On Going Back to School: Five Prayers for my Children

It’s back to school time! Stores are filled with backpacks, highlighters, and more binders than you can hold. Everyone is soaking up the last few weeks of summer before school begins. I felt like this summer went by so quickly - it was over in the blink of an eye. I hope that you got to enjoy the season and do some amazing fun things with your littles. 
 
So many single moms are now about to watch their kids head to school; it can kind of be a scary thing. Whether kids are about to start school for the first time, attend a new school because of a move, or just moving up a grade with new teachers and new friends, it can make any momma’s heart feel uneasy. 
 
Here are my FIVE prayers for my children when they go back to school:  

1) I pray they will always know the love of their Father.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Of course, I want them to always experience the love of their dad. More than that, though, I want them to truly know and understand the infinite love that their Heavenly Father has for them (John 3:16). I want my children to savor the fact that He knows them and had set them apart while they were still in my womb (Jeremiah 1:5).  
 
God knows everything about them, even the number of hairs on their head (Luke 12:7). I pray that they will not just know that in their minds, but that they will also experience it in their hearts. I pray that love will guide them in their lives.
 
2) I pray that they will walk with boldness and courage.
 
Life can be scary. I won’t downplay that fact. I wish I could take all the evil away in this world; everything from the boogie man in the dark to frightening life events - I would take it all away if I could. But my precious children don’t need to walk in fear of this evil; they were not born with a spirit of fear, but of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) I pray they will declare that over themselves in times they are feeling scared. I pray they will walk in the confidence that God has given them. Not in the world's cocky confidence, but in the confidence that only God can give.
 
3) I pray that they will be leaders.
 
My children are feisty. They are energetic. They are strong willed. They are determined. These things can help them to become amazing leaders in the Kingdom of God. I hope that these things won’t change in these children, but instead that they will see the strength in it and that, as their mother, I can cultivate it well.
 
4) I pray that they always seek compassion.
 
From comforting each other when they are upset to helping me with cleaning, I pray my children never stop seeking compassion. I pray they won’t allow the world, circumstances, relationships, or shortcomings to harden their hearts. I pray that God will always keep their hearts tender.
 
5) I pray that, no matter what, they will desire to serve the Lord.
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One of my greatest prayers for my children is that they will not just be believers of Jesus but that they will also be followers of Jesus. 
Even when it’s hard. 
Even when it’s confusing. 
Even when they stand alone in the crowd. 
I pray my children will not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time they will reap a harvest if they do not give up. (Galatians 6:9) I pray they will sow goodness and reap goodness.

Mommas, I want you to know that you are doing an amazing job. You are sending your children back to school, and I pray that each one of you will feel the love of God as you parent His children. 
 
With Love, 
Monica

Monica Rodriguez is a BoyMom, lover of Jesus, appreciator of all things pink, and a self-proclaimed romantic. She is navigating through life as a single momma to two little ones with coffee in her hand and grace in her heart. Monica's desire is to inspire and be inspired; sharing hope as she clings to it as well. She is California-raised but now resides in Missouri with her two precious boys.