Launch your child into the 2021-2022 school year emboldened through prayer.

Yes, summer is almost over! Back-to-school deals are everywhere, and school starts Friday, August 6, here in Tennessee!

While not a spiritual event, starting school is a chance to reboot spiritual priorities, specifically prayer. Commit to pray intentionally and boldly for your child. I’ve included ten prayers to get you started:

Be bold

Lord, may _________ speak and live the truth in front of teachers, staff, and students without hesitation. Cause her to know that she does not have a spirit of fear but one of love, power, and a sound mind. May her boldness attract others to you and for your glory. Speak through my daughter, so the Gospel is not only by word but also with power, in the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. Embolden her in the written word, speech, and action. (1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:7)

Be ready

Equip ________ to live out his divine calling. Give him the words to say in front of the hurting and the hurtful. Clothe him in your armor, so he is prepared to fight against Satan’s tactics. May he speak with clarity and compassion, wisdom and understanding, truth and grace. Grow him to be a strong defender of the faith, giving a reason for the hope inside his heart. Cause him to love your Word so he cannot help but share the Gospel. (Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 3:15)

Be a friend

Guide ________ to healthy friends and communities, to friends where iron sharpens iron, to friends who are good company. Steer her away from bad company, from those who desire to corrupt good morals. Shield her from those who will lead her astray. Arrange divine appointments with those who will be influencers of good. Send life-long friends into her circle of influence. (Proverbs 27:17, 1 Corinthians 15:33)

Be light

Grant __________ faith to believe he is your light. May ___________’s words be seasoned with grace. May he be quick to forgive and slow to anger, full of humility and compassion. Grow a servant’s heart in ________ and multiply opportunities to shine his light. Remind _______ that he is the sweet aroma of Jesus to a hurting world. Help him see others as you do, broken but loved. (Matthew 5:16, 2 Corinthians 2:14)

Be protected

God, stretch out your arms to protect __________. Use your mighty arms to fend off all harm. May _____ fear nothing: not gunshots, thunderstorms, sirens, diseases, or anything else. Even though others succumb all around, Lord, you be _________’s refuge. Order your angels to watch over my child wherever he goes. If he stumbles, cause him to fall into your merciful arms. (Psalm 91)

Be transformed

Mature ______ in the faith, so she is kind, humble, strong, and generous. Teach her your ways. Open her mind to the understanding of your Scriptures. Grow her in your grace, knowledge, wisdom, stature, and favor with you. Do a remarkable transformation by the power of your Spirit in __________ this school year. (Luke 2:40, 2 Peter 3:18)

Be wholly his

Cause ________ to love you with his whole heart, soul, strength, and mind. May he delight in you and honor you with undivided devotion and an undefiled heart. Make _____ quick to repent when convicted. May his greatest desire be to fall in love with you. (Mark 12:30)

Be filled

Reveal yourself powerfully and magnificently through your Spirit to ________. Fill him with your Spirit, so others see your reflection. Multiply the fruit of the Spirit in __________ where only love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control spill out on others. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Be wise

Help ________ to discern her calling and make wise decisions. Give ______ a discerning heart and ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Cause her to seek wisdom, to search for it as a treasure. May wisdom be ___________’s close friend and knowledge a pleasant companion. (1 Kings 3:9, Proverbs 2:1-6)

Be compassionate

Grow compassion in __________ for the marginalized, the poor, and the sick and turn it into action. Cause ________ to do what is fair and just, to be compassionate and loyal in your love, and to walk humbly with God. May her life be defined by love, justice, and mercy. Clothe my child in compassion each day. (Micah 6:8)

Lord, do it! Do it this day—this school year.