Prayer for Students and Parents

Written by Erika Castiglione

Although we technically celebrate the new year in January, for most of us, the end of August is really when the true new year begins. I’m sure this is true for the twenty-plus teachers in our congregation as well as the many students and parents. I still get a rush of nostalgia when I walk by the school supply section of Target (even though they no longer sell the Trapper Keepers of my youth). I remember well my own anxiousness starting new schools growing up, and the mixed emotions I felt dropping off my little ones at kindergarten, and later my bigger kids at college.

On Monday night, we gathered as a congregation to pray in this new year with some excitement and a little trepidation, and to encourage one another. Below is one of the prayers we prayed that might be a helpful guide for you whether you are going or sending to school in the coming days.

Father,

Thank you that we can ask you to bless our children, and you invite them to come to you. I pray for all the children within our families and within our church family-whether they are going to preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, or college, that you would go before them and that you would surround them with love, grace, and protection. I pray for a love of learning and for growth in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I pray for discernment to understand the difference between truth and lies, good decisions and bad. I pray for good friends who will sharpen, encourage, and comfort them. I pray that they would be a good friend to others, and shine as a light in their schools as they show kindness and respect to everyone, invite in those who are left out, and speak up when necessary. I pray they would know your voice and walk in it.

I pray also for the parents, relatives, and friends of these children-- that they would not fear, but find peace in you, trusting in your plan for their child. I pray that you would comfort those dropping a child off for the first time, whether it’s kindergarten or college, and I pray that they would be reminded of your powerful and loving care.

Thank you for understanding our hopes and fears for those we love. Thank you that you are a good father who can be trusted. We pray for blessing and growth and your glory in the next school year.

Amen.