are on school property. I pray that you keep their school, the school staff, and other students safe and protected simply because my children are there, and my children belong to you. I pray that there will be no tragedies at [name of school] today or any day that my kids are present. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. Deuteronomy 28:13 NLT
God, I pray that [children’s names] will be the head and not the tail. Above only and never beneath. Help them to be leaders and not followers of the crowd. Help them to be a light that points others to you. I ask that you will give them great ability to learn and absorb knowledge so that they will be at the top of their class for your glory. Help them to behave well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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How Do You Pray on the First Day of School?
The first day of school is a big day for your child(ren). There are so many feelings and emotions and activities taking place on the first day. Here is a list of things to pray for on the first day of school.
Pray for Safety
Be sure to cover your child(ren) in prayer regarding their safety. Ask God to protect them and keep them safe no matter where they go. Command the angels to go before your children to protect them. Ask the Lord to help your child(ren) to be led by His Spirit and in the right places at the right times.
Pray for Peace
Pray and ask God to give you and your child(ren) peace today. Ask Him to fill your hearts with peace and surround you and your children with His love.
Pray for the Teachers
Pray for your child(ren)’s teachers and their safety. Ask the Lord to give them patience and wisdom to teach your child(ren) today and for the remainder of the year. Ask God to guide him/her and lead him/her to do what is best for the well-being of your child(ren).
Pray for Good Loyal Friends
Ask the Lord will bless your child(ren) with like-minded friends, and to connect them to kind, loyal, pure-hearted friends. Pray that your child(ren) can be a good friend to others and that they have the discernment to identify if a child is a good friend or not.
Pray for Favor
Ask God to give your child(ren) favor. Pray that they have favor with their teachers and their peers. Ask God to use your child(ren) as a light for His glory.
Pray for Discernment
Ask God to help you be vigilant with a strong spirit of discernment. Pray for ability to discern if something is off or not right with your child(ren) regarding things happening at school. Ask God to give you wisdom and guidance in all of your decision-making.
Final Thoughts on Back-to-School Prayers
The best way that you could ever prepare for a school year is with prayer. While it is great to get before the Lord by yourself to pray, consider praying with your children as well.
On the nights before the first day of school, pray with your child(ren) and allow them to lay their concerns at the feet of Jesus. On the morning of the first day, pray together as a family.
Throughout the school year continue to keep your child(ren) lifted in prayer, and expect it to be a great year!
Thank you for these beautiful and much needed prayers for our children!
My pleasure, thank you! It’s so important that we cover them in prayer now more than ever.
Wonderful Biblical verses and prayers – the world has truly gone insane and the children in the schools need so much prayer for their physical, emotional, and spiritual protection!
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s such a wicked world. Amen. It’s vital that we pray over the kids!