Sometimes I get frustrated that the Bible gives us such little explicit instruction on the task of raising children. Honestly, there are few things that matter more than raising up the next generation to love the Lord. I have been a little weepy at the thought of my firstborn starting first grade this week. His love for life and zeal for God is amazing (and encourages me daily), but there is still so much I feel like we need to teach him.
As I was pondering all of this over the weekend, I began thinking about Jesus and how Mary must have felt when he was growing up. Obviously Jesus was the perfect Son of God and would never sin even in his youth…but I find comfort in knowing that even so, Mary and Joseph probably discussed the best ways to bring him up just like my husband and I do about our very imperfect children. The Bible tell us so little about Jesus’s childhood. But there is one tiny verse that encompasses the monumental years of his youth that I have been dwelling on:
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
-Luke 2:52
As school begins once again, this is the verse I am praying for my children, specifically for my oldest. It includes three of the most important aspects of a child’s life: mind, body, and spirit. Each of these aspects come with their own strengths and weaknesses, with obstacles and challenges to overcome in every facet of life.
In Wisdom
Lord, I pray that you will allow Caleb to grow in wisdom this year. I pray that he will learn everything he is expected to know academically. I pray that he will be successful in his studies and that he will be a diligent worker in what is asked of him. Most of all, Lord, I pray that you would allow Him to grow in YOUR wisdom. Help him to learn more about your character through his interactions with others. Help the scriptures and stories we have been sharing with him from your Word to be a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. Give us, his parents, the wisdom to help him discern between right and wrong in the situations he is faced with this year. Above all else, help him learn to love You more.
In Stature
Lord, I thank you for the lives of our children. I thank you that they are healthy. I pray that you will protect their bodies and help them to continue to grow strong. Protect them from illness and harm, Lord.
As school begins, I pray that Caleb will know that he is created in your image. I pray that he will know that is “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I pray that he will know that You created him exactly the way that you want him to be. At times, words from others can be cruel. Protect his heart and help him to rest in the truth that he is a priceless gift to us and, most importantly, to You…so much so that you sent your son for him.
In Favor with God and Man
Lord, I pray that you would allow Caleb to be a light for you. I pray that he would be obedient to his teachers and kind to his classmates. I pray that he will show kindness and compassion to everyone, but especially those who are treated poorly by others. Give him the strength to stand up for the outcasts. I pray that he will have integrity to do the right thing even when no one is looking. Help him to surround himself with people who will help him grow closer to you. I pray that he will be both a leader and a follower– a follower of yours but a leader for his peers. Help his words and actions to be pleasing to you.
All this I ask in the name of your son Jesus. Amen.
No matter whether your child will be attending public school, private school, or will be homeschooled, I think this prayer is all-encompassing for what we desire for our kids. And I fully realize I am asking God for a lot…I certainly don’t expect my children to be perfect. In fact, I need to pray much of this same prayer for myself. But this is what I most desire for the lives of my children.
When we place the well being of our children in God’s very capable hands through prayer, we are surrendering control to Him. I’m not sure there is anything else as equally scary, freeing, and comforting as this. All I know is that He is certainly more capable than I am!
PS- I thought I would create a printable scripture card for those of us who wish to consistently pray this prayer for our kids throughout the year. Stick it on your bathroom mirror or in the visor on your car…any place that you will see it regularly. There are 4 identical cards on a page…you can print one for yourself and give the others to friends/neighbors if you would like.
Click on the image below to access the printable file:
Is your child heading off to school soon? What else would you add to this prayer?
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One of the best ways you can prepare your children this year as they go back to school is through prayer. And praying Scripture over them is one of the most powerful ways to pray.
Here are five back to school prayers you can pray for your kids and grandkids:
Table of contents
1. Prayer for Peace
Lord, I pray that my kids (grandkids) will experience the peace of God this year that exceeds all understanding. I pray they will not worry about things they cannot control, but that You will guard their hearts and minds and keep them trusting in You. I pray they will not only enjoy the peace of God, but peace with God. I pray they will develop a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving as they look to You daily for their needs. I pray that You will give them the capacity for joy that bubbles up from Your peace.
(Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 5:1)
2. Prayer for Protection
Lord, I pray Your emotional, physical, and spiritual protection over my kids (grandkids). Keep evil far from them, and help them to trust You as their refuge and strength. I pray You will guard their minds from harmful instruction, and grant them discernment to recognize truth. I pray You will make them strong and courageous in the presence of danger, recognizing that You have overcome and will set right all injustice and wrong one day. Help them to find rest in Your shadow, as they live in the spiritual shelter You provide for them. Let them know that the only safe place is inJesus,and that their home on earth is only temporary.
(2 Thessalonians 3:3; Psalm 46:1; John 17:15; Psalm 91)
3. Prayer for Purity
Lord, I pray that You will create in my kids (grandkids) a clean heart and that You would constantly renew a right spirit within them, keeping their thoughts and actions pure and motivated by love. Guard them from temptation, and let them know You are always faithful to give them a way out and help to endure. May the words of their mouths and the meditations of their hearts always please you and edify others.
