5 Ways to Pray for Back-to-School
The beginning of a new school year brings a mix of excitement and anticipation. New teachers, classrooms, books, new friends, and new opportunities are waiting for us this year. As parents, we want and pray for our children to learn, make friends, stay healthy, grow in their faith, and have a successful year.
But what if our prayers went deeper?
At Greenville Classical Academy, we believe education is more than preparing students for college or a career. We want to prepare students for life in the kingdom of God. That is why we begin with the end in mind: the Portrait of a GCA Graduate.
- Christlikeness
- Scholarship
- Leadership
- Character
- Citizenship
We want our students to grow into young men and women that portray these goals in all they do. These goals remind us that education is more than what a student knows, but who they are becoming.These goals give a framework for ways to pray for our children and students as we start the new school year.
Here are five ways you can pray for your child this school year.
1. Pray for Christlikeness
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” — Galatians 5:22–23
Before we pray that our children will get good grades, make the team, or accomplish their goals, we can pray that they will grow in their love for Christ. We want our graduates to be obedient to God and to increasingly demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. We want them become more like Christ every day.
Pray that your child would:
- Love God and His Word more deeply.
- Grow in obedience, even when obedience is difficult.
- Demonstrate patience and kindness toward teachers and classmates.
- Respond to frustration with self-control.
- Become increasingly aware of their need for Christ.
2. Pray for Scholarship
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;” Proverbs 2:6
A classical education takes the pursuit of truth seriously because all truth is God’s truth.
Our goal for scholarship is for students to go beyond memorizing information or trying to earn the highest grade. We want them to become lifelong learners, thoughtful thinkers, and discerning men and women who actively seek truth and knowledge and submit every thought to Jesus Christ because we know that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding come from the Lord.
As your child begins a new year, pray that they would approach learning with humility and wonder.
Pray that your child would:
- Develop a genuine love of learning.
- Work diligently, even when a subject is difficult.
- Ask thoughtful questions and seek truth.
- Learn to think carefully rather than simply accept what they hear.
- Grow in wisdom and discernment.
3. Pray for Leadership
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” — Matthew 20:26
The world often defines leadership by power, influence, or position. Scripture gives us a different picture. We see Jesus often portrayed as a servant king.
We want our graduates to become servant leaders—students who take godly initiative, lead respectfully according to God’s Word, and persevere in their responsibilities.
We want students to know they do not have to hold a position of any kind to lead. They can lead by serving a classmate, taking responsibility for a mistake, helping someone who is struggling, or faithfully completing a task when no one is watching.
Pray that your child would:
- Look for opportunities to serve others.
- Lead with humility and respect.
- Have courage to do what is right.
- Persevere when something becomes difficult.
- Use their gifts and abilities to serve others.
4. Pray for Character
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
One of the most important things we can pray for our children is that they would become people of Godly character.
Our fourth goal is that a GCA graduate would be known for humility, honesty, integrity, and courage. Character is formed in ordinary moments: when a student is left out by their peers, when they receive correction, when they make a mistake, or when doing the right thing costs them something.
Pray that your child would:
- Receive correction with humility.
- Tell the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
- Do what is right when no one is watching.
- Have courage to stand for what is true and good.
- Take responsibility for their actions.
- Treat others with dignity and respect.
5. Pray for Citizenship
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 3:20
Our children are growing up in a world that desperately needs Christians who know how to live faithfully within it.
We want our graduates to be fully equipped to live as citizens of the kingdom of God in this world—to lovingly confront trials and challenges, to honor God-ordained authorities, and to serve God faithfully.
This means praying not only that our children will know what they believe, but that they will know how to live faithfully in light of what they believe.
Pray that your child would:
- Remember that their ultimate identity and allegiance belong to Christ.
- Respect teachers, parents, coaches, and other God-ordained authorities.
- Respond to disagreement with wisdom and charity.
- Have courage when facing cultural pressures.
- Serve their school, church, family, and community faithfully.
- Be willing to stand for truth while treating others with love.
Begin the Year by Praying for Who They Are Becoming
A new school year gives us another opportunity to entrust our children to the Lord.
We will certainly pray for their grades, friendships, activities, health, and many other things throughout the year. But may we also remember to pray for who they are becoming.
Our hope at Greenville Classical Academy is not simply to graduate students who are ready for college. We want to graduate young men and women who are ready for the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven: students who love Christ, pursue truth, lead through service, demonstrate Godly character, and faithfully live as citizens of God’s kingdom.
Let us as parents and teachers pray toward these things together.
As the school year begins, we want to go beyond the question of, “Will my child succeed this year?” but, “Lord, how are You forming my child to know, love, serve, and glorify You?” That is a prayer worth carrying throughout the entire school year.
