mom praying with her daughter on the first day of school

A Mother’s Prayer for the First Day of School

Whether this is your first school year your child will be heading off to preschool or is a high school senior or in college, your mother’s prayer for the first day of school are important for you and for your child.  The first day of school is a big milestone in the life of your child and probably you as well!

Whether you are buying school supplies, planning delicious lunches, or thinking about all the little things that will change as your kids head off to school, your prayers, words of encouragement, and all the unique ways you love your child will continue to follow your child as they go to school.  

mother's prayer for the first day of school - praying with her daughter with a yellow back pack

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A Mother’s Prayer for the First Day of School

You don’t have to have the right words in your prayer requests in order for God to listen to your prayers.  As you pray, think about all the people who will impact your child’s life this year.  Throughout the school day, the school staff, school administrators, your children’s teachers, and the peer pressure from their classmates, will all have an impact on your child’s mind and life.  

Pray for each of these people in your school system and pray for kind friendships, a heart of wisdom for your child, and the strength of will to do what is right.  

A mother’s prayer for the first day of school will help to set the year in the right direction. Praying one day at a time throughout the entire year will be a key to your child’s success, ability to focus on the good things, and your mindset in letting your child “go” while keeping them close.

First Day of School Prayers for Your Children

The start of the school year brings many emotions and feelings as children prepare for a new classroom and experience and moms (and dads) are looking ahead to a change in routines, friendships, and influences that will impact your children and eventually your family.  

This collection of prayers can be used as a guide as you pray for your kids.  These powerful prayers for your children are important for you to give God your worries and concerns as well as remind your children that God is with them even when they are nervous or afraid.  Knowing that a mother’s prayer for the first day of school is just the beginning of the school year journey of praying for your kids!

Dear Heavenly Father, As my child steps into a new school year, I pray for Your protection and guidance. Surround them with Your love and keep them safe from harm. Help them navigate new experiences, make wise choices, and stay strong in their faith. May Your presence be with them in every moment, giving them courage and confidence as they learn new things.  Thank you for your divine protection every day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dear Lord, Thank you so much for this child!  They are ready to start a new school year and I ask for Your blessing on my child’s social interactions this school year. Help them to make good friends who will uplift and support them. Grant them a sense of belonging and acceptance. May they be a source of kindness and encouragement to others, reflecting Your love in all their relationships.  Thank you so much for your blessings!  
In Your precious name, Amen.

Gracious God, I pray for my little girl’s academic journey. Fill her mind with knowledge, curiosity, and a love for learning. Give her perseverance and determination in her studies. Help her to discover her talents and passions and help her to be a good friend and helper in the classroom. Help her to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man just like Jesus did.  Thank you for her new teacher and help them to encourage her to do what is right.  Please bless all who will come in contact with my daughter and help her to be a light for you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Loving Father, As my son begins this new school year, I pray for peace and calm in his heart. I know he is anxious and worried about who he will be friends with and how the year will go with his new teacher.  Please ease any anxieties or fears he may have. Help him to feel Your presence and reassurance as he learns and grows. Give him the strength to face challenges with a positive attitude and a steady spirit.  In this new year, I pray that you will be ever present in his thoughts and that his actions will reflect the love he has for you.  When he makes mistakes, I pray that he will be caught so that he can learn and change his ways.  Thank you for the people – the teachers and staff members – you have placed in his school and I pray that they will encourage to walk in your ways.  In Your name, I pray, Amen.

Dear Jesus, I ask that you fill my children with enthusiasm and excitement for the year ahead. Please help them approach each day with a joyful heart and a positive outlook. Help them to find joy in their studies, friendships, and activities. Let their joy be contagious, spreading light and happiness to those around them.  Please help them to be blessing to their teachers and a witness to the those they come in contact with each day.  Thank you for their enthusiasm at the start of school this year.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As you think about the specific needs or challenges your child is facing, you can modify these first day of school prayers for your children. God loves to hear your prayers and He knows exactly what you and your child need. Remember that a mother’s prayer for the first day of school is simply a beginning point for the school year and not a blanket one time prayer for the year. Your daily prayers for your child won’t end on the second day of school.

Prayer for Parents 

Your children aren’t the only ones who are experiencing a transition when they go to school! Whenever there is a change in the family routine and dynamic, it impacts a lot of things!  This may be your first year sending a child off to school.  With that, comes changes in the influences that your child will have, new experiences that you are not a part of, and trying to figure out how to stay connected to your child even when you’re apart.  

God knows what it’s like to send a son away.  He knows the heartache, the loss, and the loneliness that comes with that.  As you pray into this school year and all the transitions that will come with it, remember that you are not alone!  

Here are some examples of prayer for parents that you can make your own for this school year.  

