I firmly believe all school choices are valid and no single type of schooling is right for all families. Public school is the right choice for our family, but I know it isn’t right for all families. So, wherever your children are going to school, public, private, or at home, here is a back-to-school prayer to pray with your children.
You can read more about “Should Christians Choose Public School?” here.
Back to School Prayer
God, as we send our children back to school,
we ask for your blessing.
We know you love our children more than we could,
Which feels impossible, but is true.
We know you are in the schools,
Even if it seems you are not welcome.
We know You are in control,
Even when it feels like things are out of control.
Lord, make your presence known.
For our children, in our children, by our children.
Guide your followers to experience and share
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
Goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Bring patience, creativity, and kindness
To the staff and administration.
Let justice and mercy be felt,
So that it would feel like a safe haven for all.
We pray You would keep out bitterness, hate, and judgment.
Let our children show Your love to their neighbors
And be quick to restore broken relationships and
Make right their wrongs.
We know that school is more than reading, writing, and math.
We pray that children will be nurtured and nourished
Through the food, the people, the time, the volunteers,
Their friends, and skills they learn.
May the adults in the schools see beyond the test scores
And grades, to the hearts and needs of children.
May there be joy, play, creativity, health, safety, and life
For children and adults.
We also pray for wisdom in choices by children, teachers,
Administration and school boards.
We pray for children to learn how to think and learn,
Not just what to think and learn.
Lord, finally, we pray for families.
For all the families impacted by the schools,
That they may feel supported, heard, valued, and equipped.
May they be partners with the school for the sake of the kids.
You are good God.
We thank you for those in the schools
Who serve and dedicate their lives to our children.
May they know they are loved and treasured.
In Jesus’s Name, amen.
3 Verses for Back to School
Here are three short and simple verses for your kids to take with them back to school. Memorize them together, write, or draw them for a simple way to encourage your kids throughout their day.
Colossians 3:23
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Psalm 56:3
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”
A Breath Prayer for Parents
Even as a parent confident in my choice to send my kids to public school, I still miss them and worry about them. Maybe your kids are in public school, private school, in a co-op, or just going to extra-curricular activities without you and it causes your mind to wander a bit, too.
Here is a simple breath prayer, you can say to calm your mind and spirit with the truth of God and His presence.
Inhale: Wherever they go,
Exhale: You are there.
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