Table of Contents
- Why This Moment Is Spiritually Significant
- A Sacred Transition for Both Mom and Child
- Preparing Your Own Heart as a Mom
- Mother’s Prayers for the First Day of School
- For the First Day of Preschool or Kindergarten
- For the First Day of Middle & High School Transitions
- For the First Day at a New School or Environment
- For the First Day of Senior Year
- For the First Day of Homeschool
- For My Special Needs or Neurodiverse Child
- For Friendships & Kindness
- For Wisdom, Focus & Learning
- For Safety & Protection
- Prayers for a Mother’s Own Heart
- Bible Verses to Speak Over Your Child
- FAQs: Mother’s Prayers for First Day of School
If you are reading this, then it is most likely the first day of school for your child or quickly approaching a new school year. You might be feeling so many emotions right now from relief, anxiety, excitement, dread or anything else in between. Whatever your emotions are as this new school year begins, bringing it all to the feet of Jesus is a great place to start. Whether you are a first time kindergarten mom, a homeschooling mom or a seasoned high school mom, there is a prayer here for you. Continue reading for a list of Powerful Mother’s Prayers for the First Day of School.
*At the bottom of the post, I included a discount code for these adorable First Day of School Pennant Flags.
*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. This comes at no cost to you, but is paid by the company. I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly. If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product.
*Alisa(The Pastor Mom) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Why This Moment Is Spiritually Significant
Going back-to-school each school year marks the beginning of a chapter for you and your children. As a parent myself, I always have beautiful hopes and desires for my children each year, but I always want to ground everything about the school year in prayer.
Author, Mark Batterson, wrote a book called Praying Circles around Your Children, and in his book he says this:
Just as one decision can change your destiny, so can one prayer. If you were to map out your spiritual history, you would find countless answers to prayer at key intersections along the way. Before you were even born, even named, many of you had parents and grandparents who prayed for you…I believe that every blessing, every breakthrough, every miracle traces back to the prayers that were prayed by you or for you. 1
Praying for your children’s year of learning and their lives daily can so beautifully impact their destiny, and if you, as their mother, are not praying for them, then who is?
Praying Circles Around Your Child
A Sacred Transition for Both Mom and Child
The start of the school year could be just another day on the calendar if you let it, or it could be a day filled with God molding and shaping both a mom and her child(ren). Mother’s Prayers for the First Day of School is a sacred tradition that all moms should partake in.
By turning to prayer for the start of school, you can trust that God will guide you as your shepherd your children and trust that God will protect your sweet children in the little things and the big things.
The Power of a Mother’s Voice in Prayer
I do want to take a moment before we get to these prayers to remind you that thousands of mothers before you have prayed over their children, and one that we can read about in God’s Word is Hannah.
In 1 Samuel 2, you can read about Hannah praying for her child before she even conceived him, and her prayers brought her son, Samuel. Samuel grew up to be a mighty Prophet for God, and his legacy began and was shaped by a mother who prayed.
You do not need to have the right words to pray because there are no “perfect” prayers. A mother’s prayer for the first day of school or anytime of the year, no matter the words, is powerful and beautiful.
I want to encourage you to “make sure the heavenly Father hears about your kids daily!” 2
I want to encourage you to “make sure the heavenly Father hears about your kids daily!” 3
Related Content: Parents Prayer for Children: Why and How to Pray for Your Children
Preparing Your Own Heart as a Mom
As the first day of school approaches, it is a good idea to prepare your own heart. This school year will bring trials of some kind, but we can be encouraged by reading the Bible when Jesus Christ says:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Below you can continue reading on how to prepare you heart for a Mother’s Prayers for the First Day of School.
Related Content: Best Bible Study Tips for Busy Moms
Praying Through the Emotions of Letting Go
For you, it could be the first day of Kindergarten or you have a high school senior. Both of those age brackets and really every school season can bring out a resistance of letting go.
I personally struggle with this each year. I do not like letting my babies go on to the next year because that means they are one step closer to being out of my arms.
It is bittersweet and challenging, but with prayer, I find I can navigate it with a calmness that can only be found in God.
I often need to write out my prayers to God in a journal whenever I am facing the emotions of letting go, and then I pray out loud the prayer that I wrote.
I also keep Philippians 4:6-7 in mind at all times as I am walking through any form of anxiety, especially anxiety relating to my children. It says:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Breath Prayers When Words Don’t Come
Another way that helps me prepare my heart for the first day of school is through short, breath prayers especially when my words won’t come.
