Taking away the transformative power of prayer from the school system is limiting what can be gotten from school and leaving the system (the school, students, teachers, and parents) open to avoidable dangers.
The Bible tells us clearly to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways (Proverbs 3:6). Jesus also taught us to pray that we should not be led into temptation and be delivered from evil (Matthew 6:13).
I’ll be highlighting 51 back-to-school prayers for parents, teachers, and students in this post with scriptures to pray them to pass. But before we continue, why are prayers necessary as school sessions commence?
Why Are Back-To-School Prayers Necessary?
1. To get direction from God
There are many decisions we make or want to make that seem best based on our calculations but aren’t. Prayer is the way of getting direction from God both in running the affairs of the school (for teachers) and in taking decisions for the best interest of the children (for parents).
God might just ask you to change your child’s school. Proverbs 3:6
2. To keep unforeseen evils away
We aren’t praying because we are scared; instead, we aren’t scared because we are praying. The COVID pandemic only revealed to us how very uncertain life can become or is already.
When we pray God goes before us and clears off any danger that may be ahead during the academic year. Matthew 6:13
3. For grace and effectiveness in the school
There is the place for structures, experience, and expertise in raising and educating children but God’s grace can make all the difference. When we commit the school and the teachers into the hands of God, we can go to rest trusting that God will use them as tools to make our children better.
The teachers will know the right words to say that will build the child and the school will not impose policies that will take the values of God’s Kingdom from the student. Psalms 127:1
4. For help from God for the students
God is the best teacher (Job 36:22). Inviting Him to teach the students and make them understand beyond what their physical teachers can do is the surest way of making sure they truly learn.
I am a testimony of God teaching beyond human teachers as throughout my school days my results were always far beyond my input the more I committed to God. John 14:26
5. It is submitting to God
We can go on and on listing all the reasons we should pray during this back-to-school season but they can all be summarised in this point.
Praying is submitting to God, it is acknowledging that we need Him. (Not praying is pride). When we submit to God we are open to Him and all He can do. That very act of submission allows Him to do beyond anything we can ask of Him. Ephesians 3:20
9 Back-To-School Prayers For Parents With Bible Verses
1. Father, you are the father of all fathers. Supply the resources I will need to give my children as they return to school.
Psalm 23:1 ERV The LORD is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need.
2. Dear Lord, direct me and guide the decisions I make as my children return to school so they (decisions) can align with your will and be the best for them (the children).
Isaiah 48:17 NIV This is what the LORD says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
3. Father help me be present for my children and provide all the support they will need as they go back to school
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
4. Father help me remain sensitive to the spiritual and emotional needs of my children and engrace me to provide them
Isaiah 41:15 ERV Look, I have made you like a new threshing board with many sharp teeth. You will trample mountains and crush them. You will make the hills like chaff.
5. Father strengthen me physically and emotionally for all the activities and demands that come with this new academic session
Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
6. Lord engrace me to stand against whatever may be coming to steal the peace You have given me. Let me be an example unto my children of how to trust in You.
John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
7. Father I decree that all my journeys with my children shall be free from all forms of evil. Your seal of divine protection shall continue to rest upon my family
Psalm 121:7-8 NIV The LORD will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
8. Father engrace me to remain patient with my children even when they do things that displease me in this academic session. Help me to continue to see them as gifts from God.
Psalm 127:3 NIV Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.
9. Lord grant me an understanding heart to work with the school and the teachers towards the best interest of the school and its students
Ezekiel 36:26 KJV A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
10 Back-To-School Prayers for Teachers With Bible Verses
1. Lord engrace the teachers to be effective in their work and to teach the children in the way they will understand
Isaiah 41:15 ERV Look, I have made you like a new threshing board with many sharp teeth. You will trample mountains and crush them. You will make the hills like chaff.
2. Father give the teachers patience and an understanding heart to be able to keep up with the children to truly help them
Galatians 5:22 TPT But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit.
