A Prayer for a New School Year

Lord, a new school year begins — new shoes, new notebooks, new names to learn.

Bless the first-day nerves in the hallway and the first-day nerves at the teacher's desk, too.

Give our students curious minds and kind hearts. Give their teachers strength and joy in the work. Give us parents grace at the drop-off line — especially the ones wiping their eyes in the car.

Whatever this year holds, walk every hallway with them, Lord, from the first bell to the last.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this the night before the first day of school, backpacks lined up by the door — or in the car at drop-off, in those thirty seconds after they disappear through the school doors and before you drive away.

A Verse to Hold On To

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." — Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)