When my daughter Caroline graduated from college, I was thrilled to have at least one child out of school.

But in 2018, she headed back to school. AGAIN. 

The day she began graduate school, I had a lot of conflicting emotions:
Nostalgia: how can this be? Seems like only yesterday I was sending her off to first grade. 
Amazement: one day she’ll be a nurse practitioner. Wow!
Anxiety: what will this year be like? What if . . .

Even if your child is starting preschool this week, I bet you can relate.

The beginning of school each year—no matter how old your kids are—is a big step.
So it’s also a big step for the family.

Hopefully this school year will be fantastic, but what if it’s not? You want your kids (or grandkids) to thrive and be happy, but what if they struggle? What if they’re treated unfairly? What if they fall in with the wrong crowd?

Here’s what I’ve learned: with each passing year, you have less control over what happens to your children. This can make you (and your kids) feel anxious as they go back to school.

I have a suggestion. Why not pray with your kids this week as school begins?

Prayer calms anxiety. It soothes hearts and relieves minds. It builds your faith like nothing else can. Prayer is completely free, but its value is immeasurable. The Bible says:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”  (Phil. 4:6)

To help you pray together, I’ve written the 2022-2023 Back-to-School Prayer Guide* for families:

Thousands have enjoyed my Back-to-School prayer guides for the last 5 years! Join us this week as we pray for 7 days over 2022-2023.

This guide has a specific focus for each day, a few ideas with related Scriptures, and a page for writing out your personal prayers. Here’s a sneak peak:

Why write down your prayers? Because it helps you organize your requests and provides greater perspective. It also gives you a written record of what you prayed for, in case you forget.

Use this guide to pray with your children as they go back to school! Simply subscribe in the form below and I’ll send it to you.

Print this guide and use it to pray with your kids, family, or friends.

After you’ve written your prayers in this 7-day guide booklet, save it until the end of the school year. As you look back at your prayers, you may be surprised at how the Lord has answered.

When: Monday 8/1/22 – Sunday 8/7/22. (Or whenever you choose)

How: Subscribe in the form below or in the pop-up box and I’ll send you this FREE 7-day guide.* Print and use it to pray over your kids school year. Pray on your own, or with your family, or with your friends.

Why: Because nothing builds your faith like an answered prayer. You won’t regret praying your kids back to school.

Get the Back-to-School Prayer Guide 2022-23* and join us!

*The Back-to-School Prayer Guide is an annual event at maypatterson.com. Every year I make a new guide, so get your copy for the 2022-2023 school year today!