Words of Faith: 5 ways to pray for your kids this school year

Whether you homeschool, go to private school, or public school, the new school year has begun. The days of sleeping late and enjoying the lazy summer afternoons are now memories.

Each new school year will bring challenges and blessings. Some of the challenges that can be expected will center on academics, relationships, and schedules. Some of the blessings that will likely be experienced will center around … you guessed it …academics, relationships and schedules. So how can we as parents use this time in our kids’ lives to pray for them?

Here are a few ways we can pray for our kids in the new school year:

▪ First, pray that your children will take academics seriously. Their futures are being formed right now. Most kids don’t understand how important that is. It’s difficult for them to recognize how their grades today will impact them in only a few short years from now. Now is the time to develop good study habits and sound discipline so they can get the most out of their classes.

▪ Second, pray that your children will have a growing awareness of how God wants to use them as they grow and mature. They are being prepared to serve the Lord full-time in whatever line of work He calls them to. School is a very important part of that preparation.

▪ Third, pray that your children would have an open eye and heart for the needs of those around them. The Bible puts it this way in Philippians 2:4-5: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” School can be a great training ground for putting others first by serving them in Jesus’ name.

▪ Fourth, pray that your children will look out for the lonely students. Our area is growing so rapidly and new students are entering area schools constantly. Cliques can be very intimidating for new students. Encourage your children to befriend the students who are left out of the crowd. Your child may be an answer to prayer.

▪ Fifth, pray that your children will openly share his or her faith. School is a mission field. Schedules, whether for sports or music lessons, are open doors to share the gospel. You don’t have to travel the globe to find someone to talk with about Jesus. Our children have a golden opportunity to shine the light and love of Jesus Christ to students, teachers, and administrators.

God is at work in all our activities, classes, and relationships. Let’s pray for a school year that will glorify God by putting Him, and others, first.

This story was originally published September 2, 2016 at 4:26 PM with the headline "Words of Faith: 5 ways to pray for your kids this school year."