A new school year can be exciting or scary–or both. Help make that transition easier by praying and giving thanks for the people in our schools and classrooms.

Share this back-to-school prayer from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries with your friends, family, church, and classmates to help prepare your hearts and minds for the school year just ahead.

Read Luke 2:41-52, the account of Jesus with the teachers in the Temple.

One: As we begin this new school year, we give thanks that God has given us the ability to learn many things in many ways.

All: We learn in school, but we also learn in church, in our family, in our community, and in the world.

All: Learning is a gift from God.

One: The Bible tells us that Jesus learned and studied, just as we do.

All: And Jesus grew in wisdom.

One: We ask God’s blessing on this new school year, that it may be a time when we appreciate and fully use God’s gift of learning.

All: We ask God to bless our schools and teachers.

One: We ask God to bless our classmates and friends.

All: We ask God to bless our principals, counselors, and librarians.

One: We ask God to bless those who prepare our lunches, those who drive us to school, and those who keep our schools clean and safe.

All: We give thanks to God for books and computers and all the things that help us learn.

One: We give thanks to God for the gift of learning!

Prayer: Loving God, sometimes a new school year seems exciting or scary or both. Sometimes school is great, and sometimes it is hard. But we know that whether we are excited or scared, you are with us. We know that whether school is great or hard, you are with us. We thank you for always being with us. Help us to remember to show our thanks for your gift of learning by doing our best every day. Amen.

A video of the prayer, produced by United Methodist Communications, facilitates its use in worship settings. 

CLICK HERE to view and download the video.

Last Updated on October 31, 2023