The beginning of the academic year in September is the most exciting term for the children. Some of them are attending a new school for the first time while others are beginning a new class. On the first day of school the children are on their best behavior.

Every year during orientation, with my children, I would look around at the class filled with well groom and calm children and I would try to read their bright expectant faces to identify any signs of rude behavior but I could not. They all looked so innocent; but the outward appearances are deceptive because by the middle of the term I would hear news of fighting, bullying and various unruly behavior.

I remember during my son’s first year of high school, he had a rough time for the entire school year. He was teased, bullied and harassed. He could not physically fight back so he defended himself by using expletives. I was summoned to school on numerous occasions by the disciplinary principal to settle a dispute between my son and another child. It was a frustrating time for us.

When I inquired why some of these children who appeared to be so innocent on the first day at school turned out to be such tyrants later, I was told that many of them could not relinquish their hyperactive behavior that they had during primary school. So even though they were now in a more mature environment it was difficult for them to adjust.

I was also advised by other parents who had gone through the system to encourage my son to work hard in school so that the following year he would be placed in a class with children who were serious about their school work.

My son’s academic performance was good during the first year of high school and he received a B in his final report. The bad news was that although he was on the honor role, he was not selected to be in the honor society because of his numerous trips to the disciplinary principal’s office.

The good news was that after that first year in school he was never bullied again. Neither did he have any altercations with another child. He will be starting fifth form this school year and he is looking forward to it because it will be his final year in high school.

 My Back to School Prayer Guide

Base on my experience I decided to write a back to school prayer guide. It is based on the word SCHOOL.

• S = Shelter: Every child is entitled to food, shelter and clothing. It is their rights and we should provide those basic items for them. We need to ensure that they are provided with a home filled with love and compassion. Where there is a physical need we should help but we need to pray that God would shelter them in his loving arms under shadow of his wings.
• C = Calmness: Many children are hyperactive. Consequently they will have difficulty listening and following instructions. Pray that they will receive a calm spirit from the Lord which will help them to think clearly and understand their lessons.
• H = Honor: We all want to live a long and healthy life on earth but this is only possible when we learn to honor our parents. There are parents who may not seem respectable but this still does not give their children any right to be disrespectful to them. It is also important that children honor their teachers. During the school term the teachers spent more time with the children than the parents so you need to ensure that your children are not disrespectful to their teachers. If the child has a dispute with a teacher, settle it in a mature and calm manner.
• O² = Obedience: This is double in order to stress the importance of it. Obedience means submitting to authority. It takes a person with the spirit of humility to submit. Children in general find it extremely hard to obey so when you pray for your children ensure that you rebuke the spirit of pride form their life.
• L = Learn: This is the purpose of going to school. The world is a vast place and there are so many things to know. School is the beginning of this knowledge and if your children misuse this opportunity they may not be able to recoup it again. So keep reminding the children that school is not just for socializing with their friends but it is a place that will educate and prepare them to be professional men and women.

 My Prayer For The Children

Lord you promise to be a shelter and strength to us so we declare that we will abide in your tabernacle and teach our children your will because you are our God. Give us wisdom so that we can lead them on the narrow path of righteousness.

Pour out your spirit of calmness on them to remove any anger and rage from their hearts. Grant them wisdom so that they will be able to receive instructions and apply their hearts to understanding.

We stand in one accord and rebuke the spirit of pride from the life of our children. We proclaim that they will submit to authority and be obedient to their parents and teachers. We also pray that they will submit to the authority of God so that they will be able to resist the devil and his evil spirits.

Lord give them a pliable and meek heart so that they will learn to be submissive to each other and to their elders because you resist the proud but you give grace to the humble. “For you o Lord is our sun and shield; you give grace and glory and no good thing will you withhold form those who walk uprightly.” We therefore look forward to only good things in the lives of our children.

Let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard their hearts and mind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The prayer was taken directly from the following references: Psalms 91; Proverbs 15:1-2; Philippians 4:7; Proverbs 1:1-7; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:5; Joel 3:16; Psalms 143:9: Psalms 84:11; Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20.

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