A Prayer For The First Day Of Preschool

A Prayer for the First Day of Preschool

We can’t believe this day is finally here,

O God, Creator of babies,

Who grow so fast.

We see their still-round cheeks

And their skinned knees

And their too-big backpacks,

And we marvel at the sneaky passing of time—

Where has our baby gone?

The days have ticked by, hour by hour,

Changing diapers and teaching them how to walk.

Now we ask You to guide their steps, O God,

In their light-up sneakers

And legs that have lost their toddler rolls,

Giving way to longer, leaner limbs,

Ready to explore.

May we rejoice at their excitement.

May we not diminish their fears.

And may we instill in them confidence

To walk into their first classroom

Full of new faces

And new adventures.

Bless the teachers who have prepared for them.

Give them imagination to guide our child,

And give them patience, Lord—

So much patience.

May our child make a friend or two

And be transported to lands of make-believe

Via centers and color-coded carpets

That have a little magic in them.

We thank You for sand tables and glitter glue,

For story time and blocks galore.

May they explore new toys

And get their hands a little dirty too.

When the day is done, O Lord,

Will You bring them safe into our arms?

Because they’re preschoolers now,

But they’ll always be our babies.

Psalm 107:1; Matthew 19:14; Proverbs 1:8-9

PRAYER TO PRAY WITH CHILDREN

Dear God,

You are with me

At school,

Just like You are at home.

Help me be brave.

Help me have fun.

Help me remember

[Mommy/Daddy] always comes back.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.