A new school year is both exciting and stressful for students and parents alike. Religious families can invite God into this time of transition with some simple back to school prayers.
The following prayers can be shared during the first day or week of school, after a school vacation, or any time a child or teen is struggling at school.
Prayer for Breakfast on the First Day of School
Families can share this prayer at the breakfast table, with the whole family present, as a grace to bless the family’s food and the student’s new time at school. Use for the first day, week, or couple of weeks of school, until the student feels adjusted in the new school routine.
"Loving God, bless this food and all who eat it. May this food fuel a new day and many blessings, especially for (insert student’s name) as he/she begins a new school year (or semester). Grant (student’s name) strength and courage for the challenges of this new journey. Encourage (student’s name) as he/she meets new people and gets used to a new place. Walk beside (student’s name) to keep him/her free from anxiety and fear, and guide (student’s name) to learn and grow in Your name today and always. Amen.”
Prayer for Student Attending a New School For the First Time
Starting a new school can be stressful for a child or teen. Ease this transition with the following prayer, asking God to protect the student and be present, as God was for His Son, Jesus.
“Loving God, You guided your Son, Jesus to the temple to grow and learn. Bless (insert student’s name) as he/she enters a new temple, (insert new school’s name here). Please prosper (student’s name) and bless his/her future in this new place. Amen.”
Repeat the prayer often with the student, encourage an older child or teen to say the prayer alone, or even copy the prayer on a piece of paper and instruct a student to place it in his/her pocket for comfort during the transition into a new school.
Prayer for Child Going to School for the First Time
A child attending school for the first time is a big transition in any family, but especially for that child and a parent/caregiver who’s used to being at home with the child.
The following prayer offers a short blessing for both child and parent dropping off the child for the first day of the child’s school career.
“Loving God, bless (child’s name) on his/her first day of school. He/she is your beloved child, with whom you are well pleased. Keep him/her safe in Your loving arms, no matter where he/she is. Comfort also (name of parent dropping child off) who will miss (child's name) while he/she is at school today. Bless (recite names of family members individually), also, and bring them all together at the end of the day. Amen.”
Thanksgiving Prayer for First Day of School
Religious families can also offer God thanks at the conclusion of the first day of school with the following family prayer. Invite the family to gather in a circle, including the children and teens who finished a day of school that day. Invite family members to offer their thanksgivings for the day in the pause at the prayer’s conclusion.
“Loving God, thank you for the gift of this day. Thank you that (student’s name) successfully completed his/her first day of school today. (Clap, and encourage family to applause, holler, and show joy at this blessing)."
"Thank you for all the blessings of that day for (student’s name). (Encourage the student to list highlights of the first day aloud here.)"
"Thank you for the ways you have blessed our entire family today. (Encourage other family members to share the highlights of their days aloud). May You shine Your loving face upon us always, Amen.”
Many families find a great deal of support and encouragement from prayer, particularly when the whole family, family friends, and other members of the child's support team pray for the child and share in these and other prayer exercises. Constant prayer associated with school will build up a child's sense of God's presence with him/her always, especially at school.
For other prayer ideas,one may enjoy the Back to School Devotion , Prayers for Fall or Prayers of Intercession: How to Pray for Others.
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