A prayer for a New School Year

Almighty and merciful God,

You are the Alpha and the Omega,

the beginning and the end of all our days.

We commend to You this new school year—

its promise, its challenges, its unknowns—

knowing that nothing comes to us

apart from Your sovereign hand.

We lift before You the students,

each one made in Your image,

each one carrying a story known fully to You alone.

Guard their hearts and minds

in a world that too often confuses achievement with worth.

Give them courage to ask questions,

humility to listen,

and grace to extend kindness to those

who are different from themselves.

We lift before You the teachers—

those entrusted with shaping young minds and spirits.

Grant them patience when the days are long,

wisdom when the path ahead is unclear,

and joy in the small victories that go unseen

except by You.

Let them know that their labor is not in vain in the Lord.

We lift before You the staff—

those whose quiet diligence

keeps hallways safe, classrooms supplied,

and the work of learning possible.

Bless their service as holy work,

and let them see the fruit of their labors in due season.

Protect each person in every classroom,

every bus, every lunch line, every meeting.

Preserve them from harm,

strengthen them in trial,

and fill the year with moments that remind them

that You are in the midst of it all.

And when anxiety rises,

when the to-do lists grow long,

when the outcomes seem uncertain—

turn their eyes to Jesus,

the Author and Perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,

and who even now reigns,

bringing all things to completion in Himself.

We ask this in His holy Name,

who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.