Praying for students is a powerful way to support them throughout the school year. As students navigate school studies and relationships with their teachers and peers, we as parents and educators can encourage them and lift them up in prayer.
Take a look at these prayers for students at each stage of their educational journey, and feel free to download and print these prayers below! Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures are from the New International Version (NIV).
Prayers for Preschool Students
Prayers for Protection
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11
Prayer: Lord, I pray for young preschoolers as they start school for the first time. Give them protection and safety as they go to class each day, and help them to learn and grow throughout their new school experience. Thank you for their sense of awe and wonder at the world you have created, and fill their hearts and minds with your joy each day. Amen.
Prayers for Elementary Students
The elementary school years are wonderful times in a child’s life filled with joy and wonder. Here are some prayers for elementary students as they enter a new school year.
Prayers for Students in Kindergarten
Prayers for Joy
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7
Prayer: Lord, I pray for students entering Kindergarten this year. Thank you for being their strength and shield. Bless them and fill them with a deep love and joy for learning about your world. Help them to have fun and enjoy getting to know their classmates and teachers. Fill them with excitement that inspires them to learn new things and to do their very best in school. Amen.
Prayers for Students in First Grade
Prayers for Peace
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11
Prayer: Lord, grant the first grade students in our community your peace as they navigate a new school year. May their classrooms be filled with peace that fosters a fun and positive learning environment. May their hearts be filled with a deep sense of calmness as they approach their classrooms with joy and excitement. Amen.
Prayers for Students in Second Grade
Prayers for Understanding
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
Prayer: Lord, I pray for students in the second grade. Fill their hearts with wisdom as they learn new things this year. Give them understanding to grasp new concepts and skills that will prepare them for life. As they interact with their peers and teachers, give them keen insight that will propel them forward in their education, and give them an excitement to learn and discover your world. Amen.
Prayers for Students in Third Grade
Prayers for Strength
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29
Prayer: Lord, I lift up all students in the third grade today. Strengthen them by the power of your Holy Spirit, and equip them to face each day with your might and fortitude. Help them to make wise choices and to choose friends who will help them make the right decisions. Increase their strength each day, that they may live for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayers for Students in Fourth Grade
Prayers for Perseverance
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:36
Prayer: Lord, I pray for fourth grade students as they enter a new school year with eagerness and anticipation. Grant them a hard-working spirit that is committed to perseverance and tenacity. Help them to do their best in school so that they can grow and mature as they learn about the world around them. Bless them with joy and creativity as they use their gifts and talents to develop new skills that will help them in their future. Amen.
Prayers for Students in Fifth Grade
Prayers for Diligence
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
Prayer: Lord, I pray for fifth grade students today. Give them diligence and persistence as they start the school year. Help them to remain focused and excited for the new things they will learn each day. Give them wisdom to make the right decisions and to encourage their peers to do what is honoring and pleasing to you. Help them to discover new things in your world with joy and wonder. Amen.
Prayers for Middle School Students
Middle school is a stage in life when children transition from young children to adolescence, and this age comes with many joys and challenges. Take a look at these encouraging prayers for middle school students, and lift up a middle school student in prayer today!
Prayers for Students in Sixth Grade
Prayers for Wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5
Prayer: Lord, I pray for sixth graders in our community today. Grant them wisdom and insight to serve you with all their hearts. Help them to make wise decisions throughout the school day that will foster a positive and thriving learning environment. As they enter middle school, help them to grow in grace and maturity as they continue in their education for your honor and glory. Amen.
Prayers for Students in Seventh Grade
Prayers for Discernment
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. Psalm 119:125
Prayer: Lord, I pray for the seventh graders in our community. Give them discernment to understand the world you have created, and to obey your Word with all their hearts. Help them to pursue their studies with joy and wonder as they discover the gifts and skills you have given them. Teach them to discern between right from wrong, and give them insight into the best decisions to make as they navigate the middle school years. Amen.
