Father God,
Today, I pray for the children who are returning or going off to school this month. I pray that You would protect them physically, emotionally, and spiritually regardless of whether it is their first year of school or their last year of studies or anywhere in between.
I pray for those who are excited by their return and those who are dreading it. I pray for those who have been blessed by prior school experiences and for those whose past education has hurt them in one way or another.
I pray especially for those whose prior school experience has left them afraid for their lives from bullying and threats, even actual violence. I pray especially for those whose hearts and spirits have been scarred by what they have seen and heard and experienced even when their bodies have been unharmed. I pray also for those who are unaware of physical or emotional harm, but whose spirits have been misled and deceived against You.
I thus pray for the priceless bodies and souls of our next generation who are being shaped in all these ways for the better or for the worse. I pray You would guard them and draw them to You through both the sunshine and the rain.

In Christ’s Name,
Amen.