A Mom's Prayer On the First Day of School

Well, I just sent Lindsey off to her first day of second grade. It is so hard to believe. As much as I thought I was ready for school to start, I still have a lump in my throat. I will miss her today. She was a little nervous about going, to which I responded "You know the teacher (she had her for reading last year) and you know 12 of the kids in your class...no reason to be nervous." "Well, what if I don't know how to do second grade work?"...to which I responded, "you have been reading since you were 4 1/2 and we studied carryover addition and borrowing in subtraction this summer...you are way, way ahead of the game.." "But still, Mom"..." So we prayed for peace in her heart today. You see, I don't send my kids out the door to school without praying over them first...we pray for a veil of protection over the school, the teachers, the kids...we pray for their eyes and ears to be closed from the things the Lord doesn't want them to hear and open them to the things He does want them to hear..we give thanks that we live in this community with this school and for these teachers so willing to teach our kids...we are so blessed. The only way I can let them out the door into the world is knowing that I have asked the Lord to watch over them every single day. (I am not looking forward to the teenage years when they are not within my control 24/7) Having said all this, I read a friend's blog last night with one of the best prayers I have ever read about sending your kids off to school...I flat out stole it from her to share with all of you....I hope it speaks to and comforts you as much as it did me.


A Mom's Prayer On the First Day of School
Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full.
And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do. But a mom still has to ask.
Will You walk with them? Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it?
Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only You can give, and will You keep harm far away?
Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them?
Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience? Will You bless them for their efforts?
Will You love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them?
Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can?
Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care.
Amen.