By: Zach Collins
School is back in session! It is a day of mixed emotions. Some children are filled with apprehension, others mention anticipation, and for some, it is a matter of convention. As we start the beginning of this school year, we wish our children a successful year. We hope they succeed in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities! However, let us never neglect to remember that secular education is not the top priority for Christians. Primarily, our priority is recognizing the authority of Christ and the supremacy of spiritual matters (c.f., Matthew 6:33). Secular education and ambitions ought to be tempered by established spiritual priorities. It was Paul who said, in Romans 16:29, “For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.”
Let us never become so consumed with our educational ambitions that we do not consider that this world and everything in it belongs to God (c.f., Psalm 24:1). Whether your child’s heart is filled with angst or honest anticipation, let us first fill the hearts of our children with prayer as they prepare for this upcoming school year. Many are focused on the school supplies list to help their children prepare academically, but I want to give you our spiritual supplies list of prayers to your children to prepare spiritually.
1. Pray for Boldness (Psalm 27:1)
2. Pray for Courage (Ephesians 6:10)
3. Pray for Compassion (Ephesians 4:32)
4. Pray for Friendship (Proverbs 18:24)
5. Pray for Humility (Philippians 2:3-5)
6. Pray for Integrity (Proverbs 10:9)
7. Pray for Maturity (1 Corinthians 14:20)
8. Pray for Protection (Psalm 91:11)
9. Pray for Respectfulness (Romans 12:10)
10. Pray for Peer Pressure (Psalm 1:1-2)
11. Pray for School Leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
12. Pray for Self-Control (2 Peter 1:5-7)
13. Pray for Self-Esteem (Jeremiah 17:7)
14. Pray for Victory (Psalm 18:29)
15. Pray for Zeal (Romans 12:11)
A prayer a day helps keep Satan away. When you spend the money to take your child “Back-to-School” shopping, let us be sure we are propping up their spirituality. If you give time to helping your child fill out their school supplies list, let us teach them to be wise as serpents yet harmless as doves (c.f, Matthew 10:16). As we strive toward the goal to make them successful academically, let us show them how to achieve the greater goal, how to live the Christian life authentically. As we begin this school year, let us seek to use all things, including your education, to the glory of God (c.f., 1 Corinthians 10:31).
August 9th, 2023