In the year’s past, as summer draws to a close, there is a familiar energy and excitement that fills the air for most families. Despite the fact that summertime is ending, kids begin to anticipate the beginning of a new school year! This pivotal time in our history has turned everything inside out, upside down and backwards. There’s been a complete shift in the way we live our lives. Nothing is certain and we feel like we don’t have much of a choice in all of this. But we do! The real choice has nothing to do with where our kids will go to school or if they will wear a mask. We all have a choice in Whom we will put our faith and our trust! As we navigate this school year, let’s support one another through PRAYER!
The LifeSongs Prayer School of the Day is back, too – please click here to nominate your school! And please join us in the prayers below for all involved in this 2020 school year.
BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER FOR STUDENTS
Friday, 9/4 – Dear Father, thank you once again for today, as always. Thank you for the brain you’ve given these students and the wisdom you’ve granted them. Today, I pray you open their minds to learn and grant them retentive memory and understanding in all they learn. Help them oh, Lord. We commit our students into your hands today, Lord. We pray that they will be made proper like it was said of Moses, in Jesus name. They will not be ordinary but exhibit extraordinary traits in all that they do. We pray as they go to school today, their lives will be a light in their school in Jesus name. Amen.
Thursday, 9/3 – I ask that you would bless our students. Bless them with a clear, sharp mind. Bless them with your thoughts when they encounter problems, temptations, and difficult decisions. Bless them with the best teachers and the best situations for learning.Bless them with wise mentors and counselors. Bless them with the opportunity to meet many great Christian men and women who sincerely love you and live for you. Bless them often, reminding them that their Heavenly Father loves them, and is daily seeking to deepen their relationship.
Wednesday, 9/2 – Guard our students from those who bully or tease because of their own insecurities. As iron sharpens iron, may they choose friends wisely, always asking You to lead them and guide them in their relationships. Help them to be slow to anger and quick to listen. You have promised to give wisdom when we ask, so prod them to speak up when their words can make a difference. Show our students how to bless their friends, to stand up for them, and to take the initiative in helping others in times of discouragement. Help them understand that friendship is a boomerang. Kindness and unselfishness given away will return to them as a blessing. And above all, may they always consider You, Lord, as their Best Friend.
Tuesday, 9/1 – Father, We pray that our students will never forget who they are and no matter what they face, they will remember that they do not face it alone or in their own strength. Lord Jesus, strengthen our students for the road ahead in mind, body and in spirit. Overwhelm them with your holy presence and fully equip them to fulfill the calling that you have placed on their life as I know you are preparing each one of them for an extraordinary Kingdom purpose! Amen.
Monday, 8/31 – Father God, no matter what school model our students participate in, help them to learn and grow in the classroom and most importantly, to prioritize their relationship with you. Help them be shining lights for Jesus in and out of the classroom. Help them foster healthy relationships with their friends, teachers and family. Give them the holy confidence they need to stand up for what is right. Bless them with the courage they need to not go along with the crowd and to follow you and what you ask of them. Help them develop a strong, confident voice to speak truth when the lies are tempting and attractive. Infuse them with a holy boldness in their faith through all that they think, say and do.
Friday, 8/28 – 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. 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.
Thursday, 8/27 – 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.
Wednesday, 8/26 – Lord, bless our students with the kind of study habits that help them do their best. Teach them how to manage their time and energy as good stewards of all You have given them. Show them how to develop their talents, to find the path You have set before them, and to be courageous and adventurous to try new things and learn new skills.. Show them the importance of learning, remembering that You are always with them, leading them as they acknowledge You daily. Eliminate the distractions in their lives that keep them from excellence. Give them persistence and the desire to follow through with each assignment. When things seem difficult, provide the help they need. Help them to be excited about their studies, to be creative in their endeavors, and to remember Who and Whose they are at all times.
Tuesday, 8/25 – Lord Jesus, school can be a welcome place or a lonely experience for our students. Guide them as they seek to make new friends. Encourage the timid students and give them boldness and strength in knowing they are loved, unique, and created by You. To the insecure, grant confidence so they can be free to help others find the same assurance in You.
