When my daughter went to kindergarten, I was a mess. All of the parents lined up and clapped as our precious five-year-olds walked into the school building for the first time. As other parents went on with their day, I felt frozen, not sure what to do or how to let go. Another mom noticed and asked if she could pray for me.
Her prayer made all the difference. I was able to let go and remember that God loved my little girl even more than I did.
5 Back-to-School Prayers for Children, Teachers, and Parents
As this school year begins and you send a kid you love back to school, I’d love to empower you the same way—here are five back-to-school prayers for children, teachers, and parents you can pray.
A Prayer for Children in School
God, I thank You that in Christ, the child I love is never alone. Thank You for watching over them, caring for them, and giving Your angels charge over them. I pray they submit each step they take and decision they make to You, and that You’ll empower them with the fruit of Your Holy Spirit in every activity and interaction.
In the name of Jesus, I stand against attacks of anxiety, disordered thinking, overthinking, self-loathing, and discouragement toward the child I love. I pray You’ll preserve their child-like faith, innocence, safety, and perseverance. God, You are good and You have created my child for good works. Please give them enjoyment and satisfaction in their daily tasks. When they come up against obstacles, I pray they won’t give up, but will instead cling to You, and trust You to see them through. Empower my child with truth, help them to learn, inspire them to be creative, and fill them with Your joy. I pray Your light will shine through them as a ray of hope to those around them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer for New Friendships
God, I pray that the child I love will have a deep and fulfilling relationship with You, and that their relationship with You will overflow into their relationships with others. I pray for them to be a good friend and to make good friends. Please give the child I love discernment and wisdom as they interact with other children and choose their closest friends. Protect my child from ungodly influences and insincere friendships. Help my child to heal and turn to You if they do experience negative peer pressure or rejection. Please help my child develop deep friendships that bring loving encouragement and conviction to follow You daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer for Student Safety
God, You know the intimate details of the lives of every single student in school. I pray that they will come to know You intimately as well. I pray for safety for every child at school and that they will all experience Your kindness, goodness, and love through other children and staff members who follow You. I pray for a community of kindness, positive influence, and encouragement to flourish, so that every child learns they belong, they have hope, and they are precious to You. For those students who are struggling in school or in their home environments, I pray that You will lift up their weary heads, give them successes to find joy in, and provide safe, trusted friends and staff members to lean on and confide in. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer for Teachers and School Staff
God, I thank You for the adults who have dedicated their careers to serving the children of our community. Please refresh and refill each person on staff at my child’s school with creativity, encouragement, support, and wisdom. Supply teachers and staff with the resources they need physically, emotionally, and spiritually to provide safe, nurturing environments and effective, engaging lessons that spark joy and curiosity in students. I pray staff members will speak kindness and hope over their students and each other. Please protect the staff community from dissension, discord, and drama. Instead, help establish the school as a place of unity, collaboration, and support.
God, please help these teachers and staff members find rest, stamina, and strength as they start each new day fresh with their students. Please guide them to discipline strategies, interventions, and management plans that offer love and support to each child. Please give each staff member a supernatural strength and ability to connect in a meaningful way with every student and see them the way You do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer for Parents of Students
God, remind me in my moments of worry, frustration, or anger that You love my child even more than I do. Please help me to trust You fully with my child’s safety, security, welfare, and health. Reveal to me my child’s deepest needs and show me how to pray over and disciple my child. When I have concerns over the decisions made by school staff or the behavior of other students, please help me to step into conversations with curiosity, kindness, tact, and confidence. Help me to effectively advocate for my child in a way that encourages and inspires the school’s staff to seek services and strategies that support my child.
Please show me how I can be a servant to the staff, students, and other families in my child’s school. Give me favor and influence in the community so that I can shine Your light, bring Your encouragement, and spread Your love, God. I thank You for the community You have gifted me with, and I pray You’ll help me to fully occupy the space You created for me to fill.
God, I rest in the fact that You are good and You are working all things together for those who love You. I love You, God. I trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Start a Daily Habit of Prayer for Your Kids
This back-to-school season, covering your kids in prayer doesn’t just have to be for their first day. This is an opportunity to start a daily habit of praying over your children, their friends, their teachers, and yourself! Your prayers are powerful and draw you closer to God. He is always listening and available.