Prayer for the New School Year
God you are the ruler of all. You are in control over all that happens in the universe and we know that you are good. You made us with purpose. You put value in us. You give us worth.
As students go back to school today, I pray they remember that you are with them. In the halls and classrooms, during their breaks and activities after school, and at home and with friends, you are present with them.
Everyday they will hear truth twisted, they will see Your good design for our bodies ridiculed, they will experience others making people and stuff (creation) more important that You (our Creator). I pray for the students at Rock Prairie, because they will be tempted to join in with what they see and hear. Your word tells us that You will not let them be tempted beyond what they can stand, and when they are tempted to follow what others do and believe You will give them a way out (1 Corinthians 10.13). Give students the confidence to remember and stand in what You tell them through the Bible (Ephesians 6.10-18).
I pray You would keep the school systems safe this year. May the school be a place of joy and learning and not a place of sorrow. I pray for the mental health of each student. Silence the lies of the enemy that tell the students they lack purpose, value and worth. You have given each of us those good things. Use their fellow Christian students to remind them of that truth.
I pray that these students would boldly display the Fruits of the Spirit in their schools: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5.22-23). As they do so, may others notice them and want to know why they are filled with these. When people ask, I pray the students are able to articulate the hope they have in Christ (1 Peter 3.15).
Our greatest purpose is to tell others about the gospel. It is our job to tell the world of 1) Your perfect and intentional creation of mankind, 2) our fall from perfection because of our sin, 3) Your rescue through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus through whom we can have forgiveness from our sin and be put back in a right relationship with You, and of 4)Your amazing work of restoration through Your Spirit to make us like Jesus. I pray you would give these students the love and boldness to tell others of your work!
Bless them in their studies and their relationships. Bring the believing students together to encourage each other as they live a life worthy of You while making Christ know to their school. May their relationships be one of unity, so that others might see them and praise You.
I pray all of this in Jesus name
Amen