Prayers for Students in Eighth Grade
Prayers for a Bright Future
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Prayer: Lord, I pray for students in the eighth grade today. Thank you that you have bright plans for them. Because of your unending love, your plans are for their good, and not for their harm (Jeremiah 29:11). Help them to remain diligent in their school work as they transition into high school. Give them the strength and fortitude they need to stay focused and steadfast in their assignments, and to not give up in moments of difficulty. Thank you that you have a wonderful future for each of their lives. Amen.
Prayers for High School Students
The high school years are when students begin exercising more autonomy, learning about their identity, and begin transitioning to adulthood by the time they graduate high school. Here are prayers for high school students that you can use to pray for and encourage the highschoolers in your community.
Prayers for Students in Ninth Grade
Prayers for Knowledge
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15
Prayer: Lord, I pray for ninth grade students to cultivate a continued love for learning. Help them to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding. As they begin their high school years, equip them with discipline and direction to make good choices and further their education with excellence.
Give them a deeper understanding of their studies, and a greater appreciation for the amazing world you have designed for them to investigate and explore. Surround them with your grace and favor this school year. Amen.
Prayers for Students in Tenth Grade
Prayers for Direction and Guidance
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13
Prayer: Lord, I lift students in the tenth grade up to you in prayer today. Bless them as they seek out the direction you have for their lives. As they explore the best options for their future, give them wisdom through your Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. May they seek your Word, and the counsel of their parents and other wise adults who can give them encouragement and sound advice. Amen.
Prayers for Students in Eleventh Grade
Prayers to Love God More Each Day
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37
Prayer: Lord, I come before you to say a prayer for students in the eleventh grade. Help them to love you with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. Give them a desire to seek your face and to follow you all the days of their lives. As they continue on their high school journey, guide their steps and illuminate their paths before them. Thank you for the passions and skills you have given to them, and may they continue to develop those gifts and pursue their interests with joy. Amen.
Prayers for Students in Twelfth Grade
Prayers to Serve Others
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for students in the twelfth grade today, that they may recognize the unique call you have placed on each of their lives. Help them to use the gifts, skills and talents to serve others wholeheartedly. Help them to remain faithful in their studies as they cross the finish line into graduation.
Bless them with the grace and strength they need to finish their graduation requirements and to celebrate their great accomplishments with family and friends. Give them wisdom and direction regarding the next steps in their educational journey. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayers for Students in Trade Schools
Prayers for God’s Good Purpose
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Prayer: Lord, I pray for students studying in various trade schools. Help them to excel in their areas of study and to work diligently with all their heart. May the skills and trades they develop be a blessing to others as they serve those in their communities. Give them joy and confidence to pursue their interests and skills in ways that bring you honor and glory. Amen.
Prayers for College Students
Prayers for Direction in their Careers
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
Prayer: Lord, I pray for college students in my community and around the nation. Thank you for their dedication and drive to understand more about the vast world you have created. Give them direction as they pursue fields of study that will enable them to choose viable careers in their future.
Help them to continue to serve you with joy and gladness. Give them wisdom on their college campuses to make prudent decisions that will be a help and not a hindrance to the bright futures you have for them. Amen.
Prayers for Graduate Students
Prayers to Make a Difference in the World
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9:16
Prayer: Lord, I pray for students who are in graduate school. Give them the perseverance and strength to continue diligently in their studies. Help them to pursue their passions with dedication and tenacity. As they aim to gain greater expertise in their field of study, help them to remain faithful and steadfast.
May all of their hard work benefit their community as they seek to serve and share their knowledge and insight with others. Amen.
In Conclusion
I hope that these prayers for students serve as a blessing and an encouragement to the loved ones in your life!
Related Posts
19 Powerful Prayers for Teachers
21 Powerful Prayers for Graduates
40 Bible Verses for Teenage Girls
25 Powerful and Effective Prayers for Teens
How to Pray Fervent Prayers for your Family
Praying Psalm 121 Over your Family