Jimbo's Jots

Before each school year, we take a Sunday to pray for our children, families and school employees. It is a celebration of our families. We create a calendar in which each child is prayed over several times over the next 365 days.

Our church leadership prays over a specific group of families: Birth to Pre-K, Kindergarten-5th grade, Middle school and high school, college students, and school employees. I had the privilege to lead two of those prayers for families and youngest children and school teachers and support people.

Here are my prayers:

Prayer of Blessing for Children and Families

Gracious God,
We thank You for the gift of children—each one wonderfully made in Your image, a precious reflection of Your love. Today we lift up these little ones, from the first breath of life through their earliest years of discovery.

Bless their laughter, their wonder, their first steps and first words. May they grow strong in body, mind, and spirit, surrounded by the safety of Your presence. Protect them in their innocence and nurture their hearts so they may always know they are loved—by You and by their families.

Bless the parents, grandparents, and caregivers who guide these children. Grant them patience, wisdom, and joy in the sacred work of shaping young lives. Strengthen their homes with peace, kindness, and faith so that love may be the foundation of all they do.

Lord, may these families walk together in grace, celebrate each moment, and trust You with every tomorrow. Keep their hearts tender, their hands open, and their spirits rooted in Your hope.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, who welcomed the little children with open arms.
Amen.

Prayer of Blessing for Teachers and School Employees

Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of education and for all those who serve within our schools. Today we lift up teachers, administrators, and every staff member whose work shapes the lives of children and families.

Bless the teachers who open minds and spark curiosity. Grant them wisdom to guide, patience to nurture, and creativity to inspire. May their classrooms be places of safety, joy, and growth.

Bless the staff who serve behind the scenes—bus drivers, office workers, food service teams, custodians, aides, and counselors. May their efforts be honored, their spirits encouraged, and their labor seen as a holy act of service.

Grant strength in moments of weariness, clarity in times of challenge, and joy in the small victories each day brings. Fill their hearts with compassion and resilience, and remind them that their work is a reflection of Your care for every child.

Lord, surround our schools with Your protection. Let them be communities of respect, kindness, and hope. And may every employee know they are deeply valued and blessed by You.

In the name of Jesus, our great Teacher, we pray.
Amen.

Be blessed this school year families! Be a blessing to others too!!