As your family juggles with back-to-school shopping for daily planners and kid-approved backpacks, new routines, after-school activities, new teachers, and more, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. One way to recenter is by praying. We’ve collected back-to-school prayers that you and your family can share and reflect on whenever you have time, whether that’s over the dinner table or while you’re driving everyone to school in the morning. These thoughtful prayers offer peace of mind and protection for everyone, including students and teachers.
These back-to-school prayers can be soothing for children or teens who may be experiencing anxiety about this next step in their journey. They’ll provide strength and love that your children can carry with them throughout the day. These prayers serve as blessings for the year ahead and can be a valuable way to keep your family’s faith strong. From short prayers to start the day on the right foot to nighttime prayers, there are sure to be a few prayers here that help your whole family feel centered and connected.
If your family isn’t in the habit of praying together, you can read these prayers aloud and ask your children what they think and if there’s anything they’d like to add to the prayers. This can be a useful way to find out what’s going on at school! You could also institute a daily time in your household for everyone to pray quietly or write in a devotional journal.
If you’re looking for further prayer inspiration, don’t miss our collections of prayers for healing, graduation prayers, and prayers for a friend.
1
A Student's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you’ve given us a brain. The ability to think and learn! This year, help us develop a thirst for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Ready our hearts to learn this year, at home, school, and church. Open our ears and eyes to see the things you do, O Lord. We pray our hearts crave knowledge and seek it out every day. Amen.
2
A Prayer to Feel God's Presence
God, you are my help and comfort; you shelter and surround me in love so tender that I may know your presence is with me, now and always. Amen.
3
A Prayer for Teachers
We thank you for our teachers! We pray you would strengthen teachers with your power this school year. Give them guidance on instruction, strength to complete all the tasks, and energy to joyfully interact with their students.
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4
A Prayer for Student Safety and Success
Dear Lord, As our students begin a new school year, I pray that you will keep them in your care. Send your Spirit to open their minds
to all that is true, and beautiful, and good. Help them to see the gifts and talents you have given them and to use them well. Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Help them to be kind to others, and lead others to be kind to them.
5
Prayer for Comfort
Father, for all the kids who are new to their schools, from kindergarteners to college freshmen, we pray that you will help them feel comforted and comfortable. We pray that their teachers/instructors help them feel seen, and supported, and safe, so they can thrive as learners.
RELATED: Helpful Prayers for Healing
6
A Prayer for Strength
Today, if sunshine turns to rain,
if a dark cloud brings some pain,
I won't doubt or hide in fear
for you, my God, are always near.
I will travel where you lead;
I will help my friends in need.
Where you send me, I will go;
With your help, I'll learn and grow.
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7
A Prayer to Ease Anxiety
I won't fret, and I won't worry.
Instead, I'll hurry to pray.
I'll turn my problems into petitions
and lift my hands in praise.
I'll say goodbye to all my fears,
His presence sets me free.
Although I may not understand,
I feel God's peace in me.
8
A Prayer for Wisdom
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you have committed to your holy church the care and nurture of your children. Enlighten with your wisdom those who teach and those who learn, that rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— A Book of Collects in Two Parts, John Wallace Suter and John Wallace Suter, Jr.
9
A Parent's Prayer for Their Children
God, it’s hard to let go of our kids and send them out into a world that is so unstable and so volatile. But you are bigger than all of our worries. You are bigger than our worst fears. Send your Holy Spirit to quicken in our hearts, as we seek you in your word and pray to you for comfort.
— Unknown
RELATED: Prayers of Protection for Your Family
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10
A Prayer for Learning
God, I thank you for the gift of knowledge! I praise you for providing us with brains to think and question the world around us. I pray you would help my child learn well and flourish. May they discover their unique talents and giftings. Give them a passion for the world around them. Amen.
11
A Child's Prayer for School
Father God, please be with me today in everything I will face. Help me to learn well at school. I pray that I will be a good friend to those around me today. Amen.
12
A Parent's Prayer for Courage
Father, give my children a heart of courage. When they are afraid, make yourself known to them, and remind them that you will never leave them nor forsake them. Help them be strong and courageous to do the good work you would have them do.
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13
A Parent's Prayer for a Teenager
Lord God, I pray for my teenage son or daughter to know your goodness and provision. I pray they would place their identity in you. I ask that in the pressures of life, they would know you are their rock on which they can stand. I pray that through the challenges of school life, exams, and future decisions, you would lead them, guide them, and bring them comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
14
A Prayer for God's Guidance
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by you,
always follow your plans,
and perfectly accomplish your holy will.
Grant that in all things, great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever you require of me.
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of your grace,
so that I may be your trustworthy instrument for your honor.
May your will be done in time and in eternity by me,in me, and through me. Amen.
15
A Mother's Prayer
Holy Mother Mary,
Who by virtue of your divine motherhood,
hast become mother of us all
I place the charge which God has given me,
under your loving protection.
Be a protecting mother to my children.
Guard their bodies and keep them
in health and strength.
Guard their minds and keep their thoughts ever holy
in the sight of their Creator and God.
Guard their hearts and keep them pure, and strong,
and happy in the love of God.
Guard always their souls and ever preserve in them,
faithfully, the glorious image of God.
— Unknown
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16
A Child's Prayer for God's Presence
Dear Jesus, you who promise to be with me always, I pray that you would be with me today, as I go to school. Bless my going and my coming. Bless my learning and my playing. Please protect my heart from fear. Please keep me safe. Please give me good friends. Give me joy on this day, and thank you for loving me from head to toe. In your name, Amen.
17
The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
18
A Prayer for the Day's Travels
Protect me, today, in all my travels along the road’s way.
Give your warning sign if danger is near so that I may stop while the path is clear.
Be at my window and direct me through when the vision blurs from out of the blue.
Carry me safely to my destined place like you carried Christ in your close embrace. Amen.
RELATED: Prayers for Summer Vacation
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19
A Prayer for Friendship Among Students
Lord Jesus, school can be a welcome place or a lonely experience for our students. Guide them as they seek to make new friends. Guard our students from those who bully or tease because of their own insecurities. As iron sharpens iron, may they choose friends wisely, always asking you to lead them and guide them in their relationships.
20
A Prayer for Good Study Habits
Lord, bless our students with the kind of study habits that help them do their best. Teach them how to manage their time and energy as good stewards of all you have given them. Show them how to develop their talents and to find the path you have set before them. Help them to be courageous and adventurous, to try new things, and learn new skills. Place our students in the kind of classroom atmosphere that will both challenge them and encourage them in their particular abilities.
Jamie Ballard
Contributing Writer
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
