20 Back to School Prayers for Your Kids

As parents like you, we’ve made it a priority to pray for our children from the day they were born through all the milestones of their lives. We feel a holy responsibility to guide, lead, and support our kids, and talking with God through prayer is a meaningful part of that as their mom and dad.

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to receive wisdom from God in how we raise our kids. But it is also how we release control back to God for their hopes, struggles, and their future. As our children’s schedules shift from summer fun to the new school year, this is the perfect time to renew a habit of prayer!

The most incredible part about prayer is that God listens. He hears us and He cares about every detail. 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 so overwhelmed by the number of needs our children carry that we’re unsure of what’s most important to take to God in prayer.

In both the big and little fears (for us and our children, let’s be honest!) of this back-to-school season, your concerns and hopes matter. As you bring them to God in prayer, we’re sharing these prayers to get you started.

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

Here is a list of 20 back-to-school prayers you can use today or even save to use throughout the year as your kiddos return 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.

11) Pray for Patience in Everything

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – James 1:19-20

Father, my child lashes out when they are angry, without considering how they might hurt other people. Teach them to listen and think before they respond to the frustrations that come their way. Give them patience to bear with others’ weaknesses. Humble their heart to gracefully receive correction. Set them free from the trap of a quick temper, so they can grow in Your righteousness. Amen.

12) Pray for Obedience & Instruction

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'” – Ephesians 6:1-3

O Lord, open the door to blessing for my child as they learn to obey. Give them a humble heart that can submit to my instructions and the instructions of their teachers. Make them teachable, avoiding pain and trouble by following directions. Give them an honoring attitude. Amen.

13) Pray for Their Self-Worth

“You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:13-14

Lord Jesus, thank You for creating my beautiful child. You planned every detail of their personality, their intellect, and their appearance. Give them faith to believe they are a wonderful, incredible work of God Himself. May they be convinced of their important place in this world – that they are destined by You, cherished by me, and loved through and through by their heavenly Father. Amen.

14) Pray They Are Diligent in All They Do

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24

Lord God, give my child the strength to accomplish all that is before them today. Fill them with courage when the work seems too difficult. Help them persevere to the end, leaning on You when they’re tired or discouraged. Capture their heart with a desire to serve You above anyone else. Let them receive Your wonderful rewards for their diligence and obedience today. Amen.

15) Pray for Spiritual Protection

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9

Lord God, guard my child from the enemy – he wants to make them suffer and destroy their lives. Give them discernment to detect his lies and schemes. Fill them with courage to resist him, believing Your Word, and trusting in Your love. May they flee temptation, live in Your truth, and stand firm in the faith without wavering. Surround them with believers so they don’t have to face the enemy alone. Amen.

16) Pray They Use Wisdom in Their Words

“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” – Proverbs 11:13

Lord, give my child wisdom with their words. Let their friends have confidence in their integrity and respect. Help them to resist temptation to share secrets and gossip. Give them discernment to recognize who they can trust with their personal life. Guard them from slander and gossip that can damage their reputation and ruin relationships. Bless them with an upright heart as You keep them secure in Your love. Amen.

17) Pray for Their Dreams and Vision

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4

Father God, my child is excited about where their future may lead. Careers, romance, adventure – they can’t wait to use their talents and explore the world. Fill them with eagerness to discover Your perfect will for their life. Let them pursue You with all their heart, finding their greatest joy in knowing Jesus. As they commit their way to You, satisfy their hopes and dreams out of Your great love. Thank You for all You have in store for them. Amen.

18) Pray They Listen Well

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” – Proverbs 1:8-9

Heavenly Father, protect my role of influence in my child’s life. Give me words of wisdom to teach them Your ways. Keep them willing and open to receive advice, correction, and help. Pour out rewards in their life as they listen to my counsel. Build trust between us so I can continue to walk by their side as they grow. Make me worthy of the leadership You’ve entrusted to me, and use me as a blessing in their life. Amen.

19) Pray They Work Hard

Father, you know the tasks my child needs to accomplish—homework, chores, practices, commitments—and their struggle to face the challenges. Give them the strength to tackle their work with a willing heart. Motivate them to do their best and to finish what they start. As they learn discipline, let them experience the reward for a job well done. May they seek to please You in all they do, seeking Your glory above their own. Amen.

20) Pray for Good Friends

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

Lord God, my child’s friends hold tremendous influence in their life. Give them wisdom to seek out those who will encourage them to follow You. Surround them with examples of integrity, self-control, and kindness. Protect them from those who reject Your Word and tempt them to sin. Keep them from compromising their values to fit in or to avoid feeling lonely. Let them hold on to You, their most faithful Friend of all. 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: