15 Bible Verses and Prayers for Kids Going Back to School

My oldest child started kindergarten during the COVID lockdowns. Since kindergarten is optional in our state, we chose to homeschool. Part of our decision was driven by concern—we couldn’t imagine our child wearing a mask for hours every day. For three months, I juggled homeschooling, work, and chasing a toddler. While the experience wasn’t terrible, it was far from ideal for my very social and active son. Thankfully, the mask requirement for kindergartners was eventually dropped, since most five-year-olds ended up dropping their masks on the floor more than they actually covered their noses and mouths. Who could have guessed?

We enrolled my son, and he was fortunate to have an excellent teacher, make friends, and earn good grades. He loves school so much that, even at eleven years old, he still gets excited for the start of a new school year.

Since 2020, I have prayed over my children, their teachers, friends, and school. Prayer has become my lifeline, calming my worries and helping me surrender my children into God’s care. I’ve compiled a list of fifteen Bible verses and short prayers you can use for your students as they return to school. I hope your kids have a wonderful school year. And remember to pray for the teachers and administrators as well. Check out 11 Prayers for Teachers.

Let's look at Bible Verses & Prayers for Our Kids Returning to School.

A Prayer for:

1. Courage

Have I not commanded you [ insert child’s name]? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Lord, give my children the courage to stand up to evil. Help them make the right choices and obey You, even when it is hard and uncomfortable. Make them brave in the face of adversity. Reassure my children that You are always with them. Amen.

2. Safety

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)

God, place a hedge of protection over my children and their school. Calm my anxiety and worry as I entrust their care with teachers and school staff. I surrender my children into Your loving care and know that You will keep them safe from harm’s way. In Your mighty name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

3. Good Friends

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

Dear Jesus, place wise, loyal, joyful, and loving friends in their lives. Give them friends that they can trust and grow with throughout their years in school. Place other believers in their lives that encourage them in their walk with You. Amen.

4. Standing Up for Others and Being a Loyal Friend

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

Jesus, give my children servants’ hearts. May they be loving, loyal, empathetic, and encouraging to others. Convict their hearts to never bully others and give them courage to stand up for victims of bullying. Help them make lasting and fruitful friendships. Thank You for the example You set in the Gospel of what a good and loyal friend is. Amen.

5. Peer Pressure

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Dear Heavenly Father, keep my children on the path You have marked out for them. Help them to know right from wrong and choose what is right, even when it is hard, and they risk losing friends. I pray they seek You first and know they can always come to me in times of trouble and uncertainty. May I be a good parent, listener, and patient guide, always pointing them back to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

6. Being Respectful to Others

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 (NIV)

God, help me to raise loving and respectful children. May their words and actions always be respectful and considerate of others. May they live honorable and humble lives, and conduct themselves in respectful ways. When they do mess up, give them the humility to repent and ask for forgiveness. Amen.

7. Being Responsible

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)

Lord, help me to teach my children responsibility. As they mature, let them learn to carry their own load, even if it means they face adverse consequences when they fail. Help them to pay attention and enjoy learning new things. May they complete tasks and assignments in a timely manner and try their best to be responsible. Amen.  

8. Replacing Worry and Stress with Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your  heart be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)

Dear Jesus, calm my child’s precious heart. Replace anxiety and stress with the peace that only You can give. May they seek You always and lay down what burdens them at Your feet. Help them get through tests and difficult assignments without stealing their joy and peace. Let them know that their worth is not found in grades, and they can only find their true identity and worth in You. In Your Glorious name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

9. Using Kind Words

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

God, I pray that the words that come out of my children’s mouths are sweet and kind. May I teach them to speak words of life and loving affirmations to others. I hope their words are always considerate, but when they do speak harshly or with impatience as all humans do, I pray they are quick to seek forgiveness. Protect them from harmful language as well. Amen.

10. Seeking Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 (NIV)

Dear Lord, in everything they do, may my children seek wisdom from You. Help them with their studies and interactions with teachers and friends. I pray they make wise decisions. Give them the gift of understanding and discernment. Amen.

11. Trying Their Best

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

God, help me teach my kids to have a good work ethic. I pray they try their best in all their subjects, and not get defeated when assignments are tough. May they persevere and improve each year. I am proud of my children and know they will do great things for Your Kingdom. Amen.

12. Knowing Their Worth

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

Dear Father, I want my children to know that they find their worth in You alone. May they believe they are Your masterpiece, and ignore who the world says they are. As they grow, guard their hearts and keep their eyes on You. I thank You from the bottom of my heart for the gift of my fearfully and wonderfully made kids. In Your loving name, amen.

13. Having Fun While Learning

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

I pray my children enjoy school. May their days be filled with laughter, curiosity, and funny moments to share when they get home. No matter their circumstances, I hope they know they can always find joy by abiding in You. Amen.

14. Finding Their Gifts

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

Dear Jesus, give my children teachers and mentors that help them discover their natural gifts. I pray they use their gifts to glorify You and point others to seek salvation. I know You have equipped them to find and use their individual gifts for the good. You give generously, Lord, and I am thankful for the paths You’ve set for my children. Amen.

15. Being a Light

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)

God, I know the most important thing in this life is to be a vessel for Your Word. May I teach and show my children what it is like to be a light in the darkness, so that they are the salt and light in their schools. I know You have great things purposed for my children, and I pray that they run the race You have set for them. Amen.

May these Bible verses and prayers for kids provide comfort and encouragement for the new school year!