A Prayer For My Kids on Their First Day of School

Heavenly Father,

I am so grateful today for the two boys you have placed in my life. What joy they bring to Katie and I! Thank You for the school system you allow them to walk into this morning. Thank You for their teachers. Thank You for giving them an opportunity to be educated in one of the finest environments around. What a gift of Your grace to us that Luke and Seth can be placed in a system that seeks their greater good academically.

Father, having said that, I am not ignorant of the dangers that await them. Luke and Seth will get an amazing education; that is for sure. But they will also encounter situations, words, attitudes, and behavior that will tempt them in negative ways. I know I was, and am confident the boys will too. Please, Father, lead them not into temptation and deliver them from evil. Help Katie and me to recognize those things that need to be talked through so to always intentionally impart wisdom into their little lives.

I believe You created their teachers, Lord, and knew exactly what they needed when classes were arranged. Please use their teachers to help them develop necessary skills that will enable the reading and comprehension of the Scriptures. Please anoint their teachers in such a way that the boys see even more clearly what a respectable woman looks like. May they continue to recognize the God-given differences between boys and girls and men and women.

Please give them good friends, especially solid friends who are boys. Since You arranged the classes, Father, I trust that there are some guys You put there who Luke and Seth need to live out their ‘boyhood’ and who need Luke and Seth to live out theirs. I pray for friends who help sharpen Luke and Seth’s discernment as to what is good and what is not; what is helpful and what is hurtful; what needs to be challenged and what needs to be encouraged. Give them ‘buddies’ who they can have fun with and look forward to seeing everyday.

God, would You convict my heart to be as intentional as possible when I am with them at home. Give me wisdom to know when to say ‘no’ to invitations in the evenings or weekends so I can be with them while they are young. Give Katie and me enough discernment to understand the importance of time at the supper table – and may those times be so sweet and full of energy and life! May I never forget that my primary ministry is to my family, and continually give me a zealous love for discipling them.

Finally, would You save Luke and Seth this year? Would You send Your Spirit to their soul and help them to supernaturally connect the dots between what they hear at home and church and what their souls most need? Would You begin to steer their hearts affections toward Your Son Jesus and grant that they have a hunger and thirst for righteousness? Help me know the difference between being ‘Pastor Dad’ and being ‘Dad who longs for his sons’ salvation.’

Protect them, Jesus. Make them into men. Real, godly, biblical, and stout men.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen and Amen.