Yes, it’s that time of year again, back-to-school. And it’s that time of year again, back-to-school prayers. Please know that I’m praying for all of you currently in the rigors of teaching and learning. As you get your school clothes and supplies ready to go, I believe it is even more important to start the year off with prayers asking God for His guidance, blessings, and protection.
Some years ago I shared back-to-school prayers with you here in The Citizen. Even so, in this new school year I will share such prayers with you again today. I encourage you to pray these prayers. Find the category that fits your situation or pray them all. And I ask you to pray them whether you or your own children are in these stages or not.
Please pray with me.
For our Pre-Schoolers: Dear Heavenly Father, look after these dear little ones who step out into our world in this new and special way. Give them the love of learning and the joy of playing together. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our Kindergarten students: Dear Heavenly Father, place Your protective hand upon these little ones who enter for the first time the daily and day-long joys and rigors of education. Bless them with the knowledge that You are always with them. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our Elementary students: Dear Heavenly Father, these children are so eager to learn. Bless them as they build their life-long skills in reading, language arts, math, social studies, music, PE, art, and all their subjects. Let them grow in wisdom and understanding. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our Middle School students: Dear Heavenly Father, these young people are in such an important time in their lives. Stay close to them throughout these years. Help them to make the right choices in a difficult world. Let them enjoy the days of their youth as they move into the knowledge of a sophisticated and advancing world. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our High School students: Dear Heavenly Father, protect and defend these precious young people. Let their days in high school be ones of fond memories and great advances in learning. Give them wisdom to follow Your ways even when others may be pressuring them to ignore or deny You. Keep them safe in cars, in sports, in all their extracurricular activities, and in all they do. And give them everything they need. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our College students: Dear Heavenly Father, we pray especially for all freshmen who open such a big new chapter in their lives right now. Fill them with Your power to accomplish their task of gaining education and growing into full adulthood. Bless all college students. Let them all use the academic ability which You have given them to their fullest potential. Let them be faithful in studying and give them special wisdom for exams and papers. Keep them chaste in their relationships. Watch over them, O Lord, and also keep them safe and give them everything they need. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our Graduate School students: Dear Heavenly Father, we know that all knowledge comes from You. Bless those who seek extraordinary levels of learning and wisdom in specific fields of study. Be with those who continue to study and learn even while already working. We pray, O Lord, especially for those who are in seminary, preparing for a life’s work in Your Church. Grant that all may seek Your Face and serve You faithfully. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our Teachers, Administrators, Support Staff, and Bus Drivers: Dear Heavenly Father, we pray fervently for all of these servants, who are called to their specific endeavors at every level of education. Let them all know Your approval for what they are doing. Let them all know our appreciation for what they are giving to our children, youth, and to other adults. Give Your power, O Lord, to all these educational leaders. They all face such monumental challenges every day. Let Your hand of protection be upon them, and Your strength and patience guide them. Let Your gift of grace surround them and encourage them, and let Your spirit of love pour through them. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our Parents and Grandparents: Dear Heavenly Father, every parent and grandparent gives You great thanks for the gift of our children and grandchildren. Let us be wise as we raise them to walk in Your ways. Strengthen us so that we may help them have the best foundation in education possible. Let us always know that Your strength is our strength. Help us to have patience and endurance, and help us to appreciate the sheer joy of raising children. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
And so, O Lord, bless all these for whom we pray in this back-to-school season. We commend the lives of them all into Your loving Hands. In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen!
[Dr. Justin Kollmeyer is a retired Lutheran minister who has lived in Fayette County for 38 years, raising his family here and now having his grandchildren regularly come and enjoy our wonderful community. He currently serves part-time at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Atlanta, and is also available for substitute preaching in any church that wants and needs an authentic Biblical message that is Christ-centered and traditionally grounded. Reach him at justin.kollmeyer@gmail.com.]
