35 Back-To-School Prayers for Peace, Protection and Encouragement

When I was a child, I remember adults saying how fast time flew by. Now that I'm an adult (and a parent), I get it. Another wonderful, glorious summer has come and gone, and it's time for kids to head back to school. (In some states, the school year started back in July!) And with that, it's time to get inspired with some helpful back-to-school prayers as well.

Along with reading, writing and arithmetic, kids have far more to contend with than ever before. Threats of violence and school shootings, bullying and hostility, pressure and stress, are all very real and present in their lives.

This is why it's so important to cover children in prayer. As they prepare for a year of learning, we can help them and their teachers by praying for their safety, protection, encouragement and wisdom.

We're sharing 35 prayers that can help prepare kids spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally for the upcoming year. May these words bring you and your children comfort and strength, as we remember that children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3).

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35 Back-To-School Prayers for the Start of the Year

1. "Lord, I pray that my children will love learning; that their hearts would seek to understand the world you have created. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly." Proverbs 15:14 – Melissa Kruger

2. "Lord, keep a watchful eye on them and keep them safe." – Pablo Diaz

3. "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow." - Psalm 25:4 NLT

4. "Lord, give our children a thirst for knowledge, wisdom and understanding. May their hearts be ready to learn this year, at home, school and church. Open their ears, may they crave knowledge and seek it out." – Lauren Gaines

5. "Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for giving my son the ability to focus. I know there are days when things seem bleak with his attention span. But I am declaring by the power of the Holy Spirit that my son will have the ability to focus. My son will focus on every task that he is given. Whether it is educational, academic, or personal, I know my son can zero in and focus. Lord, help him to put away all distractions in this world, whether it be electronic devices, or anything related that would snatch his ability to properly focus. Touch his mind, Father God, and give him supernatural, keen understanding to focus on everything that You are calling him to do. Help my son to be organized, diligent, hardworking and faithful in all he does, and give him supernatural strength to focus regardless of everything going on around him. In Jesus' name, amen." – Kimyetta Hayden

6. "Lord, I ask that You keep my child safe while they are at school. I request You to protect them from unkind words and cruel people. I pray You would protect them from any danger they might face at school and that they would remember they can turn to You for safety." – Anne Markey

7. "Lord, I pray that my kids (grandkids) will develop a passion for the things of God. I pray they will hunger and thirst for You and Your Word and will love You with all of their heart, soul and mind. Give them compassionate and generous hearts to love others as much as You love them. I pray they will always work and study with excellence but that You will help them desire a servant spirit of greatness, rather than a worldly lust for success. I pray they will fall in love with Jesus over and over again." – Rebecca Barlow Jordan

8. "Heavenly Father, You know this world is teeming with temptations in classrooms, locker rooms, hallways, on school grounds, on public transportation and everywhere our children’s lives lead them. I can't be there to guide their choices, but I know You are. Please cover these precious children in your embrace, and should they face temptations, guide their thoughts and words to choose your will. Equip them by the Holy Spirit to avoid the wide path that can lead to destruction. And if they falter, reassure them of Your steadfast love. In Jesus' name, Amen." – Lisa Samra

Related: 30 Daily Prayers To Encourage and Guide You as You Walk by Faith

9. "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life." – Proverbs 19:20 NLT

10. "Thank you, Lord, for Your divine protection over our children. Keep them safe as they travel to and from school. Protect them from any physical harm while they are in school. I stand on Your Word that no weapon formed against them will prosper. I thank You that Your angels stand guard over them and surround them like a shield. Guard their hearts and minds as they step out to meet new friends. Let negative words or comments roll off them and not take root in their souls. Cover them as they navigate this new school year and guide them in the right direction. In Jesus' name, Amen!" – Alisa Nicaud

11. "Enable my children to be a blessing and a light to those they encounter ('So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing')." 1 Thessalonians 5:11. – Kari Kampakis

12. "Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine." - Proverbs 8:14 NLT

13. "Father, cover them in the blood and overshadow them, in the name of Jesus. I pray in the name of Jesus that they would be protected from danger within and without on every side. That they would be anointed. That they would be covered. That they would be innovative and creative and effective like they've never been before. That they would feel the reward inwardly for the work that they have done. That they would have the fulfillment that is necessary to be effective at what they do. That you would anoint them with concepts to penetrate even the hardest shell student. That change and transformation would happen." – Bishop T.D. Jakes

14. "Lord, may they have an open mind and spirit to grow in knowledge." – Pablo Diaz

15. "Jesus, thank You for friends! Thank You that You created us to be in a relationship with you and each other. We pray our children would build kind friendships this school year. Friendships where they build each other up and sharpen one another. Give unique ways to build community and provide us with divine appointments with other families." – Lauren Gaines

16. "Lord, I know that it's easy for children to say things they don’t mean or to say things to impress others. I pray You would help them hold their tongue. That the words that come from their mouths would honor You and would point to You." – Anne Marke

