Kids who go to school during the day spend eight or more hours a day, five days a week. With so much time there, children are influenced by teachers, students, classes, and more.
Good parents get involved, making sure they’re aware of their children’s schedules, teachers, and friends. They show up for important events and conferences. Yet, even the most involved parents can only do so much. For single parents or people in other circumstances, some might not have the margin to do all they want to.
Unfortunately, many parents don’t take advantage of the greatest power at their disposal—prayer. Prayer shouldn’t be a substitute for involvement. At the same time, God loves our kids even more than we do, and he has plans for their good. Prayer is active, speaking to the Father, who alone can accomplish anything. We must pray to the ever-present Lord who can guide and protect our kids in every moment, especially during such a significant school experience.
Here are eight back-to-school prayers every parent should pray.
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1. A Prayer for Wisdom and Learning
Since the primary goal of school is to gain wisdom, we should offer a prayer for our children’s learning. Proverbs continually expresses the need and value of wisdom above all things, and God rests at the heart of all truth. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) This “fear” means a humbling awe and wonder, a holy fear recognizing God’s magnificence and supremacy. Since God is truth, all true learning of truth flows from a relationship with and reverence for God. Schools provide instruction in math, science, reading, history, and more. Proper engagement with any subject begins with our relationship with God.
Wisdom understands how things work, their design, and God created all things with his wisdom. Beginning with God, our students can properly learn any subject while remaining humble instead of growing in human pride in their own intelligence and academics. Wisdom empowers students to choose good friends, resist temptations, and endure through challenges. Knowledge without wisdom leads to harmful and destructive pride, which God resists, but learning with godly wisdom produces creativity and integrity. The knowledge and wisdom must go together, leading to living a godly life.
Heavenly Father,
I pray my child learns well this school year, but more importantly, I ask for them to grow in wisdom that begins in awe of you. Let their knowledge lead to wisdom and understanding, bringing glory to your name.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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2. A Prayer for Courage and Strength
A new year brings new classrooms, teachers, and students. This can feel overwhelming and challenging to our kids, especially if any of these bring conflict in academics or social life. God allows these challenges in our lives, and our kids can learn courage and endurance through them, too. God spoke to Joshua right before going into the Promised Land, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The secret to courage is trusting God’s presence, a major skill our kids need to learn for life.
We should pray that our kids face every day with the knowledge that God is with them and goes before them. Courage helps them try new things, speak in love when others seek division, and stand up for what’s right. God’s strength empowers them to persevere through difficult circumstances, and the Father’s presence encourages and comforts them when they feel alone. For any believer, faith requires strength and courage rooted in God’s goodness and his promises. Praying for their courage and strength in God helps our kids grow into faithful, resilient young men and women.
Heavenly Father,
Give my child courage to face challenges in faith and your strength to keep going when it feels difficult. Remind them you are with them in every moment, and let your presence drive out fear and anxiety.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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3. A Prayer for Kindness and Compassion
School brings together people from different backgrounds and struggles, different personalities and challenges. Our kids will find themselves in situations where they need to show patience and give grace to others. The apostle Paul instructs the church with, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Kindness doesn’t mean simply being polite. Compassion flows from a heart seeking to give blessings to others because God has loved and forgiven us.
We should pray that our children treat classmates, teachers, and even those difficult to love with patience and compassion. These qualities help kids build real friendships, reconcile conflicts, and bring peace to situations when others would fight. In an age dominated by harsh words and drama in person and online, kind and compassionate people shine even brighter as examples of God’s love.
Kindness helps our children see others through God’s eyes, recognizing the value in all people. As a result, we should pray that our kids see and encourage the lonely, help those who struggle, and forgive when conflict arises. This shapes the students’ hearts, teaching them to love like Jesus.
Heavenly Father,
I pray you fill my child’s heart with your kindness and compassion. Teach them to forgive quickly, love deeply, and reveal your grace in their relationships and encounters at school.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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4. A Prayer for Peace in Schools
With the host of new activities and demands, the school year begins. Along with courage and strength, we should pray for our children to step into and walk in God’s peace. Philippians 4:6-7 explains the promise of peace: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” God’s peace exists within Himself, separate from the circumstances of the world. This gives him peace of mind since it doesn’t depend upon the right situations but on his person. We can trust the Lord.
