Back to School Blessings

The 2020 school year, for many, felt like climbing Mount Everest. We pushed through each day, cheered each other on, wiped away tears of frustration, thanked our teachers for their willingness to learn new ways of teaching and keeping students motivated. As we are preparing for school to start this coming week, many parents, teachers, and students are remembering the unfamiliar intensity of the last school year. Many have a renewed abundance of thanksgiving for this year's fresh start, but remain trepidatious of what this school year may yet bring.

Below are a few prayers that may help with some of the things that parents, kids, teachers and school staff may be feeling heading into this coming week, and we invite you to join us for our annual Back to School Blessing this Sunday, August 22nd at 9:30 and 11 am. Students of all ages, teachers, and school staff are invited to bring their backpacks, briefcases, bags, or devices for a special blessing and tag to put on your bag/case/backpack.

Prayer for protection:

Protect all those who are headed to school, oh Lord. “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” (Psalm 139:5) Let them know they are protected and the Lord is with them always.

Prayer for anxiety:

Good and gracious God,

For all returning to learning, send your Holy Spirit as their guide and protector.

Keep them free from danger, sickness and unnecessary harm. Put all that are returning to school in the right place, at the right time, to receive your grace.

Let them learn and grow strong, may the presence of your Spirit fill their hearts, and may "the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phillippians 4:6)

-Amen

Back to School Prayer - Courtney De Feo

Back to School Prayer for Children

Dear Lord, use my eyes to see new friends.

Open my ears to hear my teacher.

Open my mind to learn new things.

Let my heart remember when I'm afraid.

Help me to love others like you do.

I want to shine your light so bright in my school.

-Courtney De Feo

For more Back to School resources, like prayers, lunchbox notes, downloadable schedules and other helpful content, visit our Backpack Blessing page.

See you at church on Sunday!