(Psalm 51:10; Matthew 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 19:14)
4. Prayer for Passion
Lord, I pray that my kids (grandkids) will develop a passion for the things of God. I pray they will hunger and thirst for You and Your Word and will love You with all of their heart, soul, and mind. Give them compassionate and generous hearts to love others as much as You love them. I pray they will always work and study with excellence, but that You will help them desire a servant spirit of greatness, rather than a worldly lust for success. I pray they will fall in love with Jesus over and over again.
(Psalm 42:1; Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:34-35)
5. Prayer for Perspective
Lord, I pray that my kids (grandkids) will develop an eternal perspective and purpose, not an earthly one. Help them to see life–and every challenge–through Your eyes, eager and unafraid to share with others the good news of Jesus wherever they go. I pray that they will set their minds on things above, not just what’s going on here, and that they will be rooted and grounded in Your love. I pray they will come to understand the extent of Your own love for them–that it surpasses all the head knowledge they will acquire in school. I pray they will be filled up with You from morning ’til night.
(Galatians 2:20; Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 1:21; Colossians 3:1-2; Ephesians 3:17-20)
Other Prayers for Your Kids
These are only sample prayers, and hopefully easy ones to remember. They are by no means exhaustive. Find your own Scripture promise or principle and pray those things daily for your kids or grandkids. But don’t confine your praying to the first few weeks of school. Your children and grandchildren need your prayers all year long–as long as you or they live. It’s the best protection You can give Your children or grandchildren! When we pray Scripture, God listens! And we can always know those prayers are in His will.
It’s Your Turn
What will you pray for your kids (grandkids) as they go back to school? Share your comments with us.
*For more from Rebecca, please visit www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com. To sign up for Rebecca’s new encouraging blog/newsletter, or to purchase her newest devotional books from Zondervan – Day-votions™ for Women, Day-votions™ for Mothers, and Day-votions™ for Grandmothers – please click here
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Now that the summer holiday is over, many children, parents and teachers are preparing to start a new school year. For some parents, it may mean that their child is starting a new school which can be daunting for both parties. For teachers it may mean preparing to teach a different year group or even moving to another school which can create joy as well as a fear of the unknown. This article seeks to help pupils, parents and teachers to have a great school year by starting the academic year in back to school prayer.
- Starting a new school year
- Back to School Prayer
- Back to School Prayer for Teachers
- Back to School Prayer for Pupils and Parents
- Goal Setting
Starting a new school year
A new school year which starts in September can elicit many emotions. Parents have the pressures and stress of having to spend lots of money on new school uniform; children are often eager to meet new teachers and friends and share their stories of their ‘summer holiday adventures’. Honestly, this preparation for a new start can cause students to feel sick with apprehension. For teachers, there may be anxieties surrounding the desire to ensure that all resources are in place for the first school day.
Therefore, it is important to start the new school year in prayer, petitioning and thanksgiving to God; counteracting all worries. By doing so, you will experience the peace of God, thus guarding hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Back to School Prayer
Back to school prayer is therefore important because prayer in general is a way of communicating to our Father who is in heaven, concerning all areas of our lives. Therefore, in order to start the new school year, we should pray that pupils, parents and teachers will have a great school year directed and led by the Holy Spirit; “and that the Father will send the advocate (the Holy Spirit) to teach all things…” (John 14:26). We pray this back to school prayer:
Father, we praise You for who You are. We give You thanks because You created us in your own image. Also we pray for knowledge and understanding for teachers, pupils and parents. We pray that you will be with our teachers and pupils as they start a new school year. We pray that you will give pupils tenacity as they seek for understanding and new revelations in their studies. Father we also pray for parents, that they will support pupils by building a closer working relationship with teachers and staff. This we ask in Jesus Name.
Back to School Prayer for Teachers
Prayer is the key ingredient in starting a new school year for all parents, pupils and teachers. Teachers are pressured by the demands of the role and therefore back to school prayer helps because teachers will then trust in the Lord and not lean on their own understanding or academic ability; But rather, giving the Father control of every area of their lives. By doing so, He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Dear Father, we pray for all teachers as they enter into a new academic year. We pray that this new school year will be fortified with Your peace, understanding and most of all Your love and direction. We ask that every teacher will learn how to wait upon You and that You shall renew their strength as eagles. Lord, help every teacher to be able to manage the demands of the job. We pray that they will run and not become weary; they will walk and not faint. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Back to School Prayer for Pupils and Parents
There are other important factors to consider when starting the new school year. We should start the new school year praying for pupils and parents. This is because pupils may feel anxious or afraid of the transition into their new school or new school year. It is important for children to be able to share their concerns with their parents. Parents should then show their child that they are there to support and believe in their child’s abilities.