In a breath prayer, you typically breath in and as you exhale, you say out loud a short prayers.
- “Jesus, hold my child when I can’t.”
- “Peace of Christ, fill my heart.”
- “Lord, strengthen my child today.”
- “God, guide my child’s steps this day.”
Mother’s Prayers for the First Day of School
Unless you are a homeschool mom (and I have a prayer for you too), you have probably by now gathered all of the school supplies, met the new teacher, and packed the backpack.
So now it is time to pray a Mother’s prayer for the first day of school. I encourage you to scroll down and find one that fits your situation or resonates with you, and feel free to change the words to fit your children.
For the First Day of Preschool or Kindergarten
Dear God,
Thank you so much for my child who is a precious gift. I pray that you would be giving my child peace in being separated from me. I ask that you would give them a gentle transition, an ease of finding new friends, and joy in learning new things. Be with my own heart as I drop them off. Help me to trust them into your hands and with the school staff.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
For the First Day of Middle & High School Transitions
Dear Lord,
I bring my child to you right now, and I thank you for the person you have created them to be. I pray as they make this transition into the next grade that you would help them remember who they are in You. God, I ask that the Holy Spirit would guide them to make wise choices and strengthen them against peer pressure. I pray that you would bring the right friends into their lives who are a positive influence, and I pray that you would give them a deep desire to learn and grow.
In Your Name,
Amen
For the First Day at a New School or Environment
Heavenly Father,
I thank you so much for giving my child a new start this year. As they experience new things and new challenges, I pray that you would give them peace in the uncertainty and newness. God, I ask that you would help them make new connections with school staff and friends, that they would excel in this new teaching environment and school work, and that they would rely on you to meet all of their needs. Lord Jesus, I pray that you would continue to mold and shape my child into a person after Your heart.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
For the First Day of Senior Year
Oh Lord,
Thank you so much for bringing us to this point, and thank you for the sweet beautiful ways you are growing and maturing my child. God, I pray that as she enters her last year of High School, I pray that you would be shaping their hearts, leading their lives and opening doors to walk Your will. Heavenly Father, I pray over the anxiousness I feel about them leaving my home, and I ask that You would help me trust You alone with the life and future of my not so little baby.
In Your Name,
Amen
For the First Day of Homeschool
Oh God,
I thank you for this year of homeschooling. A year where I personally get to pour into my children and be the major shaping force in their lives. I do not take this opportunity lightly. God, I pray over our home. That it would be a place of joy, refuge and blessings. A place where my children flourish as they learn. I pray that you would give my child a joy for learning and a willingness to be taught by me each day. I ask that you would give me patience, flexibility, calmness and gentleness even when things are not going as planned. And above all, I pray that you would help me reflect you to my children in my words and actions each day.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
*As a hybrid homeschooling mom, I personally wrote this prayer for myself and any other homeschooling moms that find this. Hugs!
For My Special Needs or Neurodiverse Child
Heavenly Father,
I thank you for my sweet child and the ways that you have blessed and grown me through his life. I ask that this school year would be one marked by acceptance and support. I pray that the children in his class would have an open heart to love him and be friends with him. I ask that the school administrators would be the perfect support system for my child and family this year. And I ask that you would give my child and I the strength, peace and clarity to navigate the little things and the challenging things and that we would be able to celebrate the victories and growth. Open the right doors for my child to flourish.
In Your Name,
Amen
For Friendships & Kindness
God,
My deepest desire is that my child knows You and lives her life for You. I ask that my sweet girl would be a reflection of You to all she comes across, that she would be a trusted friend and that she would be kind to everyone regardless of how she is treated. Lord, I ask that you would continue to grow in her a heart of compassion, understanding and gentleness with herself and with others. I thank you for her life and the ways you are growing her heart.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
For Wisdom, Focus & Learning
Oh Lord,
I come to you at the start of school, and I ask that this school year would be filled with a joy for discovery and for learning. I pray that they would love their course work and also have a desire to learn things outside of school. I ask that you would give them the gift of memory retention when facing any projects or tests this year. God, I ask that You would grow diligence in them so they can always do good work for school. I pray that You would grow my child in wisdom to know right from wrong and would give them a deep desire to choose You. I ask that they would be able to focus on their studies instead of focusing on the shiny things of this generation. And above all, that they would honor You in all they do.