Heavenly Father, As our children return to school, we entrust them into Your loving care. Help us to let go of our anxieties and place our trust in You. Give us peace in knowing that You are watching over them, guiding their steps, and protecting them from harm. Strengthen our faith as we entrust their safety and well-being to You.  Help us to ask the right questions and keep a strong relationship with our children this year.  Help us to know when to set aside time to spend with them and when to give them space as they grow and learn.  Please give us wisdom as we support, encourage, and love our children.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dear Lord, We pray for our children’s academic success as they start a new school year. Grant them wisdom, understanding, and a passion for learning. Help them to grasp new concepts and excel in their studies. Help them to make friends who will encourage them to do what is right and help them to be a positive example in their classrooms.  May they use their knowledge to glorify You and serve others. Give us the patience and wisdom to support them as they grow and learn this year.  In Your name, Amen.

Dear God, We lift up our children’s social lives to You at this time of year when they are meeting and making new friends. May they form healthy, meaningful friendships that encourage and uplift them. Help them to be kind, inclusive, and compassionate towards their peers. Guide them in making good choices and standing strong against negative influences. Let their interactions reflect Your love and grace.  Help us to be good role models for them and show them how to love others like You love us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Loving Father, Today, as our children head off to school, we ask for Your blessing on their emotional well-being. Help them to manage stress, anxiety, and any challenges they may face. Grant them resilience and a positive mindset. May they find comfort in Your presence and strength in their faith. Surround them with supportive friends, teachers, and family members.  Help me to be a good parent and give me the wisdom to know when to listen, when to speak, and how to encourage them.  Guide me as I support them this year.  In Your precious name, Amen.

Dear Jesus, We pray for a joyful and balanced school year for our children. Help them to find joy in their studies, activities, and friendships. Grant them the ability to balance their academic responsibilities with rest and play. Help us to know how to balance our home life with the addition of the school year schedule.  Please help us to put You first in every day as a witness to our children.  Please give us patience as we encourage them in their homework, give us the right questions to ask to understand their frustrations, and love no matter what happens this year.  Help our family to bring joy to those around them.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

These first day of school prayers can be used any day of the school year. Not just on the first day! But as you pray for your children throughout the year, you will be able to pray for the specific needs and challenges your child has and is dealing with.

These prayers for parents can help you give your worries and concerns to God and trust Him with your children and their future.

chalkboard background with "A mother's prayer for the first day of school" typed on it.

Short Prayer for Students and Teachers  

As you continue to pray throughout the school year, include the other students in the classroom as well as the teachers.  When your child has good friends who surround and teachers who are passionate about their job and joyful in their life, your child will be able to love learning.  A teacher can never have too many people praying for their success and patience each day.  

Here are 5 short prayers for students and teachers that you can use or modify to pray this year.  

Heavenly Father, We pray for the students as they begin their school year. Grant them the wisdom and understanding to grasp new concepts and the diligence to study and learn. Guide them in their academic pursuits and help them to discover their talents and passions. Surround them with supportive friends and mentors, and protect them from discouragement and distractions.  Please bless their teachers as they work hard to plan good lessons, have patience, and encourage each child to learn.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dear Lord, We lift up the teachers who dedicate their lives to educating and nurturing the minds of their students. Grant them wisdom, patience, and creativity in their teaching. Help them to inspire and engage their students, and give them the strength to persevere through challenges. Help them to find joy and fulfillment in their calling, and may their efforts bear fruit in the lives of their students.  In Your name, Amen.

Dear God, We pray for a positive and nurturing learning environment for both students and teachers. Let the classrooms be places of mutual respect, encouragement, and growth. Help the students to be kind and supportive of one another, and teachers to be compassionate and understanding. May Your peace and love fill the halls and classrooms.  Send your angels to walk the halls and fill each space with heavenly presence for safety and protection.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Loving Father, We ask for Your strength and resilience for both students and teachers as they navigate the challenges of the school year. Help them to overcome the obstacles that will surely come, manage the stress each day, and stay focused on their goals. Help them to have the support to perseverance and keep going when things get tough, and the grace to learn from their mistakes. Help them to find comfort and encouragement in Your presence.  In Your precious name, Amen.

Dear Jesus, We pray for the relationships between the students and teachers. Help them to listen to one another with open hearts and minds. Foster a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, and help them to appreciate each other’s perspectives and contributions. May their interactions be marked by kindness, empathy, and a shared commitment to learning and growth.  Fill the teachers will your love as they care for the students entrusted to their care this year.  Thank You for providing for the needs in our school.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Your long or short prayers for students and teachers can be a powerful way to support your child as they go off to school each day.  Remember, even when you don’t know exactly what to pray for, God knows your heart!  Reminding your child that you are praying for them and that God loves you can be a huge encouragement for your child. Using encouraging scripture lunch box notes, praying aloud, and memorizing scripture promises with your child can help them to develop a deep love and trust in God’s care for them.

Prayer for First Day of School

No matter what first day of school this is for you or your child, your prayers are important for you and your child.  For you, praying helps you put your worries and fears in God’s hands and helps you learn to trust Him.  For your child, your prayers represent a tangible connection with God.  

Let your child know, see, and hear your prayers and that you are praying for them.  As they trust you, they will also learn to trust God and the fact that He has good plans for them this school year.  

Prayers for your child aren’t only important on the first day of school but all through the year!  

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