As Christians we are continually encouraged and even admonished to pray for one another. As our children grow and go off to college our prayers for them are essential as they begin to face “the real world”. They need to remain in prayer as well. Here are seven good prayers for college students that you might want to use as you pray. These can easily be adjusted for use by the student or by others who love them and want to lift up intercessory prayers for college students.
Table of contents
Praise and Worship
Dear Lord, as I continue in this new college life help me never to forget to devote time of praise and worship to You. I know that you are the One who sustains me and the least I can do for everything that You have done for me is to dedicate time to You. Help me to know that renewing my mind in You is a necessary part of my life. Nudge me out of bed on Sunday and if there is a good mid-week service please make it so I can go to that too. Send new friends my way that are like-minded Christians who will attend services with me and hold me accountable when I am absent. I love you Lord and I want to praise and worship You. In Jesus name, Amen
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
Instructors and Administrators
College students have new leaders as they begin this venture in life. Remember to pray for those leaders – they are the ones that have the greatest influence on students.
Pray:
Dear Lord, I pray for all of my Instructors, Professors and Administrators. As we are told in the Bible, as a student (disciple) our teachers are above us and as we grow and learn we strive to be like our teacher. Please give them the wisdom, strength and courage to be the best instructor and administrator that they can be. Help them to stay healthy as they do well to teach us. Lord, if they do not know you as personal Savior, I pray that they come to know you and in doing so that their instruction and work is glorifying to You. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. (Luke 6:40)
Time Management
One of the most difficult things for college students to learn is time management. Success in college requires goal setting and time management. It is easy to lose track of time when students are making new friends and spending time in social gatherings. Time must be allocated to proper study and rest as well as fun.
Pray:
Heavenly Father I pray that you will give me the guidance that I need to have fun while still maintaining a schedule of proper study and needed rest. Help me to know that sometimes I need to “bow out” of a particular social event in order to meet the needs of academic success. Protect me as I seek your help in scheduling time for everything. I love you Father and pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Quizzes, Mid-terms and Finals
Help me to shine the light of Jesus to them so that they too can see how happy I am in You.
Dear God, I have learned so much and right now I just ask that you help me to remember all of those things. Please bring them quickly to mind so that I may successfully pass my tests today. Help also my classmates who are studying for exams, that they might have great success. I know that our success will glorify you Lord because everything that we do should be done as unto You. I pray for peace as I sit for the exams and I know that peace comes only from You. Thank you for listening to my prayer and I pray this in Your Son’s name, Amen.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Home Visits
Dear God, I so enjoy my independence while away at college. As I plan a trip home for a visit please help me to honor my parents as I obey the house rules that they have. I know that the rules are there for my own good. Help me to show that while I have gained independence during my time away that I understand that it is their house so I must obey their rules. Lord, I think this might be hard for me but I know that You will guide me and gently remind me of the honor that is due to my parents while I am in their house. Please grant me my desire dear Lord, In Jesus name, Amen.
Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; (Ephesians 6:2)
Relationships
Dear Lord, I come to you because I want to be sure that I am keeping company with this right people. God I know that relationships require careful cultivation and attention. Help me to be friendly to others and to welcome them into my world. Help me to shine the light of Jesus to them so that they too can see how happy I am in You. Remind me that sometimes I need to ask forgiveness when I have offended others. Help me to be forgiving when others have offended me. God I want to be a great example of Christianity to everyone I meet. I pray that you will help me never to forget that I must take time to work on relationships … just like a garden, for them to grow I must be devoted to them. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
Purity in Thought, Word and Deed
Dear Precious Father, as I learn to live independently outside of the boundaries that were set for me at home, please help me to make good choices that will keep my thoughts, words and deeds pure. I want to honor You with my choices. As I choose how I spend my time remind me that You are always with me and that my choices should be things that please You. Help me to stay away from the things that will temp me to do the things that I know are not edifying to You. Remind me that it is my choice and that I can talk to You any time that I am having troubling making good choices. Keep me in the company of others that have a good walk with You so that I too can have a good walk. I know you will guide me and for this I am so thankful. I know Your wisdom is pure, help me to desire only Your wisdom. I pray this through Jesus, Amen.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)
Prayer is an essential element in our Christian walk. Praying for ourselves and others is a privilege that is uniquely Christian. Feel free to share your own prayers for college students in the comments below.
Here are some more prayer articles for you:
Prayers from the Bible
Praying for those that persecute us
Prayers for courage
Resources:
The Holy Bible, King James Version
Would you like to get the daily question in your FB messenger? Just click the button below to get started.
Share this post
: | | | |
www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com
QUESTION: Prayer for College Students
ANSWER:
When saying a prayer for college students, it is important to realize the diversity of students attending university. Some students are right out of high school, others are preparing for second careers, while still others are retired.
Prayer for College Students – Some Ideas
- The decisions they make now will determine their work ethic, relationships, and so forth. Pray they will look to God for direction and wisdom.
