13 Powerful Back to School Verses to Pray Over Your Kids

Back to school season is a time of excitement and worry for both parents and kids. During the summer, we have our kids close to us – for us to look over and protect from the tactics of the enemy. But once school begins, many kids head off to the schoolhouse where they are away from us for a significant period of each day. How do we prepare them for handling the world without us right there by their side?

Here is a list of 13 back to school verses to pray over your child as they embark upon this new school year.

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Back to School Bible Verses For Students

My daughter is heading into her Junior year of high school and I’m filled with both excitement and worry. I’m excited about the new things she’ll be learning with the more advanced course options and getting ready for college. Excited to see her continue to bloom into such an amazing young woman.

But with the excitement also comes worry. In past years, we always worried about things like school shootings, drugs, bullying, and cyberbullying, and so much more!

But this year ads a new level of anxiety because of the current world situation. Like most parents around the country, I have to decide on whether to send her off to school or to keep her home and continue with virtual learning.

I think most moms can relate to these feelings. So what do we do?

We pray! And we rest in knowing that we’ve well-prepared them for fighting the enemy – regardless of what form he comes in. No matter if you are sending your kids off to school or keeping them home, these scriptures for back to school cover most of the areas of struggle our kids will face as they head back to school. By praying these back to school verses over our kids – and speaking these verses to them – they’ll know they have the full armor of God with them throughout each day.

Back to School Prayer for Students

Father, I pray for each and every child of every age that will be heading away from home to attend school this year. I pray that you cover them in your full armor so they may repel the enemy’s tactics. I pray for their health and safety and that school administrators are able to prepare a healthy and safe environment for them to learn in.

I pray that each child is able to put aside their fear and worry so they may fully enjoy the resources in learning that they’ll be provided. I pray for the parents who may be home worrying. I pray they trust that you will be watching and protecting their children during this time away from home. And I pray that you will destroy any tactic the enemy wishing to use to do harm or cause temptation to these young, innocent souls.

And I pray that each day, each and every child will come home, safe and full of joy, ready to share in the excitement of everything they learned. Amen.

 

Scripture to Pray for Joy and Passion

A school is a place of learning and learning should be fun! Many kids find joy at school because their home lives aren’t the best. Others find the passion for learning different things – the passion that will drive them into later careers. I pray each child finds some form of joy as they come to school each day. And that they become passionate about something. It could be science, art, music, math, reading – anything. I just pray that each child is provided an environment that promotes and fosters a joyful and passionate outlook for each student.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 NIV

 

Bible Verses to Pray for Wisdom

Kids today are faced with so much temptation and negative influence. They are susceptible to being led astray by the enemy. Here are 3 back to school Bible verses to pray for each child to have the wisdom to discern the enemy’s tactics. The wisdom to speak life instead of gossip. The wisdom to know and choose right over wrong. And the wisdom to realize and utilize the wonderful gifts God has given each one of them.

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.” James 1:5 NIV

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 NIV

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 NIV

Bible Verses for Compassion and Love

While some kids come from happy homes, many do not. While some kids are taught how to love, others are not. I pray that each child finds compassion for their fellow classmates in every situation. Compassion for the child who appears hungry and without lunch. Compassion for the child who comes to school dirty and unprepared. Compassion for the child who only knows gossip or hurtful words because they were never taught how to love.

Pray these verses of Scripture over your child as they head back to school so they may show compassion and love as a reflection of Christ.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christi God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 NIV

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV

 

Back to School Prayers for Courage and Strength

Going back to school can be tough for many kids. As kids transition from elementary to middle school, and worse – from middle to high school, they often are filled with anxiety about not fitting in or not being able to make the grade.

Kids can be easily intimidated to tackle new things. Whether it be starting a brand new school and walking into a building where they don’t know anyone or maybe just fear of the next grade level and harder course. And for those who are now learning in the online environment, they might have new fears on whether they can actually do it.

Here are some Scriptures prayers for children so they will be brave to tackle anything that comes their way because they’ll know that God is with them through it all.  Pray that they know their strength comes from Him and He won’t fail them.

• I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV
• Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with your wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
• Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18 
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
• When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 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.” John 14:27 NIV

Back to School Verse for Self-Esteem

As kids head off to begin a new school year, many of them struggle with self-esteem and self-worth. This is especially true for kids going through puberty and all the changes that come with that. This is the perfect back to school Bible verse to pray over them to help them understand that their value and worth comes from Jesus and no one else. That they don’t try to be someone they aren’t and are can be comfortable in the skin that He gave them because He makes no mistakes!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV

 

Scripture to Pray in Response to Bullying

Unfortunately, bullying is something most kids will face as they head back to school – even for those who do school from home.

This bible verse can be prayed over them – that they know how to put on the Armor of God so they won’t take personal things that are said or done. Pray they realize that bullying isn’t about them – but more often a lack of self-worth from those who are doing the bullying. Instead of lashing out, I pray they’ll pray for the person inflicting emotional harm on them.

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28 NIV

 

Back to School Bible Verses to Pray for Protection

Unfortunately, we live in a world where the enemy is always around every corner. This may come in the form of a bully as well as the more recent threads of active shooters and other violent threats.

And this year, the enemy has taken on a new form that threatens their health.

These back to school bible verses can be prayed over your children to help keep them safe as they tackle the new school year.

I pray that each child is surrounded by the full armor of God and he or she walks through the doors of school each day. That they are able to avoid danger in any form and that each day, they come home safe and sound.

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 NIV

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 NIV

 

The school year brings so many emotions for both parents and children. I hope you keep these back to school Bible verses handy as the new school year approaches. Use them to pray over your children. Speak them to your children so they can keep them in their spiritual arsenal.

While we can’t be there by their side protecting them at all times, we must allow them to spread their wings a bit – knowing that we’ve prepared them. And knowing that by releasing them over to Him during the day that He will be right beside them.

Be sure to also read:

• The Importance of Raising a Godly Generation
• Making Family Time a Priority During Back to School Season
• A Special Needs Mom’s Prayer for Your Child at School

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