Monday, 8/24 – Lord Jesus we thank you for our students. We know that each one of them has been called by name and is precious in your sight. Father God, we ask for your divine protection over each one of your children as they prepare to return to school this year. Whether they return to school face to face or they attend virtually, we ask that you give them eyes to see and hearts to understand that their parents have made decisions that they feel are in their best interest. We know that this year is going to be full of change and unpredictability. Heavenly Father, we pray that you will help them navigate these changes well. When everything around them is uncertain and constantly changing, help them seek your face and your unchanging character. Lord, help them hide your word in their hearts so that when tough times come, they will be able to cling to your promises in scripture.
BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
Friday, 8/21 – Lord, We thank you for your promise of divine protection upon our life and the life of our loved ones. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe while at school, work, church, and in their comings and their goings. Thank you for protecting our family’s minds, hearts, and bodies from hurt, harm, or danger. Your Word is truth, and I praise you for it! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Thursday, 8/20 – Lord, Thank you for the gift of your peace. Help us to focus on you so we can walk in your peace every day. Help us to guard our hearts and minds with your Word so we can stay in tune with your voice and will for our lives. Help us to sow peace into our family and the lives of those around me. Bring people into our lives who can speak truth and who can encourage us for the long haul. Father, this virus has not only become intrusive, but it has become divisive. As your children, Lord, unite us for Kingdom purpose and help us fight the battle ahead as ONE, not as many. It is our prayer today that we will work to build each other up instead of tear each other down. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Wednesday, 8/19 – Lord, today we ask for your divine provision to carry our families into your divine purpose for our lives. Help us rest in the fact that you are good and your provision is always right on time. Thank you for blessing our family with the resources to take care of ourselves and for the overflow to bless others. Help us to always remember the truth of your Word when circumstances tell us otherwise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, 8/18 – Lord, Please help us to fully trust you in all that I do. We give you any anxiety, fear, or other emotion that is getting in the way of hearing your voice. We thank you that you care for us and will take my burdens as long as we trust you. Give us a renewed sense of trust in you so we can be the very best parent possible. Lord, we pray that your voice will be heard above the crowd and you will help us make decisions that are best for our students, for our family and our unique circumstances. We realize Father God that none of these choices are a “one size fit all approach.” We know that some families are facing decisions that feel impossible. Lord, we ask you to strengthen all families. Be with each family today in a uniquely powerful way. Help them navigate the road ahead in a way that honors you and the Kingdom.
Monday, 8/17 – Father God, if we are honest, things seem really hard and quite daunting right now. Parenting our children under “normal” circumstances is challenging enough…but parenting during a global pandemic has truly stretched us in ways that we could never have imagined. Lord, we put our full trust in you and you alone. We ask for a daily infusion of your precious holy spirit. Overwhelm us with your presence. May you never tire of reminding us that we are not facing any of this alone. Heavenly Father, we ask for your grace, wisdom and discernment as we face decisions that we don’t feel equipped or informed enough to make. We ask for your divine protection as we make decisions now and in the coming weeks. Help us choose respect over judgement. Help us to choose love over being right every time. Father God, help us see one another with your eyes and make decisions that will build up your Kingdom, not tear it down.
BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER FOR TEACHERS
Friday, 8/14 – Heavenly Father, we bring before You all the teachers and pray that You would guard and guide them in the vital responsibility of educating a new generation of children and young people. Lord, we pray that You would challenge the hearts of our educators to recognise the vulnerabilities of children and to balance discipline with dignity and control with care. When their minds question and their hearts doubt, help them hear a powerful word of TRUTH from you. Overwhelm them with your peace that surpasses all understanding and help them feel your holy presence. Give them the blessed assurance that you have gone before them and prepared the way in advance.
Thursday, 8/13 – We come to you today and give thanks to all our teachers. Thank you for the way in which they give of themselves each day in the classroom, Serving and instructing the next generation. We thank you for them all now. Father, please fill their hearts with courage now by your mighty Spirit. Fill them with your strength, so they may rise to every challenge and not grow weary. Fill them with your wisdom, so that they may be able to make good judgement when guiding and helping others. Fill them with your peace, so that when stress and anxiety comes it would not overwhelm them. Fill them with your joy, so that the passion they have for their subject may become a passion that spreads.