- Ask God to encourage them to achieve their goals and pursue the dreams of their hearts.
- Pray they will find Christian friends and groups. Jesus sent His disciples out two by two. A mentor or an accountability partner is of great importance. Pray for a nearby church where they can grow in their walk with Jesus or find a relationship with Him.
- Pray that students will honor their own bodies and not succumb to worldly desires.
- Pray they will not get caught up in endless discussions that only serve to edify man and not God (1 Timothy 1:4). Pray for pure hearts, a good conscience, and a sincere faith that leads to love (1 Timothy 1:5).
- Pray for boldness in sharing their faith with others — for them to take hold of the gift of God that is not a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Pray that they will remember to keep their own prayer times with God and learn from reading His Word.
- Pray that their hope will be in God and not man.
- Pray that they, as people of God, may be thoroughly equipped for every good work and be prepared in season and out of season.
- Most of all, pray that they may have a Berean spirit to measure every spoken word by the wisdom and direction of God instead of the authority of man (Acts 17:11).
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
– We have all
sinned
and deserve God’s judgment.
God
, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him.
Jesus
, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He
died
for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was
buried
, and
rose from the dead
according to the
Bible
. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your
Savior
, declaring, “
Jesus is Lord
,” you will be saved from
judgment
and spend eternity with God in heaven.
What is your response?
Yes, today I am deciding to follow JesusYes, I am already a follower of JesusI still have questions
www.allaboutprayer.org
They move in to the dorm this weekend and will bring their bags filled with clothes and their boxes filled with books. But you see what they bring in their hearts – anticipation, adventure, love, regret, anxiety, motivation, and hope.
They are a mix of excited, ready, terrified, and wide-eyed freedom.
As he looks for a fresh start, remind him of your faithfulness every morning no matter where he calls home.
As she looks for community, remind her you are always with her no matter where she may go.
As he looks for adventure, remind him how you walk on water, turn water to wine, feed thousands from just a few pieces of bread. Remind him how you bring life straight up out of death, beauty straight out of ashes.
May she have the patience to believe even when she doesn’t see results.
May he know the greatest adventures are found in your presence, the greatest love comes from your heart, the greatest hope is that you’ve made his heart your home.
When insecurity, comparison, disappointment and failure knock on her dorm room door, may she turn to you with her questions rather than run the other way.
Weave your wisdom into the fibers of his soul, bearing the fruit of confidence, clarity, contentment and a light heart.
May he not despise his humanity, rather may he embrace it.
May she not despise her body, rather may she learn to receive and respect her shape as a gift.
May he not despise his weakness, rather may he see how weakness brings a daily reminder to trust.
May they not fear failure, rather may they thrive in the midst of it.
May they not be quick to judge, rather may they be patient and curious.
Help them to find true friends and be a true friend in turn.
Help them find their voice and to use it to be an advocate for themselves and for others.
Replace her shame with courage.
Replace his confusion with peace.
Replace her fear with a love that moves within her beyond her ability to understand.
May your grace surprise them kindly.
Amen.
This sending prayer for students inspired a second post for mamas: A Staying Prayer for Mothers of College Freshmen. May you find peace and joy in this season of transition.
emilypfreeman.com
This booklet of devotions is a great way for parents and friends to pray for the college students in their lives. Print as many copies as you need, and distribute!
Ideas for Using This Guide
- You could use this for the first 30 days of this school year to pray specifically for your student; and perhaps repeat it every month.
- Do it for 30 consecutive days or maybe use one page a week for 30 weeks (which is typically about the duration of 2 college semesters).
- Use the blank space on each day to journal your prayers or make note of when you see God answer the prayers you pray for your student. If you do add your own prayers on the lines provided, consider giving your student this prayer journal at the end of the 30 days as a way to show them you’ve been praying for them.
- Put your student’s name into the Scriptures on each page as a way to personalize your prayers. (Example on Day 1)
- Some pages have “extra” ideas of how you can take your prayers a step further and encourage your students as well. (More ideas on last page.)
- Gather with other parents of college students weekly, monthly, or each semester to lift up your students in prayer together.
- However you use this, we hope it is helpful to you as you encourage your student to grow in their relationship with Jesus in their daily life.
Printing Instructions
We have two formats available. One is a simple PDF that could be shared electronically. However, we recommend printing the booklet version as there is opportunity in the booklet for journalling. The pages in the booklet version are out of order, but when it is printed and bound (you can staple it in the middle of the page), everything should be in the correct order.
Download the PDF of 30 Days of Prayer for College Students – Parent Edition
Download the PDF of 30 Days of Prayer for College Students – Parent Edition Booklet
Download the PDF of 30 Days of Prayer for College Students – Prayer Partner Edition
Download the PDF of 30 Days of Prayer for College Students – Prayer Partner Edition Booklet
www.youthesource.com
