A Mother’s Prayer for Back to School
Dear Lord,
It’s that time again. It’s a new school year and with it comes new teachers, new experiences, and new challenges my kids will encounter.
God, I worry. I am always so anxious when the new school year starts, no matter my kids’ ages. There are so many unknowns that each new year holds- so many fears I must relinquish into Your hands. My gosh, I am a wreck, often imagining the very worst that could possibly happen with my kids, but every year I see how you work, I see how you are present in it all and through it all, and I am struck with the deepest gratitude and praise for your blessings. I see how you have grown my kids through it all and I do believe this year will be no different.
Lord, I know you have already planned our days ahead and designed each one with diligent detail. You have set the path before us with a purpose in each circumstance my children will experience and I trust in your plan for them. I must. But letting go has never been easy for me. Each and every day, I will have to prayerfully surrender my kids into the world and believe that You are and always will be the one in control. Each day, I remind myself that they are Your children and I place them back into Your hands.
I thought it would get easier with each passing year, but it actually gets harder. The unknowns get scarier and the risks get bigger- Dangers are always lurking in the shadows of my children’s lives, and that terrifies me.
I beg for your protection over our schools. Please keep the students safe in a world that is full of danger and destruction, division and devastation.
I place in your hands, the tender care of my children, with whom I entrust to you always.
I pray for your provision in all of their needs.
I pray you carefully place people in their path to help them grow and flourish into the people you created them to be.
I pray that the Holy Spirit fills them with peace and strength and discernment in every decision they make.
I pray for their teachers– each one will make indelible marks on their lives in significant ways. I pray you hand-pick each valuable mentor to have a positive impact on their academic growth and also help grow their character.
I pray for your guidance in teaching my kids about responsibility and accountability.
I pray my children will develop a deeper understanding of all they learn this year in their classes.
I pray you will prepare their minds every day to use critical thinking of all the information offered to them.
I pray their education will broaden their perspective of the world they live in.
I pray they develop a self-motivated drive to follow through on assignments and persevere when learning is a challenge.
I pray my children will always honor you in everything they do and everything they say.
I pray that my children shine Your light, so others always see you in them.
I pray they grow in your grace, through every mistake they make and every mistake I make too.
I pray they see those unseen, reach out to those who aren’t included, have compassion for those who struggle, and pour grace on those who need forgiveness.
Oh, Lord, I pray you will guide them with your love and help them be a comfort to those who need it most.
I pray they feel your presence in every step they take through every day.
I pray my children always reach for you before they seek anything else or anyone else.
As we launch another school year ahead, Lord, be with us, go before us and prepare the way.
I ask for wisdom in guiding my kids through it all. They will be exposed to things I have no control over and I want so badly to protect their hearts and minds from the negative influences that will surround them. I tremble at the thought of them discovering more and more of the dark side of this world and how that will taint their view, tarnish their perspective, and taunt their temptations.
I pray for my kids to hold tight to self-control and act with integrity with every decision they make.
Lord, give them the wisdom to seek counsel on conflicts that come and the maturity to resist peer pressure for the sake of their morals.
I pray for all they encounter this school year and I pray you will use their gifts and their strengths to glorify your name.
Lord lead us on…
Prepare our hearts.
Pave our path.
We are forever yours.
You have poured so much thought into this post, Chris. I cannot think of anything that you’ve overlooked. Well done, Mama.
As our children age, our worries don’t abate, at least that’s my experience. My 24 year-old daughter has just returned home from six weeks of travel in Southeast Asia, and while I am sad for her that it has come to an end, I am sleeping better. I shan’t soon forget waking up to her overnight text advising me that she had survived the 6.9 Lombok aftershock. She and her friend had dashed to the highest spot on the island under the now cancelled tsunami warning and thankfully safely back at their hostel. Wifi was spotty but all was well. She texted as soon as she could as she knew I’d be worried.
My girl begins an exciting new chapter in just under three weeks and my hope is that I can keep my anxiety to myself and be there to help and advise only when she asks for it.
Sending you much strength in the days to come!
Oh my gosh, Kelly! I would have been a HOT. MESS. lol. You are one strong mama, and apparently, your daughter is a fierce and fearless spirit who is going after her dreams! Good for YOU for supporting her, despite the anxiety! It’s gonna be super hard to let go of Cass, especially if she goes after her dream when she gets older. She wants to be a missionary and travel the world as a nurse. I’ll be on my knees all day and night when that happens! LOL
Aw, what beautiful sentiments for the upcoming school year. We still have a few more weeks here in NY of summer vacation. But will most definitely keep and remember your words for when the time does indeed come here, too! Hugs and thanks for the perfect words of wisdom here <3
Enjoy your last weeks of summer, Janine! My kids started today. I have mixed emotions about this. lol. 😉
Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by and read this, sweet friend. I’m so grateful for you.
