Back to school! Today marks the beginning of another school year for most of our children. Consequently, the school year fills me with a smidgen of anxiety. I know my kids will face all kinds of temptations this year. I desire them to make good and godly choices. If you are anything like me, I know you wish that for your children as well. Therefore, as parents who follow Jesus, let’s pray for our kids in several areas this school year.

We have done all we can to prepare our children for making wise decisions, but we still worry about them, right? Will they be safe? Apply themselves? Resist temptations? Develop positive friendships? When we find ourselves in the throes of worry and concern, then it is time to leave our children truly in God’s hands. He can do more with our kids than we ever could. God knows the plans he has for our children and He knows what is best for them. So, spend time, this school year, praying for your kids in several areas.

The Father Knows Your Child

Trust that God knows your child better than you know your child. Therefore, pray the following Scripture. Where David uses the personal pronoun, insert your child’s name.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my (enter your child’s name) body and knit me (enter your child’s name) together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me (enter your child’s name) so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me (enter your child’s name) as I (he/she) was being formed in utter seclusion, as I (he/she) was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me (enter your child’s name) before I (he/she) was born. Every day of my (enter your child’s name) life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me (enter your child’s name), O God! They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand. And when I (enter your child’s name) wake up, you are still with me (him/her)! Psalm 139: 13-18

Their Social Life

Having a social life is one of the best parts about school. With social interactions come all kinds of temptations. Our kids will be tempted to use drugs, have sex, verbally and physically bully others, and to spend more time on social media than their academics. Pray the following verses over your children.

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. ¹³ The temptations in your (enter your child’s name) life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you (enter your child’s name) can stand. When you (enter your child’s name) are tempted, he will show you (enter your child’s name) a way out so that you (he/she) can endure.1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us (enter your child’s name), his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us (enter your child’s name) when we (he/she) are being tested. Hebrews 2:17-18

Let’s pray that God strengthens our children to resist all kinds of social temptations.

Their Academic/School Life

The Bible encourages us the love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Let’s pray our children will exercise academic diligence this year.

The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Let’s pray that our kids will dedicate their minds to knowing God and trusting him to help them think clearly this academic school year. We desire our children to think critically and excel in their classes, for God’s glory. We need godly factory workers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, accountants, and government leaders.

Their Spiritual Life

Christian parents want to see their children discover and live God’s will for their lives. Being living sacrifices for God is the only way to show God how much he is worth to them.

And so, dear brothers and sisters (insert your child’s name here), I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. (Insert your child’s name), Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Our kids can learn the will of God through prayer (Philippians 4:6-9), Bible study (Hebrews 4:12-13), and being in community with other believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).

Father, we release our children into your hands this academic school year. We ask that you give them the power to resist temptation and make godly choices for you. Help them to love you with their minds and excel academically, for your glory. Finally, help them to pursue you in everything they do this year. They were your children before they were ours. We believe you can do more with our kids than we ever could. So, we gladly and confidently release them in your hands this school year. By the authority of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

What kinds of prayers do you pray over your children at the beginning of and during the school year? 

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