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Where did summer go? How is it August already? If you are a parent or a kid, you’ve probably been asking yourself these questions the last few days. One thing is for sure – as quick as one school year ends, another one is just around the corner.

We spend so much time and money preparing for the new school year:

New backpack. Check.
Lunchbox. Check.
School supplies. Check.
Clothes. Check.
Praying for the school year. Crickets.

If you’re like me, and a good majority of this busy world, extra prayers don’t always make the cut. There are A LOT of things to do. You may work in a school prayer here and there, or say a prayer on the first day of school. But what if we took some of our back to school energy and put that toward really praying for our kids, their school year, their teachers, and friends? I imagine it would do wonders, but sadly I can’t say for sure because I have never stuck to this plan. I have had good intentions but other things get in the way.
Despite my lack of focus when it comes to back to school prayers, we do have a school year routine that works well for our family. Each morning the kids and I read a devotional and say a prayer in the car on the way to school. They do the reading while I do the driving. Then we say a prayer. We do this first thing – before any other distractions get in the way. We have been doing this since Kindergarten so now it is just part of the routine. Back then they couldn’t read, so we would just say a prayer. As they got older we added the devotionals. The last couple of school years we have read The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids by Rick Warren. I really like his messages and this was easy to understand. After reading it a few times, we decided to change it up a bit. This school year we are reading One God, One Plan, One Life: A 365 Devotional by Max Lucado. This is a good tween-age book.

There are so many things we can pray for when it comes to our kids. Here are a few simple things to add to your prayer routine. Just remember SMILE.

S – Pray for SAFETY for your kids throughout the school year

Dear Lord, Another school year is upon us. I pray you watch over our kids on their way to school, at school, and on their way home from school. Keep them safe in the classroom. Watch over our kids and protect them from harm.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

M – Pray for your kids to MAKE wise decision and wise friends 

Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of friendship. I pray our kids will choose friends wisely this school year and be a good friend to others. Help them be respectful of their teachers and treat others the way they would want to be treated.

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

I – Pray for your kids to be an INDIVIDUAL and accept others

Dear Lord, Each one of us are fearfully and wonderfully made. Help our kids to recognize their uniqueness and to be comfortable in their own skin. I pray they follow their own will and not try to conform to those around them. Help them to accept others as they are and celebrate differences.

Psalm 139: 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.

L- Pray for LEARNING and knowledge

Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of education. Help us to remember there are kids around the world that do not get the privilege of learning. Help our kids to focus in school and get the most out of each day. I pray for good grades and academic growth this school year.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

E – Pray for the EXCELLENCE

Dear Lord, I pray for our kids to excel in school. Help them to set excellent examples for others and to be thankful and grateful for all their blessings. I pray they are humble and kind.

2 Corinthians 8:7 But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in the grace of giving.

Let’s make it a great school year!