At the end of summer, my husband and I usually host a little breakfast called Prayers and Pancakes. It’s open to anyone who wants to join us. This year, with so many busy schedules and a lighter response, we decided to cancel the breakfast—but not the prayers.

In creating this post, I draw on my years as a teacher, my experience with families, and my deep respect for both traditional and unconventional schooling. Whether your children attend public, charter, private, or homeschool, I want to encourage you: be bold, be fearless, and follow God’s leading in how you choose to educate. He entrusted these children to you.

So I invite you: take a moment to pray for our children as they return to school.

Our kids carry so much these days. The pressure to look, talk, think, or be a certain way is heavy—and often unrealistic. Pray for their protection, and for us as adults, that we would have the wisdom to remind them they are enough, just as they are.

Pray for our teachers. Their work is demanding in ways not written into contracts and often unseen. They are asked to do far more than teach. As a teacher, I pray for grace for parents, and grace from parents. We don’t always get it right, but I promise—we are never trying to get it wrong.

Pray for our aides and assistants. Their role is every bit as challenging as the teacher’s, sometimes even more so. They need patience, compassion, and grace—not only for students but also for, and from, their teaching partners.

Pray for our bus drivers. If you’ve never been on a school bus at the end of the day, it’s hard to imagine the challenges they face. Pray for their patience and focus as they carry the enormous responsibility of bringing children home safely. That is no small task.

Pray for our custodians. Their work is not glamorous, but it is essential. I am deeply grateful for a clean room each morning, and for the fact that I’m not the one mopping up accidents or cleaning up sickness.

Pray for our kitchen staff, who feed hundreds of children every day while navigating special diets and unique needs.

Pray for our school nurses. They are the first line of defense when illness strikes, managing everything from blood sugar checks to midday medications to sudden emergencies. Their day often begins before the first bell, sometimes with calls from bus drivers needing help with sick students. They are truly angels, even when they face frustration from parents or staff.

Pray for our school secretaries. They are the glue of the building, juggling a dozen roles at once. They deserve more appreciation than they will ever ask for.

And finally, pray for our administrators. Their role is like playing a never-ending game of chess, constantly moving pieces while balancing the needs of many. Pray for their wisdom, their ability to see the good in their staff even when they don’t perfectly align with their vision, and for patience with students of all abilities. Pray that they truly listen to families and their communities, and that they show kindness and grace to the school staff, as well as to each other.

Friends, in the coming days, I will take time to pray, and if prayer is part of your life, I invite you to pray, as well. You and your children will also be part of my prayers.

Preparing kids for a new school year is no small feat—doctor and dental checkups, new clothes and shoes, new routines, planning lunches, and the endless flood of school papers. And yes… even the Starbucks or McDonald’s line (especially with hangry kids in the car!).

You are all in my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers, in the days ahead. ❤️