College Chaplain

A Prayer for the New School Year

Loving God,

As we jump back into school life, we take a moment to pause and hand this year over to You. Our hearts are full of big hopes for our children, but we also feel the tug of the busy weeks ahead.

For our students: 

You know that school can sometimes feel overwhelming. When anxiety creeps in or when the pressure to "keep up" feels too heavy, please settle their hearts. Remind them that they are loved for who they are, not for what they achieve. Help them find a sense of calm and a quiet confidence in who You created them to be, and let them thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and in all they choose to pursue throughout this year.

For our homes: 

Help us find a healthy rhythm in the middle of the morning rush and the afternoon extra-curricular runs. Slow us down enough to see and connect with each other. We pray for those small, meaningful moments, the chats in the car or the laughs over dinner, may we create a home life that is secure, fun and full of these moments of connection.

For us as carers and parents: 

Please quiet the "parent guilt" that tells us we aren’t doing enough or that we’re falling behind. When we’re tired or stressed, give us Your patience and a bit of extra grace for ourselves. Help us remember that being “present” matters so much more than being “perfect.” As our children grow through the year, help us to grow with them, learning, empowering and loving them along the way.

A blessing for the year: 

We ask for Your blessing on this school community. May our classrooms be places of learning and kindness, and our homes be places of rest and connection. Go before us in this new year, showing us the way and filling our days with Your peace, love and grace.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.