The beginning of another school year is upon us. Where did summer go already?!!! I’m offering you 10 back to school prayers for your kids that you should be praying (adult kids too), as they go back to school! It’s a jungle out there, so let’s send them out covered in prayer and continue to pray these ten important back to school prayers throughout the school year. . . Free printable pocket list to carry with you!
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Table of Contents
1) That they would be courageous
I just moved my youngest into her college apartment yesterday and hugged her goodbye (tear trickling down my cheek;) A lot happens in our kid’s lives where we can’t be there to counsel in the moment or step in to offer assistance.
There are many times when they’re faced with peer pressure, a difficult teacher or professor, or a challenging situation with a friend that requires standing firm. Many of our children have a high level of anxiety on a daily basis. I wrote a post about helping your anxious child in the best way possible. You can find it here.
Let’s pray that they would be unafraid to be set apart, stand firm in their faith when it’s not easy, and to say “No” to unhealthy peer pressure. Let’s also pray for them to be strong and supportive and stand up for those around them that need help.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
2) For their protection
As a parent, I don’t even want to dwell on all the evils out there that could harm our precious kids, so let’s not dwell but instead pray for their protection from physical, emotional and spiritual harm.
Whether they’re still little, in high school or off to college, let’s pray for God to encircle them and guard their hearts, bodies, minds and souls from anything that may come to harm them. The enemy is active and present, looking to devour, but our Lord is mightier and we can trust that He’s loving and caring for our children 24/7.
Nehemiah 4:14 (NIV) After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Download printable below-10 back to school prayers for your kids 🙂
3) To have a heart of compassion
While making the drive to school yesterday, my daughter was telling me of a situation with a friend who has high functioning autism. Another of her friends was making some inappropriate comments about his social awkwardness. Out of a heart of compassion and love for their friend, another of her friends confronted the inappropriate talker and halted the conversation. This not only took courage, but also a heart of compassion to recognize the need, and come alongside a person who doesn’t make or keep friends easily.
Let’s pray for our kiddos to include people from all walks of life and recognize those who are lonely, depressed, sad or different in some way. Pray for them to love people as God does and find ways to be kind and supportive.
1 John 4:7-8 (NIV) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
4) To be a true friend
A friend that sticks closer than a brother–that’s a good friend! We all need friends who are loyal, trustworthy, good listeners, and supportive. Let’s pray that our children will not only make good friends that love God and them, but also be that kind of a friend to others.
5) To have a respectful attitude
A respectful attitude towards those in authority over them as well as those that are peers is vital for them to thrive in school and in society after they graduate. This is accomplished not only through words, but in attitude and deeds. So, let’s pray that by God’s grace, they will show respect to teachers, teammates, classmates and those in authority over them. It doesn’t mean they should be door mats, but should treat each individual as they would want to be treated–with patience, kindness and fairness.
1 Peter 2:13 (NIV) Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
6) Be a light in the darkness
Whatever the academic setting where our kids are, they should be overflowing with the love of Jesus and that overflow shines brightly. Even a lone candle in a dark room can be seen from very very far away. So shall it be even if they’re greatly outnumbered. Let the light of Christ and the Gospel of grace draw people young and old to be healed and transformed. Pray big for that!
Matthew 5:16 (NIV) In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
7) To be diligent–work hard
Grinding through a confusing math assignment, learning grammar or writing a 15 page paper can get pretty tedious day after day. Let’s pray that they will do this work as if they’re doing it for the Lord. Let them stay focused, work hard when they feel like giving up and finish strong.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Download printable below-10 back to school prayers for your kids 🙂
8) Pray for discernment
Everyone is surrounded by things that are outside of God’s perfect world view. As a high school student, I still remember one young man who carried his Bible to school every day and diligently read it at lunch so that he would have it fresh on his mind. I thought he was weird (I wasn’t a Christian back in high school), but now I appreciate how he placed great importance on recognizing false teaching or anything unbiblical.
Let’s pray for our children to recognize false teaching, to have godly discernment in the choices that come up and to follow God’s path of wisdom in the face of folly.
James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
9) To be humble and patient
This is truly counter cultural, but we all need to practice humility and be patient. We want our kids to be confident but not think of themselves as better than anyone else. They need a healthy view of who they are, rooted in Christ. So, let’s pray our kids can rejoice when other’s successes outweigh theirs, that they will keep a humble view of themselves, and that their confidence is in the Lord and Him working all things out through them.
None of us escapes trials, so pray they will be patient in the face of adversity and grow from it.
Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
10) For spiritual growth
There are so many things that draw our kids away from God and His Word. Let’s pray this school year that they will be thirsty for time with God and spend time reading His Word and praying. They’re going to learn so much academically, let’s pray that at the end of the year they have grown leaps and bounds in their relationship with the Lord too!
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV) For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
If you’re looking to get involved in praying with a group, Mom’s in Prayer International is a great place to start.
We can be distracted from our mission to pray, so I’ve created some really cute prayer cards to print and carry with you. They’re small enough to slip in a pocket and are great to share with friends. Grab them through the link below!
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