In a society that increasingly deals with anxiety, the students need God’s peace. We should pray that our kids learn how to bring their every concern and worry before God, whether they’re anxious about a test or a friendship. Peace gives the children rest and calmness to focus on their work and act with kindness and compassion. They can come to the Father in prayer, and his peace will guard their heart and minds, protecting them against fear and anxiety.
Heavenly Father,
Help my child bring all their worries and concerns to you. Fill their hearts with your peace that goes beyond understanding. Guard their mind as they trust you are always close by.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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5. A Prayer for Lifegiving Friendships
Children grow close to friends at school, especially in middle and high school. Their friends become incredibly influential so that these relationships can make or break a student's experience as much as academics. Scripture reminds us, “Do not be deceived; ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). The people we spend time with affect how we think and live. Good friends encourage growth and character, even point kids to God, while unhealthy friendships lead to compromise and trouble.
With something so important, we must pray that our children choose friends who are kind, truthful, and aligned with good values. A good friend encourages, speaks good things, and will support when hard times come. Just as important, we pray that our children become good friends to others, exhibiting characteristics like kindness, loyalty, and forgiveness. Great friendships can last a lifetime and lead to success in every area of life.
Children have daily opportunities at school to join groups and learn to lead or follow. As parents, we pray for their discernment to know what voices to trust and to establish close relationships.
Heavenly Father,
I ask that you surround my child with good friends who encourage them to grow in kindness and faith. In addition, give them the wisdom to choose and the compassion to be godly friends to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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6. A Prayer for Teachers and Staff
Just as friendships have a huge effect on kids, teachers do, as well. Countless people have stories about a teacher who taught them invaluable lessons, even inspired them in their careers and future success. At the same time, a negative experience with a teacher can discourage a student from learning or even a whole subject. As our kids return to school, we should pray for their teachers and for divine encounters in all areas. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.” Leadership—like teachers, administrators, counselors, and more—can have a profound impact on the school and an individual student. When teachers walk with integrity and compassion, they provide a secure and inspiring environment for the students to thrive.
We should pray that God places the exact right teachers our children need, people who inspire not only to learn the subject but also have good values and relationships with students. A great teacher leaves a legacy and encourages children toward excellence.
Yet teachers aren’t the only adults at school with influence and impact. We should pray for our kids to encounter other adults with divine encounters. These counselors or coaches can become mentors and key supports for the students.
Heavenly Father,
I pray you place teachers of integrity and righteousness in my child’s life, someone who will guide them with wisdom and truth. Bring amazing adults into my child’s life to shape their path according to your will.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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7. A Prayer for Safety and Protection at School
At one time, we could trust that our kids were safe at school. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Between actions of students and others, our kids might face physical, emotional, and even spiritual dangers while at school. While the world feels uncertain, God’s Word teaches us to trust in his protection and safety more than the world’s. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7) Of course, we should make every practical effort to keep our kids safe at school, but God and his angels can keep them safe at all times. God protects when we can’t.
We should pray that as our children walk into classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds, they are shielded by God’s presence. Safety includes but goes beyond the physical. Others can bully our kids, and we have a spiritual enemy—Satan—who seeks to attack in various ways. Our prayers have power in helping to keep a child safe and feel safe to concentrate on learning and growing while at school. Placing our concerns in God’s hands, we put our children’s work, their spiritual walk, and their safety in God’s hands.
Heavenly Father,
I entrust my child into your hands today. Protect them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Guide their steps and surround them with your presence and angels, keeping them safe as they learn and live for you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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8. A Prayer for Hope and Faith in Jesus Christ
There is one priority over everything else. We must desire and pray for our children to place their faith and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Academic success, friendships, safety, and opportunities are all important, but they don’t mean anything without faith in Christ. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) With faith and focus on Christ alone, God can use every situation, failure, success, and opportunity for our good and his glory.
The world will try influencing our children and taking them on predictable paths. God might use those, but he also takes his people on inconvenient and creative paths, taking them on fascinating journeys to fulfill his will. We should pray that our children learn early to depend on Jesus for guidance in every situation. Faith anchors the child’s heart and will lead them into places they never imagined. And having hope in Christ helps them know that no matter what happens, their future rests in God’s hands. In Christ alone, with faith in him and on his mission, he will turn all things to good (Romans 8:28).
Heavenly Father,
Turn my child’s heart to you. Help them trust you wholeheartedly and not rely upon their understanding. Let their faith grow strong this school year, and fill them with hope in Jesus over everything else.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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Originally published Thursday, 11 September 2025.