A Back to School Prayer for Your Child

By: Tara Smith 

Photo courtesy of Getty Images 

Back to school is here for some and quickly approaching for others. Yesterday you read a beautiful prayer for all the wonderful teachers—the warriors on the front line of the academic journey for our children. Today I’d like to provide you with a prayer to pray over (or with) your children as they head back to their classrooms.  

Back to school is such a fun and exciting time, but it can be a time of anxiety and nerves for some kids.  All the unknowns and the change can be a little scary.  We want our kids to choose good friends, to have a great relationship with their teacher, to grow academically, emotionally and spiritually, etc.  Committing our little people to prayer is the best thing we can do to protect them and “fight” on their behalf for the best year possible. 

Dear Lord, 

Be with my child as they go about their day today.  Protect them in every way, sending angels alongside them.  Let them remember whose they are and let that guide them in making positive and healthy choices.  

Help them to see their value even when others don’t.  Let all their relationships be life-giving.  Let their hearts grow with compassion, and kindness, and the ability to truly see others.  Holy Spirit guide their thoughts, words & actions.  

Help them to grow academically, but more importantly help them to grow in you. May your truth reign in their hearts and minds. I surrender my most precious possessions to you, God, because you care for them perfectly. We trust you and we love you. Amen. 

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26

May your first days of back to school be filled with fun, excitement, and lots of grace. My hope is that this prayer would guide the position of your heart as you send your little ones off to school.  That you would have a heart fully surrendered to trusting the Lord to watch over them while you can’t. That you would have grace with yourself and your family as tensions rise with the tides of homework, and schedules, and sometimes grumpy kiddos.   And that no matter what the days may bring, you would choose joy in the mundane. You’ve got this, mama!