This is so beautiful, Chris. Nicely written and the sentiments are those that all of us moms can concur.
This: “I pray they see those unseen, reach out to those who aren’t included, have compassion for those who struggle, and pour grace on those who need forgiveness.” is my favorite.
Thanks so much, my friend. It brings me so much peace to cover my kids in prayer at the beginning of the year, and every day after. <3
That part is KEY. I just reminded both my kids of it this morning as they left for their first day of school!
Wow what a beautiful prayer Christine! You have covered everything and everyone! Love this!! I was not a believer when my daughters were growing up and I so wish I had been. It was tough doing everything in my own strength. But I’m learning now that regret is a robber of our present. I’ve been covering my G-Babies in prayer now with a fierceness lol! God’s mighty angels surround those precious babies and my daughters, in Jesus Name!! Bless you sweet sister! ❤
Donna, you are so right about regret! You are a mighty prayer warrior now and God has and will continue to use your faithful heart in profound ways with your grandbabies, your older babies, and so many other souls who God places on your path.
This! All of this! It’s so true, it gets harder each year. Oh but he knows! He knows every detail to come & what comfort that brings! This is a beautiful piece!
YES! I just prayed a similar truth with my girl in the car this morning on the way to her first day of school. There is so much peace in trusting that God is in every detail of our kids’ lives. Thanks for stopping by to read this, JD.
I love the specificity of this prayer. Beautiful and so necessary for us mamas to pray before the new school year begins. <3
Thank you Harmony. Yes, I get so nervous for my kids! For me, having this prayer constantly whispered throughout the year brings me peace and assurance in God’s loving care and His perfect plan for His kids that I am blessed to raise.
Spot on Chris! Truly lovely and much needed this time of year. Thank you for putting into words what I want I’m feeling and need to let go and say to the Lord.
Thank you so much, Katy. My kids started school today and this is definitely on my heart- from this day forward. Praying this prayer for your kids too, my friend! <3
My only request is one written for the homeschooling mom…. You did this one so well!
I’ll be praying this for our grandchildren going off to school… And adjusting it for the ones and their mom that are homeschooling!
Oooh, that would be a wonderful idea Christi! I know so many mamas who homeschool. I pray your grandkids and their mama have a wonderful year. <3
Oh Christine. Reading this prayer helped me exhale. You put into words fears and prayer requests I haven’t been able to articulate. Especially this: “I thought it would get easier with each passing year, but it actually gets harder. The unknowns get scarier and the risks get bigger- Dangers are always lurking in the shadows of my children’s lives, and that terrifies me.”
This, though, is what will stay with me: “I pray my children always reach for you before they seek anything else or anyone else.” I’m not sure I am role modeling that very well, but that—THAT would be my greatest prayer of all.
So good to be back here. All God’s best to you and your dear children for a wonderful transition into the new school year.
Julie, every time you comment, it just makes my heart swell. You get it! You always do. <3
Praying this prayer over YOUR kiddos too, my dear friend. Mine just started today! When do yours start? I'll keep an eye on fb! 🙂 (I rarely get permission to share pics of mine, so... probably won't see any from over here. LOL)
B E A U T I F U L.
believe me, the teachers, and staff, EVERYWHERE-
appreciate Mamas like YOU!
xxxxxx from Duluth.
And I thank God for THEM. We have had the most amazing teachers through the years- and just a few sub-par, unfortunately. BUT the amazing ones? They have made a lasting impact on my kids and I am forever grateful for them. 🙂
You don’t miss a thing!
I always think about the whole picture with a new school year. Yes, I hope they have nice teachers and challenging classes and non-dramatic friends, but ultimately it’s about having kindness, compassion, and true happiness. Joy.
YES. Exactly that, Tamara! I know your kids hold those beautiful traits because YOU do… I pray for the same with mine. <3
It doesn’t get any easier, does it? In a few weeks I’m sending my baby back to school all the way across the ocean! Lots of excitement and lots of prayers, for sure.
This is wonderful, Chris. Thank you!
Hope you all have a safe, happy, and productive school year! xo
I have been searching for a good back to school prayer and should have known to start with you! It’s exactly what I feel and what I need. Thank you, my dear friend!
Oh, AnnMarie!! I miss you!! You are and always were so encouraging and kind- and I’m still so grateful for that and for you.
I’ll be praying for your (growing up way too fast omg!!) kiddos too, my beautiful friend.