Dear Lord,
On the first day of a new school year, we ask for your protection for our children. Although we can’t go with them into their classrooms, the gym or the cafeteria, thank you that you are always with them.
We pray that you would protect them with your armor, which is much stronger and more effective than anything we could give them.
Thank you for providing the belt of truth. As they learn in their classrooms, allow our children to discern what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and good. Allow them to grow in knowledge and wisdom, realizing that all truth is found in you.
May our children experience the power of the breastplate of righteousness. Protect their hearts as they encounter a world that wants to steal their hearts, and as a result take hold of their will to turn it away from you. Give them a heart that is undivided in its desire to love and serve you.
Help our children to eagerly desire the gospel boots of community. Encourage them to seek community with other Christians that they may grow up into the community of faith. Provide them with friends to strengthen them in their faith journey, and to visually remind them that they do not stand alone against the evil one.
Satan’s attacks are real and fierce. Please protect our children from the fiery darts of the evil one that can come at school, whether from friends or teachers. Give them security behind your shield that can protect them from these external attacks.
Please give our children the reassurance that you are making all things new. Thank you that you reign above and beyond time, and are already preparing eternity for them where you will crush Satan, and we will worship Christ forever. Give them eyes of faith so that they can know your promised salvation can bring them hope and security now.
Please foster in our children a love for your word. Thank you that you have reached down to us in the Bible to give us all we need for life and godliness. Help them to never throw away or devalue the importance of your word. May it take hold in their minds and hearts so that it is available to them whenever they need to resist evil, lies and sin.
Most of all, give them a undying love for Christ.
Thank you that you hold our children in the palm of your hand and that you love them beyond the depths of which even we love them. Bring them home safely so that we can rejoice together in your goodness.
Amen.