Lord, we offer You this prayer for the first day of school.
The start of a new school year brings opportunity and a clean slate.
It also brings fear and anxiety.
May Your grace fill each hallway and enter every classroom.
Thank you for the leaders you have called to the schools.
Give them wisdom with the decisions they make to influence the next generation.
We lift up to you…
The bus drivers transporting the students.
The cafeteria workers providing sustenance for students.
The hall monitors making peace throughout the transitions of the day.
The guidance counselors seeking to walk along students.
The coaches journeying with players in wins and losses.
The teachers imparting curiosity, inspiration, and learning to their classes.
The administrators creating a safe and excellent environment for the school.
And we pray a blessing on the other volunteers and school-specific roles not mentioned.
Now, we consider the parents.
Give them wisdom to advocate for their child effectively and partner well with school leaders.
Bless their car rides to and from school events with remarkable conversations.
Calm their nerves for the problems they anticipate.
Move their worries to prayers to You.
Guide them to love, listen, and support their child as You have done for us.
From preschool to seniors in high school, we pray for our students.
May they realize that they are created in Your image and treat each classmate the same.
Provide them with the courage to seek help academically, socially, spiritually, and mentally.
Connect them to leaders who see their potential.
Form not only their learning but their character.
We commit this school year to You.
Shine Yout light in the midst of dark situations.
May the Good News of the Gospel saturate our schools in tangible and intangible ways.
Whether we are directly or indirectly involved in a school, we will pray.
Interrupt our thoughts when we pass a school to seek You.
Help us support and cheer on school leaders, parents, and students.
We pray this in the name of the Resurrection and Life.
Amen
Photo by Naassom Azevedo