Whether you have a child who will be homeschooled, venturing to preschool, heading to college, or in between, the start of the school year can bring a lot of emotions, apprehensions, and even fears for what is to come over the next year. As their parent, grandparent, or caregiver, we might be concerned with how they will do, academically or socially, and question, “Will they find a positive friend group?” or “What if they fall behind?” These are natural thoughts and worries! Instead of letting the worries plant and take root, combat any anxiety with truth and prayer.
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1. A Prayer for Students
God,
You love my child, want the best for them, and have good plans for their future. I pray for a hedge of protection around them. Safeguard them as they travel to and from their school, as well as their care and well-being during their class times, and may Your hand of grace be upon them in their activities and sports. Father, I pray You would lead them to the right friends and protect their minds and hearts from those not walking with You. Open their minds to learn, their souls to grow in Yours, and their bodies to stay strong and healthy. In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
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2. A Scripture to Declare Over Students
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
When you feel the hint of fear trying to creep into your heart, declare this verse! As believers, we have the authority to claim peace, even when our natural tendency is to worry.
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3. How to Prioritize Your Faith During the School Year
Make going to church a priority! I know everyone is tired from the work and school week, but how would it look if you made attending church a main household priority? If sports teams or travel teams hinder your family’s regular church attendance, I say this with gentleness and love, but it might be time to rethink those activities. I’d encourage you to seek God in what is the main priority for your family this school year. Psalm 92:13 says,
“Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
If you want your family to flourish (and thrive!) this upcoming year, stay rooted in your local church. Plugging in to youth groups, small groups, and regularly hearing the word of God preached will absolutely make a difference in your year to come.
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4. Remember God’s Love
When I was a new mom, I remember talking with a mentor about how worried I was about my new baby. A few of my worries I expressed: “Was he eating enough and gaining enough weight?” “Will he accept Jesus into his heart?” and yes, at the tender age of my baby being three weeks old, I worried, “How will I ever let him drive off to college without me!?” While I haven’t gotten the answer to that last one yet, I remember the wisdom my mentor said to me. She said, “Shea, God loves your child more than you. You can trust God with your baby!” If our Heavenly Father cares for the birds and dresses the wildflowers with such splendor (Matthew 6:26-30), we can absolutely trust in His goodness for our children and their wellbeing!
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5. A Prayer for Parents, Grandparents, & Caregivers
God, help us shepherd Your children with excellence. Your word says,
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Lord, we are asking for Your great wisdom and discernment for our children. Help us see the spiritual atmosphere of our home and pour out holy love upon our children. I pray for insight and understanding as we build, lead, and teach. I pray that we will be sensitive to Your Spirit regarding how and when we should discipline, establish rules and boundaries, and lead our young. We need every ounce of patience and love You can give us as we pour it out. We praise You for the ability to have such an influential role in their lives. May we honor You in our shepherding.
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7. Safeguard the Calendar
Busy breeds anxiety. I know it is tempting to sign everyone up for…everything. I’m sure sports, clubs, lessons, birthday parties, back-to-school nights, and random meetings are already beckoning to fill up your family calendar. Our role as parents is to love and protect our children. In particularly busy seasons, protecting our students may look like safeguarding a day of rest for our family. Establishing a Sabbath is a gift from God to us (Mark 2:27) and allows our weary, always-going bodies to enjoy a day of downtime and togetherness. Don’t let busy steal your peace and sanity!
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8. Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
The school year can be an intense time for families. Don’t forget to have fun together. Yes, it’s true: the days are long, and the years are short. Before we know it, we will be wrapping up another school year, and our students will be off adventuring another mountain. These years really are precious, and we only get a handful of them. Plan family fun dates and long weekends away when possible. Take everyone for a special ice cream treat after school one random day. Savor the sunsets with a family walk. Time together, focused and undistracted moments (yes, put the phones down!) is the most precious gifts we can pour into our relationships.
Cheers to a wonderful, God-filled year ahead for all. Remember, His Presence is with you and your student. Rest in that peace!
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When Shea is not chopping tiny food up for her three tiny humans, or pitching Chipotle to her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, you can find her doing the following: Feeding her sourdough starter (aka 4th child) and baking bread. Putting her Master of Divinity to work by furiously typing about Jesus during naptimes. Posting encouragement and #momlife reels on Instagram. Conquering virtual hills on her Peloton. Renovating “the dream home” with her husband. Co-hosting her church’s podcast. Homeschooling the littles. Leading a Barre class. Preaching, teaching, and storytelling. And finally, pretending she will keep her indoor plants alive…this time! You can connect with Shea on Instagram at @SheaHsmith, visit her website at www.sheahsmith.com, and keep up with her posts by signing up here.
Originally published Friday, 16 August 2024.