In Your Name,
Amen
For Safety & Protection
God,
You know my anxiety in this area, and I pray that you would first and foremost give me peace that my child’s learning environment is the safest option for them this year. I ask that you would surround my child and their school in a hedge of protection from any evil that tries to enter it. I ask for sharpness for the school security and school administrators to sense if there is anything amiss, and I pray for wisdom to walk through every situation that could jeopardize a child. God, I trust that you have my child in your hands, and I thank you for his safety and protection.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
For Teachers, Staff & School Leaders
God,
Thank you so much for the teachers, staff and school administrators you have put into our life. I pray that you would give them patience, strength and wisdom as they interact with parents and students this school year. I pray that you would give them a drive to shape, educate and help the children and that they would feel loved and appreciated for the hard work they do. Father, I ask that you would place it on my heart whenever I need to show love or appreciation to any of these individuals, and most importantly, I pray that you would protect them and draw them closer to you this year.
In Your Name,
Amen
Prayers for a Mother’s Own Heart
If you are homeschooling or sending your child to school, praying for your own heart and mind will help you continue to point your family to Christ and keep you close to the source of your strength which is God.
When You Feel Guilt or Pressure
Oh Lord,
I am feeling the pressures of the grind and the guilt of not being able to fit it all in. Lord, I pray that You would help me remember that You are not the author of guilt, and I pray that I would daily remember that You are my Shepherd who leads me by still waters in the mist of life. God, help me release the guilt, comfort my soul and help me find rest. Please help me to eliminate anything that is no longer serving my family or is distracting my family from you…even if they are good things. Give me clarity to prioritize and organize the things that need to remain on our schedule. Thank you that you are a steadfast and faithful God.
In Your Name,
Amen
Related Content: 25 Bible Verses about the faithfulness of God
For Working Moms or Single Moms
Heavenly Father,
As my family and I embark on a new school year, I thank you for the opportunity to support my family through the job You have given me. It is sometimes difficult to not have endless time with my kids, but I am so grateful that they have a place to go for learning and friendships. I pray that You would help me be present and focused during the times I am able to be with my family. Help me to keep you at the center of my thoughts and to be organized and efficient in my professional and personal life.
In Your Name,
Amen
For Renewed Purpose in This Season
Oh Lord,
Thank you for another school year where my child will learn from their teacher and from me. I pray that you would renew and refresh my heart and mind to focus on the goal of pointing my children to You in everything. Please give me eyes to see the opportunities to shape their character and to submit my agenda to be Your agenda. Give me the strength each day to let them see You through me in my words and actions. God, when I don’t have the answers or the words, help me to remember to pause and turn to You for what to say or not say. When my patience is running thin, give me wisdom to take a break so I don’t say or do something that I regret. And Lord, as the exhaustion comes, help me to slow down and rest in Your presents. You are mighty!
In Your Name,
Amen
Bible Verses to Speak Over Your Child
Praying scripture over your child is another great way for you to pray for them on the first day of school.
Here are a few Bible verses you could pray over your child, but there are so many beautiful ones that you could choose for this special day.
- Isaiah 41:10 – Strength and courage
- Psalm 91:11 – Angelic protection
- Deuteronomy 31:6 – God’s constant presence
- Proverbs 3:5–6 – Trust in uncertain moments
FAQs: Mother’s Prayers for First Day of School
What if I don’t know what to say?
Please do not worry about saying “perfect” words to God. He hears your mama heart, not the perfect words. If you are really struggling, try the breath prayers or praying Scripture over your child.
Can I pray with my child before school?
Absolutely. Please do. I think this would be a wonderful tradition to start with your child that I read about in this book (which I highly recommend for all parents to read). I would recommend keeping it short and simple like the following:
God, thank you for today. Please be in our thoughts, words and actions today. Help us to reflect You in all we do, and guide us to do Your will. In Your Name, Amen.
How can I keep prayer going through the school year?
Praying is a spiritual habit that needs to be formed just like any other habit, and it is one that pays off exponentially…I promise. Take a look at this blog post about Bible study habits and apply it to prayer. I will write a post soon for keeping prayer going through the school year.
Thank your for reading my post about a Mother’s Prayers for the First Day of School. I hope you found a prayer that suits your needs for the school year ahead, and I look forward to sharing other helpful ways for you to keep Christ at the center of your life and family.
*If you loved the First Day of School flags featured in this post, head here to my Etsy shop and use code PASTORMOMBLOG10 for 10% off your order.
If you liked this blog post, check out these other related posts:
Best Bible Study Tips for a Busy Mom
22 Characteristics of a Good Mother in the Bible
SOAP Bible Study Method for Kids and Parents
