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BacktoSchool Challenge

Prayer Focus for Today

General Prayers

Academic Success, Friendships & Associations, Preservation & Protection, Provision, etc.

Day 3

Fri. August 21st, 2026

#backtoschool #prayerChallenge #fastingChallenge #fastPrayJournal #weBelieve #inJesusName

Mountain View

Lean on the Holy Spirit

As you follow this guide, pray the prayers that come to your heart also. Rely on the Holy Spirit as you pray. He is right there with you.

06:00 AM

Prayer of Thanks & Longing for God

Sing the hymn, then pray the prayers

Hymn

Verse 1

O Lord my God When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed!

Chorus
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Verse 2
When thru the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze

​

Verse 3
And when I think, That God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, My burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died, to take away my sin!

​

Verse 4
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow. In humble adoration
And there proclaim, My God, how great Thou art!

PRAY

  1. Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your name be praised!
    Your name be exalted, Your name be magnified, Your name be glorified, Your name be lifted up. 
    You are great and greatly to be praised.
    Oh we bless you O Lord.
    There is none like unto thee o God of the heavens and the earth.
    Thou alone are worthy of all praise.
    We thank you this day. We bless you this day.

  2. “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch” (Psalm 5:3).
    Father I thank you for hearing me always. My heart yearns for you in the morning, before the distractions of a busy day looms.

  3. I ask dear Lord, that my children will call upon you in the mornings. Teach their hearts to cry to you. Teach them to watch and wait. 
    May their mornings be filled with a fresh anticipation of your voice with promises of your mercies new as the morning.

  4. “Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; His appearing is as sure as the dawn” (Hosea 6:3)
    Father, as a new day rises, remind my children that you o God, are as certain as the rising sun. You do not change like shifting shadows. May they arise with confidence in you every day. May they be assured of your presence every day.

  5. O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirst for you as in a dry and weary land where there is no water (Psalm 63:1)
    Father I ask that my children will seek comfort, and reassurance in you and not in people or material possessions. May the thirsting of their souls be for you. May the longing of their hearts be for you.
    I ask Lord that you be their fountain of living water where they constantly come to drink from.

  6. “Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust” (Psalm 143:8). 
    Father, I thank you for your steadfast love towards my children. Help them to trust you with all their hearts. May they know your unfailing and unwavering love. May they be fully persuaded that nothing can separate them from the love of Christ.

Want a PDF Version of Day 3 Prayer Guide?

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Worship While You Pray & Fast

We put together a playlist of worship songs to help you worship, reflect, and stay focused on Jesus throughout the challenge.

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Journal Your Experience

This is not just about prayer points, its an invitation to encounter Jesus Christ. 

Young mixed race man and woman, kneeling down to pray by bedside. Man is writing in a jour

As you pray, the Holy Spirit may nudge your heart with a thought, a bible verse, or an impression. Write it down, even if unsure.

9:00 AM

The Lord's Prayer 

Matthew 6:9-13

  1. Father, I pray that my children will know you as their loving Father in heaven. Help them remember that you are close, that you listen, and that you care about every part of their lives. I pray that they will learn to respect and honor your Name. Help them speak about you with love and reverence and help them live in a way that shows others how good you are.”

  2. I pray that your kingdom will come in their hearts and in our home. Teach them to love kindness, justice, and truth, and cause them to bring your light into their school, friendships, and daily life. I thank you that your kingdom is within them (Luke 17:21)

  3. I pray Lord that your will and purpose be established in my children. I pray that they will want your will more than their own, and your wisdom over theirs. I pray that they will seek your wisdom over the wisdom of man, being fully aware that your foolishness is wiser than the wisdom of man. (1Corinth1:25)

  4. Remind them that you are their wisdom, and that you give wisdom generously to all. Help them choose what is right, even when it is hard, and show them that obeying you is the safest and best way to live. Remind them Lord that the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter until full day (Proverbs 4:18). I declare that that are guided by you and their today continues to be better than their yesterday.

  5. O father I thank you that you know the needs of my children. I pray Lord, that you provide for them each day, their daily bread, spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I pray that they will see you as the one who provides for their needs. Teach them to trust you for food, shelter, and everything they need, and to be thankful for every good gift you give. Help them to remember that you who gave your only son for them will also freely give them all things that pertain to life and godliness. (Rom. 8:32; 2 Pet. 1:3) 

  6. Help my children to understand the principle of sowing and reaping, help them recognize that you give seed to the Sower, and bread to the Eater (2 Corinth 9:10).

  7. I pray lord that my children will sow the right seeds in the morning, that in the evening, they will keep busy. (Eccl 11:6) Bless their hands Lord, that everything they do may prosper. May they NOT eat the bread of idleness. May they be disciplined to invest their time wisely. Give them strength to turn away from things that don’t profit. May they exercise themselves in godliness each day.

  8. I pray that your kingdom will come in their hearts and in our home. Teach them to love kindness, justice, and truth, and cause them to bring your light into their school, friendships, and daily life. I thank you that your kingdom is within them. (Luke 17:21)

  9. Father, I ask that you forgive them their sins and teach them to forgive quickly. Help them to know that you are willing to forgive their wrong. Help them approach your throne boldly to find grace and mercy.
    (Heb 4:16)

  10. Lord, I ask that they do not withhold forgiveness from others. May they run to you always for help so that bitterness does not grow in their hearts. (Heb12:15)

  11. Father, I ask that You lead my children not into temptation, but that You deliver them from the evil one. I pray that You will guide their steps away from temptation. When they feel like lying, cheating, being unkind, or giving in to peer pressure, give them strength to say ‘no’ and courage to do what pleases You.

  12. I pray that You protect my children from evil, both seen and unseen. Guard their minds, their hearts, their friendships, and their choices. Keep them safe from harm and rescue them quickly when they stray into dangerous paths. Keep them away from the shiny path that leads to death. (Prov. 14:12)

  13. Grant my children a discerning spirit, to differentiate right from wrong, and right from almost right. I pray that they be not conformed to this world but rather are transformed by the renewing of their minds (Rom. 12:2). I pray that they will walk in Your good, pleasing, and perfect will.

  14. I declare over my children - Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. I pray that they will grow up knowing that you are King, that you are powerful, and that you deserve all the glory. Help them remember that their lives belong to you, and teach them to worship you with joy, now and for all their days.

  15. I thank you lord that my children arise and shine; their light has come, and your glory O Lord is risen upon them! (Isaiah 60:1-22).
    The Gentiles shall come to their light, and kings to the brightness of their rising. You O Lord will be to them an everlasting light, and you God shall be their glory. Their sun shall no longer go down, nor shall their moon withdraw itself; for you O Lord will be their everlasting light.

  16. My children shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever. My children are the planting of the Lord and you o Lord are glorified in them.

12:00 PM

Prayer of Purpose

  1. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalm 51:10 - 13)
    Father we ask that this will be the heart posture of my children - to have a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. May your presence never leave them Lord, and may they always seek your presence as their greatest need. May they be fully aware of their purpose in you - to teach transgressors your way and to convert sinners to you. May they live lives that fully glorify you. May their light so shine for all men and may all the glory be given to you Lord.

  2. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16)
    Father, I thank You that You have chosen my children to bring forth fruit. Lord, I ask that they live with this awareness as fruit bearers. I pray that they are seeking to bear godly fruits always.

  3. Lord, I pray Your showers of blessings over my children. Cause Your showers to come down in their season over them. May the trees of the field yield their fruit unto them and the earth her increase upon them. Blessed shall they be when they go out and come in. They walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. They delight in Your law, and they meditate therein day and night.

  4. Lord, I declare that my children do not seek counsel from ungodly men, resources, or media. I ask that their delight be Your Word and that Your Word satisfies them daily. I pray that they be planted in Your house, among godly people who seek You genuinely.
    Thank You, Lord, that their fruit will be evident for all to see.

  5. ”The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,”  (Isaiah 61:1-2)
    Father I ask that my children live every day in the awareness of your spirit and anointing over their lives. May they know that they are not poor but rather have been anointed to preach good tidings to the poor. May they know that they are sent to heal the broken-hearted.

  6. May they know that they are not captive but rather called to proclaim liberty to the captives. I declare that my children are not bound but rather take their place as prison openers to those who are bound; I pray Lord that their mouths are full with declarations of your favour and your vengeance upon the works of the enemy. May they bring your comfort everywhere they go. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

  7. “But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God. . .” (Isaiah 61:6-11)
    Father I ask that my children may know that they are priests of the Lord and servants of the most high God. I thank you for directing their work in truth. I declare that they shall eat the riches of the gentiles, and your glory shall be their boast. Instead of shame, they shall have double Honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice. In their land they shall possess double, and everlasting joy shall be theirs. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.

  8. Father I reject every name that has been spoken over my children that is not consistent with your word and your plan for them.  I declare every handwriting of ordinance be blotted out. Everything in my bloodline that speaks against them and their purpose in Christ be wiped out by the blood of Jesus. I declare the name of Jesus over them. They shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name. 

  9. My children shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of God. They shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Sick, Desolate, Ruined, Anxious, Depressed, Incapable; But they shall be called the restored ones. They are deeply and affectionately loved by the Lord! (Isaiah‬ 62‬:1‬-4‬)

  10. Father, I declare that my children are established in righteousness; they shall be far from oppression, and no terror shall come near them. Whoever assembles against them shall fall for their sake. “No weapon formed against them shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against them in judgment they shall condemn. We thank you Lord that this is the heritage of my children, and their righteousness is from you Lord (Isaiah‬ 54‬:12‬-17). 

  11. I declare that my children are overcomers. (1John 4:4)
    They overcome by the blood of the lamb and the words of their testimonies. (Rev.12:11) 
    I pray that they speak life always, and not death. I pray that they will not speak words that ensnare them, but rather their words will propel them towards your plan and purpose for their lives
    in Jesus Name! 

03:00 PM

Prayer for Mercy & Trust

  1. “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.” (Psalm 102:13)
    Arise o Lord on behalf of my children. Father, I ask for your mercy and favor over my children. May they not miss their set time of favor. 

  2. I ask Lord that you answer my children when they call upon you. Cause them to seek your face o Lord. Do not hide Your face from them dear Lord. Do not turn them away in anger; You are their help; Do not leave them nor forsake them, O God of our salvation. I thank you lord that you will take care of them when everyone forsakes them (Psalm 27‬‬‬‬‬)

  3. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8)
    “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.” 
    (Psalm 103:13)
    Father, I thank You for Your unfailing mercy and grace, and for the patience and compassion You continually show toward me and my children.

  4. Help my children to fear your name, that they may enjoy your mercies forever. Help them lord to run to you always. May they always remember that nothing can separate them from your love.

  5. “This I recall to my mind; Therefore, I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
    Father Lord, I pray this revelation for my children; that they know that it is by your grace that they are everything they are and that it is by your mercies that they are not consumed. I pray that they know that their sufficiency is of God. Thank you that your grace is sufficient for them and your strength is made perfect in their weaknesses. 
    I pray lord that my children reign in life through Christ as they receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness (Romans‬ 5‬:17‬). 

  6. “Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:14-15)
    “Do not forsake them O Lord; O my God, be not far from them! Make haste to help them O Lord, my salvation!” (Psalm 38:21-22)
    Father I ask that you deliver my children and help them. I thank you Lord that you hear them as they call upon you. Deliver them, and glorify your name in them. Lord, please do not hold your peace over my children. Do not rest Lord Until their righteousness goes forth as brightness, and their salvation as a lamp that burns. May men see their righteousness, and kings their glory.

  7. Dear Lord I ask that you will help my children to have a confident trust in you. I thank you father because you are good to those who wait for you, to the soul who seeks you. May my children hope and wait quietly for your salvation O Lord!
    May this be the song upon their hearts and mouths:

    • The Lord is my portion, Therefore I hope in Him!”

    • “Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. The Lord is my strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.”
      (Psalms‬ 28‬:6‬-8‬‬‬‬‬‬)

  8. Father I pray that my children will trust in you with all their hearts, leaning not on their own understanding, but acknowledging you in all their ways (Prov 4:6).
    May they put their trust in the shadow of your wings Lord. 

  9. May they be abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light may they see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to my children, and teach them to be upright in heart.