Lord, we pray that you will help pupils and parents as they begin this new school year and allow every pupil to feel your presence and blessings each and every day. Father, we pray that pupils will not fear because Your Word encourages us to be strong and courageous. We pray that you will open the eyes of every pupil to receive new challenges, revelation and insight in Jesus Name. Allow every pupil and parent to support teachers as they educate children of all ages. Give every pupil a spirit of enthusiasm, motivation and self-discipline. Give every parent a spirit of understanding so that they will effectively listen to the needs of their child. Father, inspire every pupil to do the best they can this year. Amen.
Goal Setting
To help eliminate fear and anxiety, it is vital for pupils, parents and teachers to set themselves goals for the start of a new school year. When we commit our goals to the Lord, He will establish our plans (Proverbs 16:3).
Pupils should set themselves goals relating to what they want to achieve in the first half term of a new school year. A teacher’s goal may centre around pupil achievement and getting to know individual learners as well as maintaining high levels of retention. Parents aim to ensure that their child(ren) are settled into their new class and that there is a balance between family and home commitments as well as school work.
We therefore pray a back to school prayer for pupils, teachers and parents as they set goals for the start of the new school year. We pray that the goals of pupils, teachers and parents will be achieved in Jesus Name. Amen.
Also read: TEACHER PRAYER – How to pray words of encouragement
prayray.com
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It’s that time of year again – time for us moms to buy our kids fresh new school supplies, time to purchase exciting new curriculum and books for the upcoming school year, and don’t forget that amazing new fall wardrobe that will be way too warm to wear for another couple of months. 😀
These are just a few of the basic essentials that our children need when heading back to school – whether it’s homeschool, public school, or private school.
But let’s not forget the most important essential for our kids: prayer.
Nothing can take the place of a mother covering her children in prayer on a consistent basis.
James 5:16 (AMP) says, “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man {or mom} makes tremendous power available – dynamic in its working.”
Whose prayers will be more earnest and heartfelt for your children than your own?
A couple of years ago, I wrote the following Scripture-based prayers to help moms (and dads) pray over their children. (Homeschool moms, if you’d like the whole shebang, then click here for the Ultimate List of Prayers for Your Homeschool.)
Whether you educate your children at home or send them off to school each day, the following prayers will be a good starting point.
10 Back-to-School Prayers for Your Kids
Please Note: This is not a legalistic list of prayers you must pray every day. Instead, it is meant to give you a scripturally sound springboard for praying over your own kids.
Remember that the Greater One lives inside you (1 John 4:4). He knows your children and the situations they face each day, and He has all the answers. Never ever ignore or disregard His leading, His wisdom, or His inspiration by praying out of your own knowledge and mental ability. Always acknowledge His lordship and guidance.
Take these scriptural prayers, along with the leading of the Holy Spirit, and pray them over your children as often as you feel led.
1. Learning
Father, I pray that You help our children to grasp hold of what they need to know and learn. I ask You to give them the aptitude for understanding and wisdom. Thank You that they have the mind of Christ and that their memory is blessed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Daniel 1:17, 20 AMP; 1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV; Proverbs 10:7 KJV)
2. Knowledge & Understanding
Father, I ask You to help my children become well versed in every branch of learning, gifted with knowledge and good sense, and to be quick to understand. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Daniel 1:4 NLT, NKJ)
3. Wisdom & Discernment
Father, I pray that my children become skillful in all wisdom and discernment, and competent to stand and serve in places of leadership and authority. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Daniel 1:4 AMP)
4. Ability
Father, I ask You to give my children ability, understanding, intelligence, and knowledge. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Exodus 31:3 AMP)
5. Favor
Father, just as Jesus grew in favor with You and with man, I ask that my children would grow in favor with You and with man. I thank You that they are surrounded with Your favor everywhere they go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Luke 2:52 NIV; Psalm 5:12 NIV)
6. Strength
Father, I pray that my children will realize and understand that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Philippians 4:13 KJV)
7. Peace
Father, I pray that all my children will be disciples taught of You and obedient to Your will, and that their peace and undisturbed composure will be great. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Isaiah 54:13 AMP)
8. No Fear
Father, I ask you to help my children realize that You have not given them a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)
9. Safety & Protection
Father, I thank You that my children dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. You are their refuge, their fortress, their God, in You will they trust. No evil shall befall them, neither shall any plague come near their dwelling. You give Your angels charge over them to keep them in all their ways. They call upon You and You answer them. You are with them in trouble and deliver them. With long life You satisfy them and show them Your salvation! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Psalm 91 KJV)
10. Godly Friendships/Relationships
Father, I ask You for godly, loyal friends for my children. Friends who love purity, who are pure in heart, and gracious in speech, friends that will sharpen them and love them at all times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Proverbs 17:17 KJV, NLT; Proverbs 22:11 AMP; Proverbs 27:17 KJV)
Want more prayers to pray over your kids? Click here.
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