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A Prayer for My Kids on the First Day of School

A Prayer for My Kids on the First Day of School

Last updated on: August 10, 2018 at 12:32 pm by Matt Pearson

A Prayer for My Kids on the First Day of School 2018-08-10T12:32:04-05:00 Matt Pearson

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Father,

As you well know, my children start school today. New year. New school. New friends. New teachers. New lunch room. New hallways. New grade.

Thereâ€™s a big part of me that is glad and thankful for all of this.

Thereâ€™s another big part of me that is anxious and scared.

I am grateful for the summer we have had.

I am grateful for the incredible school system.

I am grateful for the teachers.

I am grateful for the brand new facility.

I am grateful for a few familiar faces.

I am grateful for the education they are receiving.

I am grateful for the friendships they will develop.

I am grateful for the opportunities to thrive in non-academic settings.

I am grateful for the fact that they will be out of the house for good portion of the weekday. . .well, itâ€™s true. . . I am.

But I am also scared.

I am scared that they will be scared.

I am scared that they will be influenced negatively.

I am scared that they will hear and see things I donâ€™t want them to hear and see.

I am scared that they will be tempted to do and say things I donâ€™t want them to do and say.

I am scared of names they will be called.

I am scared of hard exams and homework.

I am scared that they will be afraid to talk to me or Katie about things.

I am scared of being too distracted to notice when they need me to be present.

There are many things I could pray for today and countless things that will come up throughout the year. But here is what I ask You to please do for them as they endure/enjoy another year of school: give them someone who knows and loves themÂ andÂ knows and loves Jesus who can help them wisely process lifeâ€™s realities. I canâ€™t keep them from seeing and hearing things. They are going to be tempted and scared and frustrated and angry. I want them to experience real life. But I so want them to be able to process life with wisdom. Of course, my desire is that they process life with Katie and me. But if not us, give them a friend or two who will lead them toward wisdom. If not that, another adult who they trust to lead them in wisdom. If you would so allow, I pray they have an abundance of people in and around them who they feel can help them with life.

I canâ€™t keep them in a bubble. I donâ€™t want to. I want them to know reality. But I want them to process reality with wisdom. So Father, please give them people that know and love them and Â know and love Jesus who will help them process lifeâ€™s realities.

Thank You for how You will answer.

Because of Jesus I pray,

Luke, Seth, and Birtiâ€™s Dad

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