Summer is wonderful, but we all know it is brief. Before we know it, parents will hit the stores for school uniforms, pencils, paper, and a million other things, courtesy of the foot-long supply list. And as we move closer to that first day, our children may naturally experience some anxiety about the upcoming school year. We parents likely will, too.
So while we’re gathering the necessary tools for a successful year, let’s also spiritually prepare our kids for the many situations they’re likely to face. Because when our kids are equipped with spiritual tools, they’re more confident He’s walking with them through challenges the school day is bound to hurl their way. And when our kids hide Scripture in their hearts, Psalm 119:11 says they’re also less likely to sin against Him.
I’ve included easy-to-remember verses that are perfect for memorization and/or jotting on sticky notes for quick access during the day. These will fortify the faith of our kids (and ours) while helping them make God-honoring choices this school year.
Here are 10 back-to-school Scriptures to share with your child as well as prayers to pray with your child:
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1. When Your Child Needs a Positive Outlook:
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we get so overwhelmed with the hard stuff we forget that every day we’re drawing breath is a gift from You. Even when our hearts are overwhelmed, help us to remember to rejoice and give You thanks. Please give us eyes to see Your divine plan in all of this, that we would be encouraged in the midst of the hard stuff. Please remind our forgetful hearts that You love us and have a good plan for us even on the bad days.
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2. When Your Child is Afraid
Fear not, for I am with you… Isaiah 43:5
Oh, Father, you are the Perfect Love That Casts Out Fear. Thank You for seeing our hearts and how fearful they are right now. We ask that You would make Yourself known to us in a mighty way, taking away fear and filling us with Your courageous Spirit. We know that You’ve not given us this spirit of fear—that the enemy of our souls is to blame. Help us to know You are walking with us today, emboldening us to do battle with spirits in dark places, and protecting us through it all. We love You and thank You for never leaving us.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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3. When Your Child Needs a Change in Friends
He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20
Father God, we thank You in advance for wisdom. Please help us to trust You, that you would bless us with the gift of discernment. We want to make wise choices. Won’t You show us the relationships that are healthy for us here on this very complicated and confused world? Please help us to make the hard decisions in our relationships—that we’d not be led astray. Guide us to those who will build us up and support us in our walk with You.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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4. When Your Child Struggles with Comparison
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. - Psalm 139:14
Lord God, forgive us for believing when the world tells us we’re not good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough…when we’re told our thighs are too thick, our hair too thin, our skin the wrong color…. Help us to find our worth in the pages of Your Word, not in the opinions of this world. Remind us that we are masterfully created by You, the Creator of all, and are priceless in the opinion of the One who truly matters.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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5. When Your Child Suffers from Anxiety:
Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7
Father, we come to You with troubled hearts today, asking that You’d lighten our load of care. Will you help us to turn it all over to you, knowing that only You can do the impossible? Thank You for shouldering our burdens. For loving us so much that You’d release us of our anxiety. Help us to trust You with the cares of our hearts.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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6. When Your Child Wants to Get Revenge for Wrongs:
The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. - Exodus 14:14
My God, You know the depth of anger these things have caused. Please help this anger we feel not take root in our hearts and breed bitterness and hate. Won’t You please take these feelings of outrage from us and replace them with the assurance that You will fight for us? Open our hearts to forgiveness while shutting our mouths—that we’d not sin against You and risk damaging our witness for You. Help us to trust You to do what only You can—take what they meant for evil and transform it into good.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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7. When Your Child Faces Peer Pressure:
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. - Proverbs 20:1
Loving Father, temptation is so strong these days. Despite the allure of the world, help us remain faithful to Your commands and heed Your warnings. We know You want what’s best for us. Thank You for always providing a way for us to flee from temptation. Thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit to walk with us, guiding us and strengthening us to resist that which is not Your will for our lives.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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8. When Your Child is Facing Failure:
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not. - Lamentations 3:22
Lord, help us to remember that we’re not perfect and are bound to fail ourselves, those around us, and You. Thank you for your compassion that never fails! We ask that you take away these guilty feelings. Won’t you help us to put our latest failure behind us and press on, knowing that You still love us? Please put within us a newfound strength to resist the lie from the enemy that perfection equals worth.
In Christ’s name we pray.
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9. When Trouble is Brewing:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1
Good Father, You know we’re facing trouble this day. And You know how very vulnerable we feel. We come to You, thanking You for offering to be our refuge—our shelter in this storm. Please strengthen our faith as we cling to You and Your promises, trusting that You are able to not only protect us through it all but deliver us safely on the other side. Please calm the storm within our hearts and minds and help us to trust You more than ever.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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10. When Your Child’s Confidence Takes a Nosedive:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13
Lord, help us with the discouragement we feel lately. We’ve forgotten that trying to do everything in our own power never works out right. We forgot how much You want to be involved in every little aspect in our lives because You want to help us--because that’s just how much You love us. Help us to remember to lean into You and depend on You more. Thank you for reminding us that our confidence is to be in You, for apart from You we can do nothing.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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Originally published Wednesday, 28 June 2017.
