Going back to school is a stressful time for parents and children alike, for so many different reasons. Here are 25 powerful prayers for parents to pray, and one especially for grandparents to pray. There are also easy prayers for children to pray by themselves.
Lord our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. Send your Spirit upon these students and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that they may devote themselves to their studies and draw ever closer to you, the source of all knowledge.
Short Prayer For Students And Teachers
Prayer for Child Going Back to School
O Lord, our Guide and Protector, we pray that you would bless our child as she returns to school in this new school year. We pray first for the challenges that she will be facing – may she rise to the occasion and take it all in her stride. May she have an excellent rapport with her new teacher and learn quickly. May she get along well with all her classmates and enjoy school. Amen.
Prayer for Child’s Success in School
God of abundance, we pray that You would pour out grace on our child at school. May he experience success in every way. May he pay attention in his classes and receive excellent scores. May he employ good social skills and be liked and sought after by his classmates. May he be obedient to the school guidelines and have exemplary behavior. May he shine in sports and extracurricular activities. Amen.
Prayer for Child Struggling in School
Lord of mercy, I lift up to You my child who is struggling in school. Help her to be able to comprehend her teacher’s lessons and to understand the assignments. Help her to be able to figure out her math problems. May her reading skills improve. May she get the special help she needs to get caught up in her studies. I also pray that she will receive kindness from her classmates and have several good friends. Amen.
Prayer for Child Before School
Heavenly Father, we intercede for our child as he heads to school this morning. May he have a great day today. Keep him safe on the way to school and back home, on the playground, and all throughout the day. Help him to focus on what his teacher is saying and not get distracted. May he be a good friend to his classmates. May he receive excellent scores in his work today. Amen.
Prayer Against Bullying
Dear God, our Defender, we pray a hedge of protection around our child at school. Shield her from bullying and spiteful remarks. We pray You block any negative comments launched her way regarding her appearance, her intelligence, her way of speaking, her race, or anything else. We pray against those who might engage in physical bullying or stealing things from her. If she does encounter bullying, help her know what to say and how to report it. Amen.
Prayer to Say with Child Before School
Father in heaven, bless me as I leave for school this morning. Help me be kind to other students on the bus and in my classroom and stay out of trouble. Help me listen to my teacher and not goof off when her back is turned. Help me do my work well and finish everything on time. Help me have a good time in P.E. class and improve my skills. Keep me safe all day. Amen.
Grandparent’s Prayer for a Grandchild
Sovereign Lord, I pray for my grandchild at school. Give him peace when he is fearful or anxious about his assignments or other people. Protect him from all harm – whether a physical accident or attack, from emotional wounding, or from attacks on his faith. Help him to excel in learning and have academic success. Bless him with rich and encouraging friendships. May he be happy at school and look forward to going there every day. Amen.
Child’s Morning Prayer
As I begin my new school day
To You, my God, I come and pray.
Please help me do all that I can
To listen well and understand.
Help me be quiet and obey
All the rules throughout the day.
May I do my work well and then
Good grades from teacher always win
In everything and every way
Bless me at my school today.
Amen.
Child’s Lunchtime Prayer at School
God of grace, God of love,
Looking down from above.
With my friends I take my seat
Thank You for this lunch I’ll eat.
For all amazing things You do
I give to You thanksgiving too
Thank you for helping me today
To learn, to listen, to obey
Bless this meal and help me be
Always faithful, from sin free
Please bless the rest of this day,
Keep me close to You, I pray.
Amen.
Child’s Bedtime Prayer
Holy Father, Savior dear
Thank You that You’re always near.
Now it’s time to go to bed;
On my pillow lay my head.
Before I sleep to You, I pray;
Thank You for all I learned today.
Tomorrow as to school I go
You’ll be with me, this I know.
Help me to be always good,
Do all my teacher says I should.
In reading, math, and P.E. –
In all my classes, please bless me.
Amen.
Child’s Prayer for School and Teachers
Heavenly Father, God divine,
On my school may Your face shine.
Please bless all the teachers dear
As from them we learn and hear
All they teach us through the day
So we know what to do and say
Throughout life, in every way.
Help them use creativity
To teach us so we clearly see.
Protect us, keep us in safety
So from fear we can be free.
Amen.
Prayer For Teachers and Students
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you have committed to your holy Church the care and nurture of your children. Enlighten with your wisdom those who teach and those who learn so that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Source: Freely modified from A Book of Collects in Two Parts, John Wallace Suter and John Wallace Suter, Jr., Milwaukee: Morehouse Publishing, 1919.
Prayer for a New School Year
As the School Year Begins Lord Jesus Christ, as a child, you increased in wisdom and stature; you listened to your teachers and asked them questions. Bless those who learn that they may grow in the knowledge of their Maker, Redeemer, Life-giver, and of your glorious world we live in. Bless those who teach, that they may share the wisdom they have received from above and that they may do their work with patience and love that reflect your mercy that endures forever.
You yourself are the Great Teacher. Instruct all of us in your commandments: to show love by glorifying you and serving our neighbors. Disciple all of us with your holy Gospel: to be forgiven, renewed and empowered through your life, death, and resurrection. Fill our hearts with wonder and excitement as we see your divine design in math and science, as we see your hand in history, as we learn to glorify you through art and music, as we learn to know our neighbors, their hopes, their hurts, their needs, that your love may flow through us to them.
Your holy Word also tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” By your power, help us increase in wisdom, never ceasing to learn all the days of our lives until we sit at your feet in your Kingdom; wherewith the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: © 2016 Paul C. Stratman
A Prayer for Students to Balance School and Faith
Lord, we want more for our students than mere survival. We pray You will make them outstanding leaders and imitators of Your character, secure in their faith. Our students deal with tests often, not just with their schoolwork, but in their spiritual lives. Help them to be bold as lions, in the sense that their faith won’t be shaken by those who attack or question it. Give them knowledge of Your Word and time to memorize and meditate often on its biblical truths. Teach them to respect others’ beliefs without compromising their own.
Like a tightrope walker, Lord, our students are trying to balance familiar Truth against a host of other unfamiliar voices that are trying to sway their beliefs and make them fall. In a world where values are decreasing, morality is fading, and persecution is increasing, help our students to walk humbly, to honor You daily, and to remain true to their calling in Christ. Let them be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks them for the hope or confidence they possess and a reason why they have chosen a relationship with You. Help them to let their Light shine at school and wherever they go so that others who observe their attitudes and actions will know that they are the real thing.
When our students make mistakes or feel they have become imbalanced, help them find the courage to admit, “I was wrong. Forgive me,” or “Lord, I need help.” Let them treasure their “difference” as a gentle yet bold believer, never to flaunt it or to hide it because of timidity or embarrassment. If they encounter challenges that pit their studies against their faith, remind them that You are always on their side and that You are their Wise Counselor, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You are the One who can dispel lies and deceit. Whether they face fear or danger or simply need comfort, may they always turn to You, the One Who always hears their cries, and the One who will never leave them or forsake them.