“Get ready for school!” It has been many years since my mom had to wake me up and tell me to get ready for school. I still remember her voice, as if it was yesterday, yelling those words. It was usually because I was still in bed, playing with some toys, or doing almost anything else but getting ready for school.

This month, families begin preparing their children to go back to school. This includes clothes to buy, shoes to replace, backpacks and lunch boxes to be purchased, and school supplies to replenish. But most important of all (especially in my house) is getting back on a sleep schedule that adjusts the kids to the newer (and usually earlier) wake-up time.

There is a lot to be done and never enough time and money. In spite of this, may I add one more item to your To-Do list? Remember to pray for your children, their friends, teachers and administrators.

Pray your children will be safe, that they will adjust easily to new classes and situations. Pray that the friends they make will help encourage them to be their best and not influence them to do their worst. Pray they will learn and grow in maturity.

Pray for their teachers. Ask God to provide them with creativity, wisdom, patience and strength needed to meet the challenges of teaching in this day and age. Pray the classrooms will be warm and inviting, a good place for teachers to teach and children to learn. Pray for the administrators to have the leadership, wisdom and resources needed to promote a safe learning environment that we all desire for our kids.

The Bible says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16) You don’t have to be perfect to be considered “righteous.” Paul writes in Romans 4:5, “But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.” Our prayers matter. They can make a difference.

This month, along with all the purchases, preparations and changes in schedules, take the time to pray. I’m sure our children, teachers and school systems will appreciate our prayers, and they will benefit from them as well.