7 Verses to Pray Over Your Child as They Go Back to School

Back to school - such a bitter sweet time in our family. My girls were so excited to start at a new school today - to make new friends, be in a new room with new toys and new books, to sleep on cots and eat at new tables! But it also means that they are not with me 24/7 - that I am missing out on those silly little things they say that keep me going through the day. And it also means that I am not there for those teachable moments. But I trust their teachers and in our most amazing God to care for them and to love them, and to ease my worries, I pray.

Here are 7 verses I will be praying over my girls as they go back to school:


1. 1 Timothy 4:12 - Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Lord, help my children to be little shining lights - a sign to all of your love for us. Help them to make good choices and develop good friendships. Help them to love their neighbors.


2. Joshua 1:9 - This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Lord, remove all fear from my children about school this year. Help them to adjust to a new schedule, help them to not be afraid to talk to new people and make new friends.


3. Philippians 4:8 - Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Lord, I ask that you please fill their heads with so many true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable things that there is no room for anything negative. Give them JOY in their day, and good thoughts and dreams as they sleep.


4. Isaiah 30:21 - Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left.

Lord, guide their steps. Even as preschoolers, they are learning to make choices that will stay with them in life. Please help me to guide them in the way they should be going and to encourage them as they learn to listen to you. Please help me teach them to pray and to always turn to you first.


5. Matthew 18:10 - Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

Lord, I ask that you surround my children with your presence and your angels. I ask that you protect them from harm and from illness. I ask that you place people in their lives that will value them.


6. Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Lord, help my children to honor you with their speech. Help them to talk to each other and to their friends, teachers, family, and parents in a way that is pleasing and deflects anger. And Lord, as parents, help us to model this loving, gentle speech.


7. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Lord, above all else, I ask that you bring my children in to your arms. That you help them to KNOW you, to desire you, to trust you, and to rely on you.

Blessings on your school year, whether day care, elementary, middle school, high school, home school, private, public, or even teaching!  May you also find Joy in your days and remember to turn to your Heavenly Father when you feel overwhelmed or afraid.