Related: 'Be Strong and Courageous'—30 Powerful Prayers for Strength

17. "You alone give life and breath to all living creatures. The earth and everything in it belongs to you (Psalm 24:1). Show our children Your glory. Show them Your majesty, through Your creation and through Your presence in their lives. Help them to see that every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). And help them to be grateful. Teach our kids that they can do nothing apart from Christ (John 15:5). Show them their utter need and dependency for You. Father, we pray that You would cause them to bow the knee to You at an early age and acknowledge You as Lord and King." – Kate Motaung

18. "Equip my children to bounce back quickly from daily disappointments. Keep them anchored in the hope of heaven, the joy of Jesus and the security of Your promises ('For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11)." – Kari Kampakis

19. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." – John 14:27 NIV

20. "I pray that my children will approach this school year with diligence. Give them the strength they need to work hard at their studies and every task given to them over the course of the year. Grant them not only knowledge through their efforts but also help them to grow in their wisdom. Amen." – Amanda Idleman

21. "Dear God, I know You are the ultimate Protector of all children, and You supply peace that surpasses understanding. Please let Your tender voice of compassion be the one they hear as they face pressures during their school days and after school. Bring them back to You by calming their minds and hearts. Help them to care about themselves and not feel overwhelmed. In Jesus' name, Amen." – Lisa Samra

Related: 180 Fun Morning Meeting Questions for Kids to Express Themselves

22. "Lord, thank You that You are equipping my children to learn this year and work hard, not just for grades, but because they desire to please You. Father, help them in the times when they feel tired and weary. Help me to encourage them and lift them up, but also help them to push through when necessary. I pray, above all else this year, that they would begin to understand that the work they do is to glorify You. In Jesus' name, Amen!" – Alisa Nicaud

23. "I pray that their teachers would be wise and gentle. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:2,4 – Melissa Kruger

24. "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." – James 1:5 NIV

25. "Today I pray for every youth who has been cast aside, ridiculed, bullied, made fun of, and overlooked, wondering, 'Is there anything special about me?' Lord, may these students know that they are not alone. May your word break into their loneliness and fill empty spaces. May they know that they are seen, loved and chosen by You. I thank You that Your word has power to reach into the lonely place, and I thank You that You took our place. Amen." – Steven Furtick

26. "Heavenly Father, we thank You that as Your children, we can call you Abba. We praise you for being Father to us. We know that You have good plans for our kids, and we ask that this school year, you wrap them in your arms and bring them comfort and security. We ask that you ban all anxiety, and in its place, unleash a desire to learn, to grow and to mature. Give our kids peace and joy and excitement during their school day. Help them to absorb the information taught and retain it for the future. We ask that lifelong friendships are formed, that learning becomes fun and that knowledge is obtained in all the ways that will bring You glory." – Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Related: 25 Prayers for the Sick to Uplift Their Spirits and Encourage Healing

27. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." – Ephesians 4:32 NIV

28. "Lord, I pray that you would fill my children with your joy as they begin a new year of learning! Help them to find joy in their studies and interaction with their teachers and peers at school. May they be filled with wonder as they learn more about this world you have created. Throughout this year, help them to know you better through their studies. Amen." – Amanda Idleman

29. "Lord, I pray that You will create a clean heart in my kids (grandkids) and that You will constantly renew a right spirit within them, keeping their thoughts and actions pure and motivated by love. Guard them from temptation and let them know You are always faithful to give them a way out and help them to endure. May the words of their mouths and the meditations of their hearts always please you and edify others." – Rebecca Barlow Jordan

30. "Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." – Psalm 37:4-5 NASB

31. "Thank you, Lord, that as we sing your praises you are spreading your divine protection over our children. Watch over their coming and going. You said you will rescue us from every trap and protect us from deadly disease (Psalm 91:3). We declare that over our house, over our children. No evil will touch us. As we come and go, bring us all home safely each day." – Lauren Gaines

32. "Father God, we all have times when we need help refilling our cups, times when our stamina grows weak and we are unable to supply ourselves with what is necessary to keep going. Father God, we pray specifically for the energy and comfort of teachers. Teachers are truly selfless people who pour out daily to their students and those around them. Their cups can be quickly drained as they pour out into so many. Lord, be their source of all which they need. May they be like the widow in II Kings 4 that saw the oil supplied without running dry to which she needed. Lord, enhance their portions to be exactly what they need to keep going, make a difference in this world and not grow weary or tired, for we remember that You make that possible. Make them like Isaiah 40:31, 'but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.' We thank You, Father God, for Your goodness. In Jesus' Name, Amen." – Cally Logan

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

34. 'Lord, keep our children calm in the midst of a noisy world." – Pablo Diaz

35. "Lord, I pray my children would treat others as they would want to be treated. I ask that You help them be kind to those around them – even if they are not being treated well." – Anne Markey

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