10 Back-to-School Prayers for Stressed Moms
It's all starting.
The checklists, the mad dash to buy all the new things required for a new year, and that essential calendar are starting to fill, and the start of a new school year is right around the corner. I don't know about you, but I'm not ready. I may be in full-fledged denial mode.
Last week, I attended a full-day training for one of the co-ops my kids are involved with. I left with a twitching eye and in a grumpy mood. Life is just a lot right now, and the idea that I must construct a meaningful learning environment for my six children is stressing me out.
In our home, we have also hit the point in this parenting journey at which getting ready for school looks like preparing for a new homeschool year for three kiddos. We have two kids attending private school, we have to prepare ourselves for our co-ops, my older kids' traveling sports, my younger kids' introductory sports, and we have a baby. Big family problems, right?
Whether you are preparing for one or six kids, making sure everyone is ready to roll into their new classes with the right-sized shoes, well-stocked bookbags, and appropriate curriculum is a monumental feat! We moms (and Dads, too) need some extra Jesus to help us ensure we are handling all that is on our plates with grace and love.
The verse the Lord gave me for this year amid all my stress is Psalm 127:1, which says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." These words reminded me that my hustling is meaningless if God is not at the center of our home. I can choose all the right books, sign my kids up for all the best activities, and be so busy doing things that don't matter if Jesus is not guiding our homes. Let's pause, take a few deep breaths, and pray that God guides us and our children as we prepare for a new school year.
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1. A Prayer for Guidance
1. A Prayer for Guidance
I will instruct and teach you how to proceed and counsel you with my eye upon you.
Father, as we prepare for a new school year, we ask for your guidance. As we say yes to new experiences, new friends, new teachers, and new routines, let us invite you into each of these new spaces. Guide us towards your truth as we help our children learn and grow. Please help us find rest as we trust you to open the right doors for our family and close off opportunities that aren't right for us. Give us ears to hear you speak into our lives. Please show us your way and teach us your path for this school year. Amen.
2. A Prayer for Peace
2. A Prayer for Peace
Now may the Lord of peace himself always give you peace in every way. The Lord be with you all.
God, as we fret over all the details that need to be coordinated for the school year, remind us that we have access to your supernatural peace. We surrender all our cares to you. You are good and have good plans for our families. We can trust you. Help us let go of the weight of worry we carry for our children. Please offer us your perfect peace that we can hold onto as we face the many ups and downs of the new school year. Amen.
3. A Prayer for Protection
3. A Prayer for Protection
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
God, we thank you for being so faithful! As we start this year, let us find comfort knowing that you faithfully go before us and our children. We ask that you protect every person in our families as they prepare to go out into the world so they can learn and grow. Keep them away from evil. Protect them from illness, emotional wounds, chaos, and harm.
Faithfully be our shield. Please help me to trust you as I let go of my children and watch them try new things in this great big world you created. Amen.
4. A Prayer for Rest
4. A Prayer for Rest
And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Father, as the summer wraps up, help me find rest in you! I release my stress to you. Please help me not miss the chance to be present with my family during the last days of summer. Please give me the peace and strength I need to enjoy our last outings and lazy days together before the school year routine starts back up again. Help me rest knowing that you will guide us into this new season. You are enough for us. Amen.
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5. A Prayer for Provision
5. A Prayer for Provision
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Father, I thank you for being a great provider. As I stress over what we need for the school year, help me look to you as our provider! God brings all the resources we need for our family into our home. Please help us use all you've given us wisely. Provide the supplies we need, the best teachers for my kids, the friends that will keep them encouraged, and the endurance they need to excel in their studies. Amen.
6. A Prayer for Discipline
6. A Prayer for Discipline
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
God, we thank you that discipline yields peace and righteousness when disciplined as a family. Give us each the discipline required to be diligent in our preparations for this school year. Help us not procrastinate but prepare our homes and hearts in a timely manner so we don't have to feel stressed. Show us how we can engage our kids and our spouse in this process so we don't think that the weight of every decision is on our shoulders. Amen.
7. A Prayer for Unity
7. A Prayer for Unity
Finally, I pray that you all have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Father, as we prepare for a new school year, bring the unity we need in our home to make decisions for our family. Help communication to be smooth in our house. Please help us be quick to listen and slow to speak as we consider all the options for the year. Let us embrace your kindness and humility as we interact with each other. Let love live in our homes and guide us as we work together to build a family that loves you. Amen.
8. A Prayer for Joy
8. A Prayer for Joy
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
God, not everything about routine is exciting. Many times, our children complain about what is to come. We ask that you bring them joy as they consider the following season. Bring people and experiences into their lives that get them excited about learning in this new year. Please help us as a family to find things to be excited about as we prepare! Please help me find creative ways to engage my kids and seek opportunities for them to engage with experiences that ignite their passion and creativity. In all we do, help us see you and the beauty you have made in our world. Amen.
9. A Prayer for the Fruits of the Spirit
9. A Prayer for the Fruits of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Father, I ask that you fill our home with the fruits of the Spirit. As I want to be annoyed, short-tempered, or stressed, help me choose love, kindness, and patience instead. While my children grapple with what a new school year brings, help them find joy and self-control. Help every person in our home adjust to the new routines, being patient with the changes. Let all who know us see your fruit in us. Amen.
10. A Prayer for Growth
10. A Prayer for Growth
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Father, we ask that we all grow this year! Please help us grow in grace. Give us chances to grow in love for one another and you. Help me grow in patience and my ability to trust you with all the details as a Mom. I want to bring progress to my children's development and academics. Grow the security and attachment that is happening in our home. Let this be a year in which we honor you wholeheartedly. Amen.
Related:
5 Prayers for Moms Dreading the End of Summer Break
7 Prayers for Students This Upcoming School Year
Originally published August 01, 2025.
