The summer is quickly coming to an end for our young ones.
It’s almost time to trade beach bags for backpacks. Soon, mornings for sleeping in will now start extra early to make it to the bus on time. School events will start to fill up the calendar again, between extracurricular activities, parent-teacher conferences, field trips, and more. As a parent, you might have mixed feelings about back-to-school time. You might be looking forward to quiet days at home, but you’ll also miss the peals of laughter in the house and the sound of running little feet. Or maybe back-to-school time feels stressful because you know you’ll have to pack more into your schedule—which can be difficult with work and other responsibilities. If one or more of your children struggle in school, you might be anticipating giving up more time to help them with homework or encourage their focus.
No matter how you’re feeling about back to school time, you can bring everything to God. He is the One who will not only carry your children but your whole family through this school year. To help encourage your prayers to the Lord in this season, we have provided some prayers below that you can pray as the school year approaches.
When Back to School Time Feels Bittersweet
Dear Lord,
Thank you that my children have the opportunity to go to school. I confess that as we prepare as a family for the new school year, my heart feels sad. Soon, I know I will have to wave goodbye to them as they hop on the bus or when I drop them off. I will miss their presence with me and the fun times we get to spend together. I know that I will worry about them during the school day. I’ll worry if they’ll make it to their classes okay, if they’ll have friends to sit with at lunch, or if they’ll get picked on by other students.
I want so badly to protect them from everything, but I know that I can’t. So help me to remember that my children are in Your hands, Lord.
I can’t be with them during the school day, but You will be with them.
I can’t protect them, but You will.
So help me entrust my children to You, believing that they will be okay—because You will watch over them. And in the moments I feel a twinge of sadness, give me Your peace and comfort, and help me to treasure the time I have with them now before the school year begins.
Amen.
When Back to School Time Feels Stressful
God,
There is so much to do right now! The school supply list feels endless, and I feel overwhelmed running from store to store to get what my kids need. I wanted to end this summer feeling rested and content, but I feel the opposite. I lay awake at night thinking about all that I need to do and what I need to prepare.
What ifs fill my mind: What if I forget something that they need? What if I get the date wrong for orientation? What if they get sick and miss the first day of class?
Lord, please meet me in these fears.
Pour Your peace over me, and settle my worried mind. Help me to trust You with all the details. Help me to trust that You will give my children what they need.
Even if things don’t go as planned, I know that You are in control. Help me to believe that truth right here and now. I confess my lack of trust in You at times and my tendency to rely on my own self-sufficiency over dependency on You. You are the One who empowers me. You are the One who provides for me and my family. So help me to depend on you alone, God, for all that I need to do now and into the future.
I know that because You are with me, I can rest secure.
Amen.
When Back to School Time Feels Frustrating
Lord,
My children are such a gift to me, but as the school year approaches, I’m anticipating a whole host of difficult moments as a parent.
I know there will be days when they forget to tell me about an important project or don’t hand me a paper I needed to sign. So when those times come, please give me patience. Help me to take a breath and be slow to anger.
I know there will be long nights trying to help my kids work through a math problem they can’t understand or help them prepare for tests. And while I’m so thankful that I can come alongside them in these ways, I know those moments will be tiresome. I know those moments will require a lot of self-control as I struggle to be patient with them and to give up my time for them. I’m already struggling with how my schedule is changing to accommodate the approaching school year.
In the moments when frustration takes over, I pray that you would help me to respond like Christ. Help me to love my kids well by giving them my attention and time. Help me to be quick to forgive and to use moments when my kids struggle or mess up to teach them and encourage their growth.
Help me to see the hard moments as opportunities to grow more into the image of Christ.
Amen.