3. Lord release the Spirit of wisdom upon the teachers to be able to handle issues that come up in the class effectively
James 1:5 NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
4. Father heighten the creativity of the teachers to make the learning experiences of their children engaging and productive
Proverbs 8:12 KJV I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
5. Lord help the teachers to be worthy examples unto the children to instill good morals and Christian values in them
2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
6. Lord give the teachers sensitivity to notice cases of bullying, assault, or any vice that may want to creep in among students and help them act swiftly and intelligently in curtailing them
John 16:13 NIV But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
7. Father feel the lives and homes of the teachers with your peace and blessing so they can be settled and effective in carrying out their assignment
John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
8. Father let there be unity among the teachers and parents so they can work together for the best interest of the students
Psalm 133:1 KJV Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
9. Father put the love for the kids in the heart of the teachers so they can serve as parents to the students
Romans 5:5 NIV And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
10. Lord let the administrators of the schools implement policies that favor the teachers so they can give their best to their work
Psalm 112:5 KJV A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
9 Back-To-School Prayers For Students With Bible Verses
1. Father release the Spirit of wisdom and quick understanding upon the student thereby making the teaching and the learning experiences productive
Isaiah 11:2-3 KJV – And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD
2. Father let the students be taught of the Lord so they can continue to maintain Kingdom values as they go back to school
Isaiah 54:13 KJV And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord ; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
3. Father protect all the students from all forms of accidents and evil all through this academic session
Psalm 105:13-15 KJV When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; [14] He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; [15] Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
4. Father deliver and protect the students from wicked and unreasonable friends that may want to influence them into vices
2 Thessalonians 3:2 KJV And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
5. Father take away the spirit of fear from the heart of the students so they can face challenging school work with boldness and succeed
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
6. Father quicken the brains of the students and grant them supernatural intelligence for high academic performance
1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
7. Father grant the students retentive memory to recall all they have been taught by their teachers
Proverbs 10:7 KJV The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8. Father grant the student passion for their school work so they can give it their best and be successful at it
Haggai 1:14 KJV And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,
9. Father help the students to love and be kind to each other letting them live in harmony and be true witnesses of Christ
Romans 5:5 KJV And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 Back-To-School Prayers For The School With Bible Verses
1. Lord guide the school towards implementing only policies that will work for the students and align with the values of God’s Kingdom
Hebrews 10:16 KJV This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
2. Father empower the school to set up the school systems and structures to be supportive and effective for teachers and students
1 Timothy 2:2 KJV For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 Father let your hand of protection be upon the school and save it from attacks of the devil and evil men
Psalm 91:10 KJV. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
4. Father guide the leadership of the school in their decision-making processes leading to the continuous advancement of the school
Isaiah 48:17 NIV This is what the LORD says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
5. Father put the interest of the students in the heart of the school administrators to prioritize them above money-making
Philippians 2:13 KJV For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
6. Father continue to prosper the work and labor of the administrators and teachers of the school
Psalm 1:3 KJV And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
8 Back-To-School Prayers and Verses For My Son
1. Father release your Spirit of excellence upon my son to thrive and do well in school
Daniel 6:3 KJV Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
2. Father let my son shine as a light in his school and be an example to other children
1 Thessalonians 5:5 KJV Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
3. Father let Your love feel the heart of my son making him unconquerable, and attractive, and letting his life by message
Romans 5:5 KJV And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
4. Father give my son the courage to take his stand and be confident in his worth so as not to be a victim of bullies
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
5. Lord save my son from negative peer pressure that will impact his academic performance and overall life
2 Thessalonians 3:2 KJV And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith
6. Lord help my son trust in you and see your hand working in every area of his life thereby perfecting his peace
Isaiah 54:13 KJV And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord ; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
7. Father grant my son favour in the sight of his teachers and colleagues thereby giving him ease throughout this academic session
Psalm 5:12 KJV For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
8. Father help my son understand that I love him and care for him even when I do not do enough as a parent
Isaiah 11:3 KJV And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord : and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
8 Back-To-School Prayers and Verses For My Daughter
1. Father release your Spirit of excellence upon my daughter to thrive and do well in school
Daniel 6:3 KJV Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
2. Father let my daughter shine as a light in her school and be an example to other children
1 Thessalonians 5:5 KJV Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
3. Father let Your love feel the heart of my daughter making her unconquerable, attractive and letting his life by message
Romans 5:5 KJV And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
4. Father give my daughter the courage to take her stand and be confident in her worth so as not to be a victim of bullies
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
5. Lord save my daughter from negative peer pressure that will impact her academic performance and overall life
2 Thessalonians 3:2 KJV And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith
6. Lord help my daughter trust in you and see your hand working in every area of her life thereby perfecting her peace
Isaiah 54:13 KJV And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord ; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
7. Father grant my daughter favor in the sight of her teachers and colleagues thereby giving her ease throughout this academic session
Psalm 5:12 KJV For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
8. Father help my daughter understand that I love him and care for her even when I do not do enough as a parent
Isaiah 11:3 KJV And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord : and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Conclusion
These are some Back-To-School prayers for parents, teachers, schools, and students you can pray as schools resume sessions again. One thing is sure: if you invite God sincerely, He will show up.
Olusegun Iyejare is a career coach and certified counselor. He helps individuals discover and maximize their potential to live satisfying lives regardless of obvious limitations holding them back.
