Back to School

A new school year is quickly approaching, and for many, has already begun! Over the next few weeks, we will take some time to pray over five specific areas: students, teachers, administration, parents, and local & national leadership. Remember in prayer not only K-12 schools, but also preschools , homeschool, colleges, universities, and seminaries!

*A new section will be added to this page each week.*

Pray for students that...

• anxiousness about a new school year would quickly dissipate.
• their behavior in the classroom will be respectful and they will be ready to learn.
• behavior issues that may be a result of a difficult home life can be recognized and help can be provided for them.
• bullying will be left behind and students would be able to love one another.
• students who have a relationship with Jesus would strengthen their faith through the year.
• those students would be bold to share the Gospel with their friends, teachers, and administrators in their schools.
• students who are not believers would be drawn into a loving relationship with their Savior.

Some Scripture to specifically pray over your students and others as they return to school:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

• Make sure that your children walk in confidence knowing that the Lord is with them and because of that, they can be courageous for Christ.

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

1 Timothy 4:12

• Remind your children that they should represent Christ in what they say, how the act, by loving their friends, sharing their faith, and keeping a pure heart.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

2 Timothy 2:15

• Our kids can be reminded that they should use God's Word properly and they have no reason to be ashamed of the Gospel!

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

Psalm 32:8

• Remind your children that even during difficult seasons, the Lord will guide their footsteps and watch over them.

Pray for teachers that...

• burnout would not take control and that they will be able to rest as needed.
• they would remember to have grace and compassion on the students they teach each day.
• they would be able to make the best of their time with grading, prepping, and teaching.
• they would be able to interact well with students and build strong relationships throughout the year.
• spiritual discernment and wisdom would be at the forefront of their minds when dealing with every situation.
• they would have a strong and dedicated walk with Jesus, being able to spend ample time in the Word and in prayer.
• their mental health would be sustained by Christ.
• they would be in good physical health as they work tirelessly to teach their students this year.
• they would have wonderful loving friends at work that would help them carry the burden of teaching.

Some Scripture to specifically pray over teachers as they return to school:

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"

Colossians 3:23

• Teachers, professors, instructors: Remember who the greatest teacher is and that all you are doing is ultimately for His glory!

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

1 Corinthians 15:58

• Remember that even during a difficult situation in your classroom, you are working for the Lord and even the most tedious and difficult tasks are not in vain if they are done in His name.

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Proverbs 16:3

• Commit every thing you do in and out of the classroom into His hands. He will guide your path if you would obey and be willing.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

• Don't give up! It seems easiest at the beginning of the year, then weariness can grow as time passes, but the command to not grow weary stands. The Lord will bless the direction you guide your students.

Pray for parents that...

• they would be strong advocates for their children in prayer.
• they would have opportunities throughout the year help their child's teacher.
• they would help their children be well equipped to begin the year and work with them throughout the year so that they can get the most out of the school year.
• they will be able to balance work and home life, and make a priority this year to lead their children towards a growing relationship with Jesus.

Some Scripture for parents to encourage them throughout the school year:

"do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6‭-‬7

• Parents are juggling lots of variables during the school year and it's easy to worry, but we are command to not be anxious in ANYTHING, but to bring everything before God. If we do this and guard our own hearts and minds, we will be that much more equipped to help our children.

"Let all that you do be done in love."

1 Corinthians 16:14

• The difficult days. The days when someone had a project that they forgot about, or a test they don't want to study for. Disciplinary issues. The list can continue. Remember that even during the discipline and guidance that all things we do are to be done in love.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23

• The fruits of the Spirit are not something that we do, but rather that the Holy Spirit produces in us when we submit to God. As we allow these fruits to be cultivated in us, we can pour out those fruits into our families.

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Deuteronomy 6:7

• Remember that while your children are learning at school, it is a crucial command that we teach them the Bible at home during every day activities. School is important, but guiding them to Jesus is of eternal importance! 

Pray for the administration that...

• they would work hard to advocate for their teachers and show them just how much they appreciate what they are doing. 
• they would be vigilant to recognize when a teacher needs help or is closing in on being burnt out and would act accordingly to assist them.
• they would be quick to intervene with student behavior for their teachers when there are serious behavior problems 
• they would be able to effectively communicate to teachers, parents, and students throughout the year.
• the individuals who work with the administration to train teachers in specific areas would be well equipped and faithful in their training.

Some Scripture to specifically pray for administration as they begin the year supporting their teachers:

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

• As school administrators make important decisions for teachers and students this year, pray that they remember the true importance of training children!

"'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

Romans 13:9‭b-‬10

• Pray for administrators as they may deal with difficult situations with students, teachers, and parents: that they would remember that even in those hard times, these people are still their neighbor and that showing the love of Christ is still of utmost importance.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

James 1:5

• Pray that they would seek the Lord daily and ask for wisdom that only He can provide so that they are well equipped to help those who need them.

Pray for local, state, and national leadership that...