Two Weeks of Prayer for the Start of School
(Thanks to Lauren Gaines for writing them, and Ava Martin for offering them to us to share. Image from Romper)
Read aloud together one each morning before school. Children
can read one aloud for the family too!
Guide
Praying God’s word is not complicated. In this guide, I share with
you personalized prayers, but you can do this with any scripture
you read. After you read 2 to 3 verses, pray the words that stick
out to you. Declare the promises over your family.
Here is an
example of how to pray the psalms:
Read Psalm 121:3-4: He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Pray: Thank you, heavenly Father, that you never sleep nor
slumber. You are always watching over my family and me. I
praise you because you are watching over me even when I sleep.
I do not have to be afraid because you will not allow my foot to
move. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.
Speak the words that the Spirit leads you to pray. God’s word is
so powerful, and when we speak it out loud, something shifts in
the atmosphere. Now for the two weeks of prayer.
1
Scripture: But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them
ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those
who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 NIV
Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you today for your protection.
We rejoice because you spread your divine hand over us. Lord,
we ask you to watch over our coming and going this school year.
In your Word, you said you’d rescue us from every trap (Psalm 91
verse 3). We declare that promise over our house and over our
selves today. No evil will touch us. As we come and go this school
year, bring us all home safely each day. Amen.
2
Scripture: As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Prayer: Jesus, we thank you for friends! Thank you that you
created us to be in a relationship with you and with each other.
God, I pray we form kind, uplifting relationships this school year.
Friendships that build each other up and sharpen one another.
God, I pray we will be wise when choosing friends. Give us
discernment to find true friends. Friends who will speak life to us.
Give us the ability to say no when necessary and the bravery to
stand up for what is right. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
3
Scripture: Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears
are open for knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 NLT
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. May we hunger
and chase after wisdom. Give us a deep desire to learn. 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
4
Scripture: Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for
me to follow. Psalms 25:4 NLT
Prayer: Heavenly Father, show us the right path this school year.
May we not be influenced by the unwise, but seek Your higher
purposes in all things. Guide our choices. Order our steps and
make our paths straight. Show us the right path as a family. Lord,
we pray for wisdom from above. Show us where to spend our
time and energy this year. Guide us in everything we do and may
we have open ears to hear your voice. In Jesus’ mighty name we
pray. Amen.
5
Scripture: Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will
be wise the rest of your life. Proverbs 19:20 NLT
Prayer: Dear Jesus, give us hearts to accept instruction. Give us
the desire to learn from the wise and to accept correction. Soften
our hearts so we can gain knowledge from our teachers (and
parents). Teach us as parents how to instill respect and
compassion in our children. May we learn to honor and love
everyone we come in contact with throughout the day. Amen.
6
Scripture: I have told you these things so that you will be filled
with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11 NLT
Prayer: We rejoice in your name today. Thank you Jesus for
setting us free and for dancing over us at all times. Lord draw us
to you today! As we rejoice in your love, fill us with unspeakable
joy. Overflowing JOY! As we moves throughout our day, may we
find little things to rejoice in. May we delight in learning! Keep our
minds focused on excellent, praiseworthy things. Thank you,
Jesus!
7
Scripture: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your lovingkindness
toward us. God clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience this year. May they stand up against the
bullies, speaking with love to each other at all times. Guide us to
encourage kindness and patience. As we plant these seeds, Lord
make them grow!
8
Scripture: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen
you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians
3:16 NIV
Prayer: 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. God give our
teachers efficiency as they work. May they find times of rest and if
they do not know you, make yourself known to them this school
year.
9
Scripture: But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the
purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalms 33:11 NIV
Prayer: Thank you Jesus that your plans stand firm forever! God,
we pray you would reveal your wonderful purposes to us. Show
us and our teachers the gifts and talents you have placed inside
us. Fill us with joy as we search these gifts out. Reveal to us the
great things you have planned for our lives. Point us toward the
road you ordained for us. We thank you for your greater
purposes. In Jesus’Name, we pray. Amen.
10
Scripture: Common sense and success belong to me. Insight
and strength are mine. Proverbs 8:14 NLT
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your promises and your
faithfulness. Today we claim your promise that common sense
and success belong to us. Thank you that we are filled with
wisdom and understanding. Throughout the day give us insight
beyond our years. In any situation we face, may we use sound
judgment. We thank you that you have given us a sound mind! In
Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
11
Scripture: ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord
smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his
favor and give you his peace.’ Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
Prayer: Lord we thank you that you are the God of peace. We
thank you that even when the earth is trembling we can be still
and know you are God. Nothing can separate us from You. We
know the school year can be a stressful time for us, but we praise
you for giving us peace even in the midst of the storm. As we sit
in your presence and focus our hearts and minds on you, rain
down your perfect peace on our family. We trust that no matter
what, you will guide us, protect us, and be gracious toward us.
Amen
12
Scripture: Being confident of this, that he who began a good
work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ
Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NIV
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are always
right beside us. We praise you because we can rest knowing you
never leave us! Remind us today how you hold our hands. Give
us strength and endurance to run the good race of faith. Your
word says you will carry on the good work you started until the
day of Christ Jesus. Continue touching our hearts. Remind us of
your steadfast love. Hold us up on your wings to keep fighting the
good fight. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
13
Scripture: Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and
there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring
the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that
are not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, And I will do all
My pleasure,” Isaiah 46:9-10 NKJV
Prayer: Lord, we praise you, you are the alpha and the omega,
the beginning and the end. Give us your might and strength.
Make yourself real in our hearts. Your purposes will be
accomplished no matter what. Reveal to us your heart. Amen.
14
Scripture: Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be
discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help
you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
NLT
Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you are holding us up right now in
your victorious hand. Lord help us live victorious lives. May our
hearts not be discouraged by any setbacks this year. For we
know Our God has overcome every sickness and disease. We
claim the abundant life you promise for our families. May we
experience your mighty power this year. In Jesus’ Name, we pray.
Amen.
