Back to School Prayer Guide

Dear church,

As students start the new school year this week and next week here’s a prayer guide. Whether you homeschool your children, you’re a student, or your kids are grown and out of the house…this Back to School Prayer Guide is a great way to pray for our church family’s students.

Gracious God,

We pray to You for our students, parents, teachers, school staff & volunteers, as a new school year is about to begin…

Praying for our students

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

We ask that You grant our students a thirst for knowledge and the perseverance to persevere when learning is challenging, that You surround them with good friends who will help them develop their character, that You meet their needs and open doors of opportunity, and that You keep Your hand of protection over them, shielding them from bullying and violence.

Praying for our parents

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. ~ Psalm 145:17-20 ESV

We ask that You give our parents strength to perform the work necessary to support and raise their kids well, grace when they feel discouraged, and wisdom as they guide their kids in the right direction. May You give them chances to interact with their kids and act as uplifting influences.

Praying for our teachers

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. ~ Proverbs 16:23-24 ESV

We ask You to provide our teachers strength, grace, patience, and a love for their children. We also ask You to make their enthusiasm for learning contagious and to make them feel supported by the parents and the community. May You instill in them a spirit of fortitude that comes from knowing that their labors will be repaid. Give them discernment in all situations and let Your peace reign in their hearts.

Praying for our schools’ support staff

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. ~ Titus 2:7-8 ESV

We ask that as they guide the next generation in the pursuit of knowledge, You would supply their necessities and Your favor would be upon our school staff. May You give them judgment in their decisions, clarity, and discernment in their supervision of the faculty and staff, tolerance and sincere love for the families, and a powerful outpouring of community support.

Praying for our schools’ volunteers

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

As we love the kids and staff in our local schools in the same way that You first loved us, we pray for volunteers that Your constancy and goodness would be obvious through our acts. Give us the chance to build real connections, and may we seek to serve with the same humility and grace that Jesus did.

Praying for our homeschooling students

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. ~ Proverbs 9:10 ESV

We ask that You bless our homeschooling students with a deep desire to learn and a heart that seeks after Your truth. May You grant them curiosity and creativity in their studies, as well as the perseverance to work through challenges. Surround them with a nurturing environment where they can flourish, both academically and spiritually. Protect them from discouragement and help them grow in character, wisdom, and love.

Praying for our homeschooling parents

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6 ESV

We ask that You give homeschooling parents the strength and patience needed to guide their children each day. May You provide them with the wisdom to teach effectively and the grace to nurture their children's unique gifts. Help them to balance the demands of education, household responsibilities, and family life, and may they find joy in the journey. Let Your presence be their constant guide, and may they lean on You for strength and encouragement.

Praying for the homeschooling community

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

We ask that You bless the homeschooling communities, that they may be places of mutual support, encouragement, and growth. May families find connection and friendship with others who share their journey. Guide those who offer resources, support, and mentorship to homeschooling families, and may they do so with generosity and kindness. May Your love and wisdom be evident in the interactions and relationships formed within these communities.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Daniel