As parents, we’ve tried to make a priority of praying over our children from the day they were born to their first day of school and throughout all the major and minor milestones of their lives. We feel a holy responsibility as parents to guide, lead, and support them, and talking with God through prayer is a major part of that.

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to receive wisdom from God in how we lead our children, but also to release control back to God for their futures. As our children’s schedules shift from summer fun to back to school season, this is the perfect time to renew a habit of praying for them!

The most incredible part about prayer is that God listens to us. He hears us and He cares. 1 John 5:14 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

Sometimes it can feel like the words are missing as we begin to pray. Or we may feel unsure what’s most important to pray about.

In both the big and little fears (for us and our children, let’s be honest!) of back to school season, your concerns and hopes matter. Bring them to God in prayer this month, and we’ve also put together a few prayers to get you started in the meantime.

(Looking for more? Grab Powerful Prayers for Your Son and Powerful Prayers for Your Daughter)

Here are 10 prayers you can use as your kiddos return back to school:

1) Pray for Choosing the Right Friends

“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26

Lord God, give my child wisdom to choose the right friends, who will build them up and bring them closer to You. Set them free from the traps of popularity and pressure to conform. Protect them from anyone who would wound their spirit and discourage their faith. Provide them with friends who love You as their Savior. Thank You for being the best Friend they’ll ever know. Amen.

2) Pray They Are a Good Example for Others

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12

Lord, thank You that my child can know You, growing in faith and wisdom even as a child. Let them speak words of truth and love like Jesus. Give them an excellent reputation as they obey Your Word. Keep them faithful and pure as they face the challenges of growing up. Use their life as an example to everyone as they love You more and more. Amen.

3) Pray for a Teachable Heart

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” – Proverbs 12:15

Lord, my child has choices – to be wise or foolish, humble or proud, yielding or stubborn. Give them a teachable heart that welcomes advice. Help them to understand the limits of their experience and knowledge. Protect them from having to learn the hard way, by trying to figure out life on their own. Build up our relationship so my influence can help them along the way. Amen.

4) Pray They Speak Up for Others

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your justice that guards the rights of the weak and the poor. Give my child a courageous spirit to speak up for those who can’t defend themselves. Use them to relieve suffering and restore dignity. Fill them with mercy and compassion for all people. Like Jesus, may they love the unlovable and remember the forgotten. Bless them for standing for the truth. Amen.

5) Pray for Their Safety

“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.” – Psalm 121:7-8

Lord God, thank You for Your constant watch over my child. They are never out of Your reach, never out of Your sight, and never too far for You to bring them home. Continue to protect them with Your love and power. Surround them with angels and shield them from the evil one. Guide their steps and let them cling to You as their loving Father. Keep them under Your wing forever. Amen.

6) Pray They Resist Peer Pressure

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

Lord, there may be times when my child might be tempted to betray their conscience to fit in with the crowd. They could feel pressure to conform to the world’s definition of what’s fun, attractive, and true. Give my child the courage to live as a servant of Christ. Make it their heart’s desire to please You in everything, instead of trying to live up to people’s expectations. Set them free to live in joyful obedience to You. Amen.

7) Pray They Know Jesus’ Voice

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.” – John 10:27-28

Father, teach my child to recognize Your voice. Let them hear You when they pray and read Your Word. Even when the world tries to drown You out, let them respond to Your call and follow You every day. Help them to trust that You will never let them go. As they suffer through any kind of struggle or temptation, let them know they’re Yours as You hold them securely in Your hand. Amen.

8) Pray for Easing Anxiety

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” – Proverbs 12:25

Lord, my child can become paralyzed by stress and fear. They worry about friendships, grades, their safety, and the future. Doubts and insecurities steal their happiness. Let Your love and peace melt away their anxieties. Help them to trust You in every situation. Give them joy as they find You faithful. Give me encouraging words to build them up and put a smile on their face. Amen.

9) Pray for Respecting Authority

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20

Father, my child sometimes struggles to obey what I ask them to do. They can be disrespectful and resistant to my authority, keeping peace from our home. Help them to submit themselves to Your design for family by honoring me as their parent. Give them a cheerful, humble attitude so they can listen and cooperate. Give me wisdom, love, and patience as they learn obedience. I pray also that this respect would extend to their teachers as my child goes back to school. Let my child’s actions towards authority figures be pleasing to You. Amen.

10) Pray for an Inquisitive Mind

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” – Proverbs 23:12

Holy Lord, give my child an eager, inquisitive mind that loves to learn. Help them to value their education and commit to their studies. When the work is challenging, give them strength to finish well. Surround them with wise teachers who will encourage them along the way. Equip them to serve You with the skills and knowledge they receive. Guide their steps, fill their mind with truth, and reward them with wisdom and success. Amen.

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Whether your child is in public school, private school, or homeschooled, we know how much you can worry and stress about your child’s growth, learning, and safety. It would be a privilege to join you in praying for your son or daughter.

Reach out any time and know that we will take your prayer requests to God, together. We hope you have been encouraged and inspired to make prayer a regular part of your parenting. Prayer matters. We are so grateful to walk with you on this journey!

Looking for more? Take a look at our prayer books for sons and daughters: