Blessing of the Backpacks during the pandemic 2020

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.  Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be spoken aloud). 

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.