It’s that time! The supply shopping is done, the new clothes are ready to go, and your kids, nieces and nephews, or grandkids are about to embark on yet another year of learning. You’ve checked everything off your extensive “back to school” checklist, but there’s still one more thing you need to do.
Pray.
Today we would like to share with you 10 verses to pray over the child in your life going back to school. Writer Alisha Illian provides some excellent suggestions that we’ll explore together.
1. PRAY FOR THEIR FRIENDSHIPS
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:16
We all know that wisely choosing friends makes a huge difference in our young lives. Instead of praying that they would fit in with the cool kids as they go back to school, let’s pray that they would choose friends who would be good for them.
2. PRAY FOR THEM TO HAVE SELF-CONTROL
“let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” – Proverbs 1:5
Every student struggles to keep quiet and attentive during lessons, some more than others. However, practicing the challenging fruit of the Spirit known as self-control will help them listen instead of speak. Such a skill will go a long way in positively impacting their academic achievements.
3. PRAY FOR DILIGENCE
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23
Certainly, it won’t be long after they go back to school before your student encounters trouble with a homework assignment or project. So pray that they would turn their gaze from the difficulty they don’t want to tackle to the Lord they want to honor, empowering them to keep going instead of giving up.
4. PRAY FOR BOLDNESS
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” – Romans 1:16-17
Whether your kid attends a public school or a Christian school, they will undoubtedly encounter those who don’t believe in Jesus. It can sometimes be scary for kids (and adults!) to speak out about their faith. Pray that they won’t be ashamed, but bold in their belief.
5. PRAY FOR RESPECT
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority…” – 1 Peter 2:13a
This year might be the one when your child encounters a teacher they really don’t like. In that circumstance, it can be difficult to show the teacher the respect owed. So pray that your child would show respect as they submit to their teacher’s authority.
6. PRAY FOR KINDNESS
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” – Luke 14:1-14
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus shares the importance of loving, including, and honoring the least among us. Your child’s school is full of young people who need to know they are loved by God. As they go back to school, pray that your child would deliver that message of love through the kindness they show to the marginalized.
7. PRAY FOR DISCERNMENT
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:8
While schools are excellent places to expand your knowledge and prepare for adulthood, they are also places where ideologies contrary to Scripture can be spread. Pray that your student will be alert to false ideas and cling to the truth instead.
8. PRAY FOR THEM TO WITHSTAND PEER PRESSURE
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10
Peer pressure is such a powerful force for school children and college students, as well as adults. But whose approval is more important? Pray that your child is more concerned with pleasing God than pleasing the others around them.
9. PRAY THAT THEY WOULD BE SALT AND LIGHT
“…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16
Instead of blending in with the world around us, God’s people are supposed to stick out. They are to be the salt of the earth and light to the world, and for a very good reason. As they go back to school, pray that your child will shine for Jesus so that others can glorify God.
10. PRAY FOR GROWTH
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” – Luke 2:52
Just as when Jesus was a little boy, those younger years are a wonderful time of learning and growing. Surely we want the kids in our lives to grow as Jesus did. Pray that they would not only excel in their studies, but also that they would grow in biblical wisdom and in favor with God.
1 thought on “How to Pray for Your Child Going Back to School”
It’s a blessing thank you so much.