  10. Let not the foot of pride come against them for you o lord resists the proud, but your grace is abundant for the humble. And let not the wicked have the upper hand against them. 

  11. I declare lord that my children are safe in their land. Break the bands of their yoke Lord, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. I thank you that my children are your flock, and you are their God.

The Blessing

Elevation Worship, with with Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes

YouTube
YouTube

06:00 PM

Prayers from Psalm 23

Psalm 23 (NASB 1995)

  1. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

  2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
    He leads me beside quiet waters.

  3. He restores my soul;
    He guides me in the paths of righteousness
    For His name’s sake.

  4. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I fear no evil, for You are with me;
    Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

  5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
    You have anointed my head with oil;
    My cup overflows.

  6. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Prayers

  1. Lord, I thank you for my children, and I praise you that you are their shepherd. Father I pray that my children are awakened to your shepherd-hood over their lives. I pray that they will know you as the One who cares for them, provides for them, and guides them, so that they do NOT live in fear of not having enough. I thank you for making every provision for them in spirit, soul, and body.

  2. I declare that lack is not their portion, for you O Lord supplies all their needs according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philip 4:19)
    Thank you for giving unto them all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

  3. Lord, I thank you for my children. Thank you for leading them to good pasture. I pray that you give them true rest; physical, emotional, and spiritual. Lead them away from worry and hurry, into “green pastures” of safety and “still waters” of peace. I pray that they’ll come to you to seek rest. (Matthew 11:28)

  4. I pray that you will keep them in perfect peace and their minds steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3). Thank you, father, that they will be taught of you, and great will be their peace (Isaiah 54:13).

  5. Thank you, Lord, for restoring my children daily. Thank you for refreshing their minds daily. Thank you for strengthening their spirits daily. I pray that you restore their souls when they are tired, hurt, or confused. Lead them in paths of righteousness.

  6. Father, I ask that you teach them to love what is right and good, so that their lives bring honor to your name.

  7. You will show them the path of life. In your presence, they find fullness of joy and at your right hand, they enjoy pleasures forevermore. 
    (Psalms‬ 16‬:11)
    Thank you for instructing them in the way they should go. Thank you for guiding and counselling them with your loving eye.
    (Psalms‬ 27‬:1‬-14)

  8. I ask Lord that your word will be a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path. I ask Lord that they will hear your voice behind them, saying “this is the way, walk in it”. I thank you lord that they do not walk in darkness, for your light shines upon their ways. Thank you, Lord, that you arm them with strength make their way perfect.
    (Psalm18:32)

  9. Father, I pray that my children live each day, assured of your presence and confident that you are with them. I pray that when they walk through dark or frightening times, they will not be overwhelmed by fear.

  10. Let them know deep in their hearts that you are with them. Use your rod to protect them from harm and your staff to gently guide and correct them, so they are comforted rather than afraid. Help them Lord to trust you when they are afraid.
    (Psalm 56:3)

  11. Help them remember that you O Lord are their God and you will be with them wherever they go.”
    (Joshua 1:9)

  12. Lord, I thank you that I can always trust You to prepare a table before my children.

  13. I pray that they would only partake of the table you’ve set before them. I pray that they would not partake of the king’s table, thereby conforming to this world. 

  14. I pray that even when they face opposition, pressure, or people who do not wish them well, you will spread a table of blessing before them. I thank you for anointing their head with oil, setting them apart for your purposes.

  15. Please fill them with your Spirit and cause their cup to overflow with grace, courage, wisdom, and love.

  16. Father, I am thankful that your goodness and mercy will pursue my children every day of their lives. May this be their daily confession and reality. 

  17. Above all, may they dwell in your house forever, secure in your salvation and your unending love.

  18. I pray that the one thing they desire will be to seek you, to dwell in your house all the days of their lives, to behold your beauty, and to inquire in your temple.

  19. I thank you lord that in the time of trouble, you shall hide them in your pavilion; in the secret place of your tabernacle shall you hide them. 

  20. Lord, I pray that You shall set my children high upon a rock. May their heads be lifted above every enemy that rises against them. O Lord, I declare that my children will not offer sacrifices to any other gods. Only to You will they offer sacrifices of joy. With their voices, they will sing praises to You, O Lord.

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