2024 Back to School Prayer

education faith prayer school society Aug 05, 2024

Back to School Prayer for Students, Parents, Educators, & Society

7 minute read
by Bethany Rees

The number one thing we can do to support children, families, educators, and society in general is to pray. So let’s take this opportunity to humble ourselves before our mighty God and pray over this school year. Please join me in praying:

Heavenly Father,

You are sovereign over all. We trust you Lord no matter the circumstances behind us, beside us, or before us. You are God over our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrow. Empty us of our pride and selfishness and turn our hearts and minds to worship you alone.

As we look forward to a new school year, we will not be anxious about what the new year holds because we humbly come to you in prayer for our students, parents, educators, and society.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

Lord God, be with our students.

You personally know each child Father and the number of hairs on their head. For it is you that has uniquely created them just as they are, and it is you that has filled them with personality and talents to be able to do your will.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Lord, we ask that you draw their hearts closer to You. Keep their eyes focused on you so they hear your voice over the voice of the world. Put a hedge of protection around them Father and remove ungodly influences from their lives. Quiet the shouts of the world and its tantalizing distractions and influence from pop culture and technology.

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8

Build their budding identities in you alone. In Jesus' name remove any lies they believe about themselves. We rebuke feelings of unworthiness, rejection, shame, selfishness, and anger. Fill them with your love, and let them know how worthy and valuable they are to you.

Bless our children, and protect them this school year.

“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

Lord God, be with our parents.

We thank you for our precious children. We know they are a gift from you.

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

God, wake us up from our busyness and worldly idols that distract us from you and distract us from our children. We have become so busy in our daily pursuits, and ensnared by our technology and work.

Show us how to love and lead our children in knowing you personally. Remove our distractions so we are fully present in the lives of our children.

Remove worldly pressures to achieve or excel in worldly things that cause us to imitate the world rather than you. As parents, we can often put pressure on our kids to do it all and excel at everything, thus losing our focus for our number one job as believing parents… to disciple our children (train/grow them in faith and obedience). Open our eyes to who you created our children to be and help us nurture the faith and gifts you’ve placed in them.

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

Father, you know how our hearts and minds have become filled with anxiety from the chaotic world we are raising our children in. Remind us of your sovereignty over all the earth and build our faith now so that we will stand firm when hardships come. Let us be examples of the fruit of your Spirit living in us.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23

Give us patience through our children’s many stages of development and to proactively support their discipleship and education. Guide our steps and our words as we mold our children and prepare them to leave our home for their own.

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6

Lord God, be with our educators.

It takes an absolute village to support our children. From our school bus drivers, custodians, and cafeteria workers to our paraprofessionals, teachers, counselors, and administrators, God we thank you for those serving our children every day.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Father, cover each educator with your purpose, your peace, and your love.

Give them the heart to be a positive relationship and influence on our children, greeting every face with love and respect. Let them see every child they interact with as your child.

“Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37

“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” Matthew 18:10

Give them the strength they need to meet the demands of their jobs. Guide their plans and student interactions for success and blessing.

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed….We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Psalm 16:3,9

As schools often become the battleground of society where family dynamics, sociology, economics, and politics meet, Father, guide our educators with clarity to always focus on what is most important according to your will.

Bless our educators and let their hearts, hands, and feet bless every child and family they serve. Bless our educators’ families as they often sacrifice their family time to serve others.

Lord God, be with our society.

We fight so hard for knowledge, control and to prove why “our side is right.” Lord, remind us that you alone are sovereign and worthy to be praised.

“Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.” Ecclesiastes 11:5

We confess that anxiety, blame, conflict, and divisiveness plagues our society. So Father, draw us closer to you so that we may imitate your love, peace, and unity instead.

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

During this election year, help us all to remember that we serve you and your kingdom more than our nation. No matter the debates, accusations, or the results from this election season, let us always be the light and salt that draws others to you by loving you and others wholeheartedly.

“Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 14-22

Lord God, Be with this school year.

Bless our children, parents, educators, and society. Let us all seek you first and let us be full of joy, prayer, and thanksgiving.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Know Better. Do Better. Live Better. Pray Without Ceasing.

Rocks before Sand!

Scripture:

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Theme Song:

I Speak Jesus - Kings Porch (Lyrics)

References Used:

Let's Connect

Together, we build a life that focuses on the essential rocks

We hate SPAM. We will never share or sell your information, for any reason.