Back to School Prayers & Scriptures
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As summer fades, a new school year brings a mix of emotions—including hope, excitement, and fear—into the hearts of children, parents, teachers, and loved ones. It is natural to worry about our children’s safety and well-being in a world full of uncertainty. But God’s Word anchors our faith as believers.
Whether a child is stepping into kindergarten, navigating high school, or heading off to college, this season calls us to our knees. The same God who created the universe and raised Jesus from the dead hears our prayers. As we send our children through school doors each day, let us cover them in prayer with the following promises from Scripture. I suggest inserting the name(s) of your child or children into the prayers and verses where appropriate.
1. Pray for Protection
Dear Lord, thank you for the blessing of my child. Please surround them and their school with Your protection. Guard my child physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Keep them safe from harm and guide them away from negative influences.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out
and your coming in
From this time and forever.
—Psalm 121:7–8*
2. Pray for Godly Friendships
Dear Lord, please bless my child with kind, honest, and Godly friends. Help my child be a light to others and have the courage to walk away from relationships that do not honor You.
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
—1 Corinthians 15:33
3. Pray for a Teachable Spirit and Wisdom
Dear Lord, please give my child a sharp mind and a teachable spirit. Please enable my child to learn and grow in knowledge, wisdom, and discernment, resulting in good grades and a bright future. Let my child’s education be rooted in truth.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. —James 1:5
4. Pray for Their Identity
Dear Lord, please remind my child that self-worth is not found in other people’s opinions or popularity. Let my child walk with confidence in the identity You’ve given them.
I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
—Psalm 139:14
5. Pray for Their Confidence and Favor
Dear Lord, please bless my child with confidence and favor. Help them to trust in You and Your will to guide them through schoolwork, projects, tryouts, and any social challenges they may encounter.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:13
6. Pray against Anxiety and Depression
Dear Lord, please shield my child from anxiety and depression. Help them rebuke any negative thoughts and feelings, placing them into Your hands through prayer and faith.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:6–7
7. Pray for Their Teachers and School Leaders
Dear Lord, please bless every teacher, administrator, and staff member at my child’s school. Fill their classrooms with discernment, knowledge, patience, peace, protection, and truth. Block any teaching or influence that is not according to Your will.
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people.
—1 Timothy 2:1
While we cannot be with our children every moment, we can find peace in trusting God to hear our prayers and protect them. Through prayer, we invite God to guard, guide, and bless their lives. May we be intentional by declaring Scripture over our children and covering them with love through the power of prayer.
Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he grows older, he will not abandon it.
—Proverbs 22:6
Please share additional back-to-school prayers and Scripture verses in the comments.
*All Scripture references are quoted from the NASB version.
By: Jenny Stainback
