5 Ways to Pray for the School Year

The new school year has officially kicked off here in Cherokee County. The roads are busier, the mornings are a little more hectic, and the drive-thru line for the sacred chicken biscuit is a little longer (but somehow still moving faster than I-575).

Whether or not you’re a parent, it can be easy to get lost in the hustle. That’s why it’s all the more important to pause and pray for our students and teachers — today and throughout the year.

Wherever you’re reading this, join me in praying for the school year ahead in these 5 ways:

Start by thanking God for the children in your life, even if they’re not your own kids. Ask God for His provision and protection over their lives - not just to survive school assignments and growing pains, but to be scooped up by their Heavenly Father, held close, and then sent out to bring the good news of Jesus to the darkness in their school.

Next, pray for the children you don’t know - the ones down your street, or on that bus that you got stuck behind this morning. Ask God to reveal Himself to them today in a special way. Who knows — maybe He’ll use that child you prayed for a moment ago.

Reflection passages: Philippians 2:13-16, Luke 18:15-17

Let’s also start by thanking God for all the hard-working teachers and staff in our area. Pray that professing Christian educators would keep their eyes fixed on Jesus this year and boldly represent Christ as his ambassadors. Pray for them to stand firm despite all the current pressures on educators. Include our own children and students leaders. And for the teachers who don’t know Him, pray that they would have a personal encounter with Jesus - even today.

Reflection passages: 2 Corinthians 5:14-22, 1 Peter 2:13-17

First, if you are a parent - just know we are praying for you. Now is a great time to reflect on the goodness of our Heavenly Father, who delights in the child-like faith of His sons and daughters. He sees you - you are not forgotten. Pray that you would be made into His image more and more, to be equipped to raise your children on the firm foundation of Jesus.

Now, pray for the parents you know. That the Lord would help them stand firm and diligently steward their children’s lives. That the Lord would equip them as chief disciple-makers in their household. That our church would surround them and walk alongside them so they’re not alone.

Reflection passages: Psalm 127, Ephesians 6:4, Matthew 6:25-34

There are a few ways we ask God for protection:

First, pray for protection from physical harm — against violence, bullying, shootings, sexual abuse, substance abuse, disease, traffic accidents, and other dangers students and teachers will face.

Next, pray for protection from emotional and mental harm — against the doubts, lies, confusion, insecurity, abuses, and other unseen assaults the enemy uses to unravel our children's minds.

Now, pray for protection from spiritual harm — against the devil who prowls around looking to devour — against the lies and false teachings that are around every corner — and against apathy and temptation.

Reflection passages: John 17:11-19, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Peter 5:6-11

Finally, pray that God opens the door to opportunities to share the gospel — that He would stir up revival and mobilize His church — that He would send faithful young believers as lights in the darkness so that our schools would be illuminated by the saving grace of Jesus. He promises where two or three are gathered in His name, there He is among them. God will use the small, feeble prayer of a couple faithful followers. Will you continue to boldly pray for the school year ahead?

Reflection passages: Colossians 4:2-6, Ephesians 6:18-20, Matthew 28:18-20