The past week in our country has been a nightmare. Three mass shootings in California, Texas, and Ohio claimed the lives of 31 people and injured dozens more. We don’t know when or where it will happen again. But, one thing is for certain. We can pray. And, I don’t mean pray just for the families of the victims, but also for God’s future protection for ourselves and our children. The summer is winding down and the 2019-2020 school year is around the corner. As the school year begins, it’s important to offer up a prayer for children entering every campus, every building, and every classroom. Not quite sure what to say? These five should help you get started.
5 Prayers to Help Your Child Make It Through the School Year
- Protection from evil
- Choose friends wisely
- Direction for their steps
- Seek peace
- Be strong in the Lord
Protection from evil
Heavenly Father, we are living in times when evil seems too overwhelming for us. Everywhere we turn, there are those who seek to harm others for little or no reason. While at times it’s quite obvious, we don’t always know when evil is present. We’re not always aware of the danger around us. If it’s true for parents, then it’s true for our children.
Whether they are in the cafeteria, in the classroom, on the school bus, or just walking to and from class, we pray for your protection over our children. We ask Lord that you help them to do their best to be aware of their surroundings even as they try to get a good education. It’s hard when our children are away from us. But we know that by trusting in you, they are in good hands. Please protect our children from evil each and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Choose friends wisely
Heavenly Father, we do our best to train our children at home and teach them right from wrong. But we can’t always be with them to guide their thoughts and actions. That includes when it comes to choosing friends. Proverbs 13:20 tells us that if we walk with the wise, we become wise but a companion of fools suffers harm.
We pray that our children learn to choose friends wisely. We pray they are not influenced toward evil but rather lead in righteousness. And in those moments when they are too afraid or too blind to see when they are being led astray, we ask for your grace and your intervention to lead them back to you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Direction for their steps
Heavenly Father, as our children begin to grow up, they want to start making their own decisions. As parents, it’s tough to let go especially if it means watching them make their own mistakes.
So we ask Father, that as this new school year begins, that you will guide their steps in every decision they make. Whether it’s what to wear to school or what college to apply for, no decision is too small to seek Your input. We ask that they not only pursue a relationship with you but that they listen to Your voice and obey your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Seek peace
Heavenly Father, sometimes it’s difficult seeing or hearing about the bullying that takes place in our schools. It’s tough to know that our children are spending 6-8 hours a day in a place where there’s a potential for violence.
We pray for our children to seek peace and know when to walk away from trouble. We pray that you help them to check their temper with their peers and with those in authority. We pray they use their tongues wisely and know when to be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves. In all those circumstances, we pray for your protection and a peaceful outcome in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Be strong in the Lord
Heavenly Father, school can be tough. There will be academic challenges, peer pressure, successes and failures. But through it all, we pray for our children to be strong in the Lord this school year. We pray for them to overcome their fears, strengthen their weaknesses, and grow in their walk with you. Regardless of what they may face, we pray they will first rely on you and then work hard to be their very best in whatever they do. We know you are always with us and we pray that our children will never forget you are by their side. We pray they will be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
BMWK, what prayer would you like to share for our children?
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