Father,
We ask that, right now, this school year, you’ll give parents everything they need to be the best support they can be for their children. If the parent is homeschooling, Lord, please give them the time, energy, and patience needed to lead their kids well. And if their kids are going away to school, we ask that you equip them to encourage, support, and come alongside the teachers in ways that benefit everyone. We ask that you strengthen parent/child relationships this school year, and that the stress of homework and busy schedules won’t create a divide of short tempers and irritation, but rather that you’ll overcome with the fruits of the Spirit. Fill each home and family with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. We ask that you bless them.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Holy Spirit,
We ask that you equip our teachers with everything they need this year—and that list is long! Being a teacher has always been a high-stress, incredibly important, and often undervalued job, and in recent years, even more so. So, this school year, we ask that you bless our teachers in special ways. Let them feel supported and held. Let them feel encouraged and equipped. Give them confidence. Give them wisdom. Help them as they navigate not only the educational needs of their many students but also their spiritual and emotional needs. Give them a listening ear, a long fuse, and energy for the tasks before them. Teachers make such a difference in the lives of students every day, so Lord, please help them feel appreciated, loved, and motivated to continue through the mundane tasks in their daily schedules. Put a burden on the hearts of our teachers’ students and parents to pray for them regularly throughout the year so they never feel alone.
Bless them, Lord, for Your glory.
Amen.
A Back-to-School Prayer for Health and Safety
Dear Jesus,
The world can be a scary place at times. Parents often struggle with fear and anxiety as they drive away from school after dropping off their students. Likewise, teachers and students can feel the weight of the “what-ifs” throughout the day. So, we ask that you provide a blanket of peace and security this school year over our parents, teachers, and students. We ask for protection and safety for them all. Keep our children, their families, and the school staff safe from the various dangers of this world. At the same time, guard their minds and hearts from unnecessary fear and worry. We also ask for good health for everyone involved. Even when families have different concerns, routines, and opinions about school policies or precautions, Lord, we all agree that we want our children to be healthy and safe. Please protect our students, families, teachers, and school staff from illness, injury, fear, and harm. Give school leaders wisdom and clarity as they make decisions, respond to needs, and maintain a learning-friendly environment. Give everyone calm minds and calm hearts in the face of any emergency, and provide what is needed to navigate those situations well.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions about Back-to-School Prayers
- What is a good back-to-school prayer?
A good back-to-school prayer asks God for peace, protection, wisdom, courage, healthy friendships, patience, and a heart ready to learn and serve. - How can I pray for my child before school starts?
You can pray for your child’s safety, confidence, friendships, learning, emotional health, respect for teachers, and awareness that God is with them throughout the day. - How can I pray for teachers during the school year?
Pray that teachers would have wisdom, patience, endurance, encouragement, support, creativity, and peace as they care for students and manage many responsibilities. - What Bible verse is good for back to school?
Proverbs 4:11 is a helpful back-to-school verse because it reminds us that God instructs us in wisdom and leads us along straight paths. - How can parents pray when they feel anxious about the school year?
Parents can pray honestly about their fears, ask God for peace, trust Him with what they cannot control, and remember that He cares for their children even more than they do.
This article is part of our larger Prayer resource, designed to inspire and encourage your prayer life during uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.
Prayer for God’s Help
Prayer for Strength
Prayer for Protection
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
The Daily Prayer devotional is an easy way to start your day with prayer, read today’s prayer, and sign up to receive it by email.
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