5 Back-to-School Prayers for Families and Teachers

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A Back-to-School Prayer for Kids

Heavenly Father,
We thank you that, as your children, we can call you Abba. We praise you for being our Father. We know that you have good plans for our kids, and we ask that this school year, you wrap them in your arms and bring them comfort and security. We ask that you ban all anxiety, and in its place, unleash a desire to learn, to grow, and to mature. Give our kids peace, joy, and excitement during their school day. Help them to absorb the information taught and retain it for the future. We ask that lifelong friendships are formed, that learning becomes fun, and that knowledge is obtained in all the ways that will bring You glory.
Amen!

A Back-to-School Prayer for Teens

Dear Lord,
Being a teenager in today’s world is hard. We ask that you, right now, fill the teens going back to school this year with grace, mercy, and strength. We ask that you give them everything they need to succeed in ways that glorify Your name. Help them not be so inwardly focused that they miss the joy and blessing of serving someone else. Help them manage their time well. When they’re stressed, help them to remember to breathe and turn their eyes to You, the Prince of Peace. When they have discord in their relationships, equip them with wisdom and discernment. Let them be quick to listen and slow to speak. Help them respect their teachers and strive to do their best—but protect them from the pitfalls of peer pressure and performance. Let them rest in the knowledge that they are Your child, and that they are loved regardless of their grades or ability on the field.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Dolgachov

A Back-to-School Prayer for Parents

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. 

A Back-to-School Prayer for Teachers

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

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