This is something I wrote up for our church to use this August for back to school 2020 during the pandemic. The explanation, prayer and ideas are below...
Blessing of the “Backpacks” during
the Pandemic
We are all
struggling to find ways to get our children and families more interactive in
worship – whether it be online, outdoor services/drive ins or in a few cases,
in person. It’s difficult during this
time. We are all experiencing it and
feel it. So I wanted to write a blessing
of the backpacks that would help the congregation – esp the kids – get involved. I didn’t want to make it long since it feels
like everyone’s attention spans are shorter these days (mine is), so if you
want to include a few sentences specific to your church/community, feel free to
do so. I don’t think it would be too much. If you are doing this online, have different
kids/youth read the “stanzas” and piece them together in a video. If you are doing it live (drive in/outdoor/in
person), then perhaps you can get different people to stand up where they are
(or in the microphone) to read the different parts.
Intro done by pastor/educator/leader: Every year, our church does a blessing of the
backpacks. This year, since times are so
different and our needs are various, we are going to have an interactive “Back
to school” prayer. I will read (or, the
children and youth and I will read…) a prayer and then we ask you to voice out
loud your needs or the needs of those around you – in your families, your
community or schools. Don’t be shy, say
them all out loud and at the same time – first names only. If you’re at home, we encourage you to say
them aloud as well. We want everyone to
be a part and feel a part of this prayer.
Let us pray…
Pastor/Educator/Leader: Heavenly God, we come to you this
school year with confusion, heavy hearts, frustration, and sadness. It isn’t what any of us expected nor wanted. But we know that in You, we have hope. And we know that You can turn our sorrows
into joy. So, with that in mind, we
bring to you our concerns, needs and petitions, knowing that you will hear us
and respond…
Kindergartner: God, we pray for children who are going to
school for the first time. Help them be brave,
be good listeners and help them learn a lot!
Person 1:
We lift up to you, God, all the children who will be going to school
online or who will be home schooled. We
pray that they feel loved and connected. We pray for motivation, so that they are able
to learn the material presented to them and we ask for your blessings upon them
while they struggle with limited social interaction opportunities…Hear our
prayer…(pause for names to be spoken aloud)
Person 2:
Lord, we pray for all the children who will be learning in person. We pray you watch over them and we ask that
you help them be responsible, good listeners and good learners. We know we are asking things of our children
that we have never asked before, help them be flexible and to adapt. Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be spoken
aloud)
Person 3:
We also pray for those children who will be learning in yet a different
way – online and in person. This new way
of learning we know will be confusing and difficult at first. Help these children have patience and help
them have compassion for themselves, their classmates and their teachers. Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be
spoken aloud)
Person 4: Counselor God, we want to name our
children and youth who have specific needs – physically, mentally, socially or
emotionally. This pandemic has been
especially hard on them and their families.
Every child is different but you know their needs and what is best for
them. Help these families make the right
decisions for their child and help these children overcome the hurdles that
have been placed in front of them. God,
with your help, these children and families can excel. Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be
spoken aloud)
Person 5:
God, please be with the parents at this time as they struggle to not
only be parents, but also teachers and counselors. We see them juggling multiple responsibilities
– including their children, their marriages and their jobs. We see them deliberating and weighing all the
options for their children and families.
They are having to make decisions they never thought they would have to
make. God, please give them guidance in their
decision making and peace of mind.
Person 6:
God, we also want to lift up our college students. These young adults that are ready to leave the
nest, to be on their own and to be independent.
This isn’t what they wanted, what they were expecting or what they
need. Please guide them through this
transition – whether it be online, at home, on campus or something in
between. Give them strength, give them an
open mind so they can learn and give them peace in whatever situation they find
themselves in. Help this obstacle strengthen
them and not overwhelm them. Hear our
prayer… (pause for names to be spoken aloud)
Person 7:
Lastly God, we want to pray for our teachers and administrators. Our teachers who are overwhelmed and our
administrators that are struggling with tough decisions. This is unfamiliar territory for them and
they are being asked to do things that they are not trained to do, not prepared
for and not equipped to handle. But with
your help, they will. We know they will
because of their love and dedication for our children and youth. God grant them wisdom. We also pray for patience…patience with the
children, parents, and their coworkers.
We ask that you give them peace of mind.
And we pray that when school starts and chaos ensues, that they will be
the voice of calm and reassurance that our children desperately need. Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be
spoken aloud).
Same leader from the opening: Thank
you God, these are our prayers and what is on our hearts and minds. We pray that your loving arms are wrapped
around everyone this school year, helping them feel loved and safe. Hear the names lifted up to you out loud and
in silence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.