The start of the school year, the first day of kindergarten, a difficult test or an exam session at university: in all these moments, parents and young people look for support. A prayer for students asks God for an enlightened mind, patience in learning, good friends and protection on the way to school. In this article you will find short prayers for schoolchildren, for kindergarten children and for university students, the patron saints of learning and some practical advice.
Why we pray for school
School is not only about grades. It is the place where children shape their character, make friends, learn to lose and to win. That is why a prayer for school includes more than success in exams: it asks for wisdom, kindness and a whole soul.
Prayer does not replace work. It gives the peace and strength to learn fruitfully, and for the student, the feeling of not being alone in the face of difficulties.
Prayer for students before school
A prayer in your own words (suggested by us, not a liturgical text):
Lord, bless this day. Enlighten my mind to understand what I hear, give me attention in class and courage to ask when I don't know. Help me to be kind to my classmates and respectful to my teachers. Keep me safe on the way and bring me home well. Amen.
Older students can say it on their own, in the morning, before leaving. For days that call for special concentration, see also the prayer for attention and memory.
Parents' prayer for schoolchildren
A prayer in your own words (suggested by us, not a liturgical text):
Lord Jesus Christ, I entrust to You my child, (name), who is going to school today. Give them an open mind, a courageous heart and good friends. Protect them from mockery, from unkindness and from danger. Enlighten their teachers to understand them and guide them with patience. Amen.
You will find more prayers of protection for the little ones in our article on the prayer for children.
Prayer for kindergarten
The first days of kindergarten are often hard for both the child and the parent. A very simple prayer, said together in the morning, can calm the little one:
A prayer in your own words (suggested by us, not a liturgical text):
My little angel, come with me to kindergarten. Hold my hand when I miss mummy and daddy and help me make friends. Amen.
Prayer for university students
A prayer in your own words (suggested by us, not a liturgical text):
Lord, I bring You my years of study. Give me discipline and patience, discernment in choosing my professional path and strength not to lose myself far from home. Help me use what I learn for the good of others. Amen.
Before tests, papers, final exams or exam sessions, also use the texts in our guide on the prayer for exams.
The patron saints of learning
- The Three Holy Hierarchs – Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, honoured in the Orthodox Church as patrons of schools and education (celebrated on 30 January);
- The Mother of God – to whom parents turn for their children in every trial;
- The Guardian Angel – received at Baptism, the companion of every child.
For a reliable text addressed to the saints, use an approved Orthodox prayer book or the Akathist to the Three Holy Hierarchs, which you can find in Orthodox churches.
Advice for parents and students
- Pray together with your child in the morning, a few lines they can understand.
- Don't turn prayer into pressure. Your child must feel loved regardless of their grades.
- Take care of sleep and rest. A tired student learns with difficulty, however hard they try.
- Create a quiet place to study. For a calm atmosphere you can use essential oils suitable for children, diffused in small amounts.
- Talk to the teachers when you notice that your little one is sad, withdrawn or no longer wants to go to school.
For teenagers going through changes and turmoil, we have also written about the prayer for young people and teenagers.
Frequently asked questions
What prayer does a student say in the morning?
The Lord's Prayer, the prayer to the Guardian Angel and a few words of their own asking for an enlightened mind and a good day at school are enough.
Who is the patron saint of students?
In the Orthodox Church, the Three Holy Hierarchs – Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom – are honoured as patrons of schools and education.
Can I pray for schoolchildren if I am not their parent?
Yes. Grandparents, godparents, older siblings or teachers can pray for students at any time. Prayer for one's neighbour is blessed.
Is there a prayer for the beginning of the school year?
At the start of the school year, many parishes hold a blessing of water for students and teachers. At home, you can say the prayer for students above on the first day of school.