Wednesday, 8/12 – God, Thank you for the teachers that are choosing to teach to make a difference. Help them to Love kids and help them grow into strong, healthy, well-educated people. We ask God, that You continue to equip, encourage, and strengthen them in their profession so they can make a great impact in these students’ lives. Lord Jesus, we ask a special blessing upon each one of our teachers. We pray for their protection, their health, their minds, bodies and spirits. Fortify them with everything. We also ask that this school year be one that is memorable and transformative. Allow each teacher to speak truth and wisdom into each and every child they teach this year.
Tuesday, 8/11 – Grant our teachers an abundance of Your wisdom. Prepare their hearts to welcome and love our loved ones, and may we make sure to show them love and respect in return. Give them grace as they help students who aren’t thriving, courage to say what needs to be said, tools and knowledge on how and when to speak love, and strength when they feel weak. When they feel unseen, remind them that no moment goes unnoticed. They are shaping the future in one million small – yet incredibly important – ways every day. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of learning they share with our children. Bless them, Lord, and may they see even just a glimpse of how their faithfulness will forever impact generations to come.
Monday, 8/10 – Father God, we thank you for our teachers. They are truly treasured gifts to our schools and to our families. Lord, we pray for each teacher today that they may willingly embrace their unique gifting and your individual call on their life. We ask that you will equip them to meet new, daily challenges and encourage them for the long road ahead. Give them the patience and flexibility they need to endure during these uncertain times. We pray for their wisdom and discernment over the coming weeks and months as they prepare to re enter the classroom, whether it be virtually or face to face. We ask that you will strengthen their spirits, refresh their weariness, comfort their fears and help them to redirect their focus to you and you alone.
BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER FOR ADMINISTRATORS
Friday, 8/7 – Lord, I pray for our principals, that they will recognize the responsibility You have given them. May they walk in wisdom, integrity, grace, and truth, and may they act in the best interest of the students at their school. Father, help them lead in a way that is honoring to you and that brings you glory. We pray for each administrator to see our current circumstances through a Kingdom lens and for your plan and purpose to be accomplished in and through them.
Thursday, 8/6 – Lord, we ask for a supernatural encounter of You for the administrators of our schools and universities. Lord, that they would be awakened to Your greatness and the depths of Your beauty. May they be overcome by Your wonder and love. Lord we pray for the mind of Christ to operate in true wisdom and understanding. God we ask that you will protect them and guide them through this arduous decision making process. Give them fresh eyes to see things from your perspective. Give them ears to hear your voice over the noise of others that are vying for their attention. Soften their hearts for the needs of the greater good and give them hands to receive help from you and from others. Lord give them a voice to speak truth. Help season their words with salt and make them an instrument for your peace.
Wednesday, 8/5 – Lord, we ask for insight and wisdom to bring out the best in these administrators to serve. Lord, give them grace to mentor in Jesus name. Lord, we pray for grace to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to seek excellence and understanding of what is on Your heart. May they push others to embrace Your best for themselves and their students. Give them insights into each teacher’s unique gifts, strengths and abilities so that they might use each teacher in ways that contribute greatly to the common good. Reward them by allowing them to see the fruits of their labor displayed in the success of their teachers and students. Accept our prayer today as an expression of our gratefulness to you and to them for their dedication in making our schools a central and vital part of our community.
Tuesday, 8/4 – Dear God, we come to you today asking your blessing on our school administrators. Thank you that they have answered the call to lead our teachers and schools so that our children might learn in a safe and nurturing environment conducive to academic and personal success. Bless our school administrators with wisdom, integrity, a sense of humor, patience and the physical and mental energy equal to their tasks. Bless them with strong support from parents, teachers and the community.
Monday, 8/3 – Heavenly Father, we lift up our school administrators to you today. We know they are tired and weary and in need of your refreshment. We pray that they will be strengthened by your mighty hand in mind, body and spirit. Lord, we know there are so many decisions to make and changing variables to consider.. Father, We pray they will look to you for wisdom, guidance and discernment. We pray that they will stand up for what is right and not be swayed by what is popular and only in the best interest of a few. God we ask that you will protect them and guide them through this arduous decision making process. Give them fresh eyes to see things from your perspective. Give them ears to hear your voice over the noise of others that are vying for their attention. Soften their hearts for the needs of the greater good and give them hands to receive help from you and from others. Lord give them a voice to speak truth. Help season their words with salt and make them an instrument for your peace.