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It is estimated that around 66% of students raised in the church will walk away from their faith completely during their time at college. While that can be a scary statistic for parents, it doesn’t have to be true of your child. One of the most powerful ways you can support your child is prayer. James 5:16 says “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

God is at work through your prayers as a parent, and as you pray we are partnering with your student to introduce them to the life-changing power of the Gospel. At Grace, your son or daughter has every opportunity to not only remain in the church but to grow in their faith through our chapel, growth groups, and First-Year Experience, as well as by attending the churches nearby in the community.

Michael and Michelle Riggins are just one example of parents who took prayer very seriously as their daughters grew up. “Our goal was for the girls to value prayer in their own lives, and so we wanted to model that to them from the beginning,” Michael said. When both girls went away, prayer for college became an even greater priority. “We had been praying for them since they were little, and so it became about praying for them exactly where they were at,” Michelle remarked. There was a long list of prayers the Riggins’ prayed over their children in college, believing that God works in all areas of their lives. Here were some of the categories they focused on in their prayers and bible verses for college students:

1. Prayer for College Student’s Relationship with God

Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing (Psalm 34:9).

College is a busy time, and it can be hard for students to find time to read the Bible and pray intentionally. Parents need to be praying that their student will recognize how important it is to keep this relationship, the most important in their life, alive and flourishing.

Here are a few specific ways you can pray for their relationship with God, that they will:

• Seek Him with their whole heart
• Listen to the Holy Spirit
• Preference His leading over all else
• Have a healthy fear of God and his opinion of sin
• Honor God with their lives
• Represent him well
• Make time to study the Bible and pray

2. Prayer for College Students Relationships with Others

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity (Proverbs 17:17).

Your student will meet a lot of new friends and acquaintances during college. Having solid, positive, and God-honoring relationships is vital to succeeding in college. Your student might also meet people they will date and potentially marry down the road. Having integrity in these relationships and clarity from God on certain relationships are important. Here are some prayers you can pray to this end:

• Have fun with others
• Love and serve their neighbor
• Maintain purity and integrity while dating
• Build genuine, lasting friendships
• Have wisdom to choose to surround themselves with godly people
• Spiritual accountability from a friend or mentor
• Discipleship through small groups

3. Prayer for College Students Health and Safety

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones (Proverbs 3:7-8).

Going to college adds an extra level of responsibility for your student to take care of themselves. They’ll need to know how to eat, sleep, and participate in campus activities in a way that honors God and allows them to put their best foot forward. You can pray that they:

• Have wisdom about what they eat >
• Prioritize sleep
• Protect their goings and comings
• Have guidance on where to be and not to be
• Put on the armor of God and flee from temptation
• Spend money wisely

4. Prayer for College Students Academics

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you (Proverbs 2:10-11).

Your student will encounter a whole new vista of knowledge in their classes and discover exactly what it is they are most passionate about. Praying for academic success and enjoyment is important because this is the core reason why they are at college.

• Wisdom for time management
• Enjoy learning
• Work well with other people in group settings
• Apply themselves to do their best work
• Clarity about their degree and calling
• Understanding of subjects that are difficult for them
• Integrity to create original work and not cheat

5. Prayer for �������� as a Whole

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

As a parent, you want to trust that the school your student attends is a safe and positive environment. Not to mention, that those who work and lead at the institution are making wise decisions that honor the Lord and serve students well. Here are a few ways you can pray for those who are impacting your student day in and day out:

• God will place a hedge of protection around the campus
• Holy Spirit will guide the leadership, staff, and professors
• Leadership will submit to God and maintain integrity
• The staff/ professors will maintain health, energy, and dedication
• Legislation impacting higher education will be positive for our Christian institution

6. Prayer for College Student’s Future and Calling

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Going to college is the start of your child’s future and can be a very stressful time for everyone. Praying for your child as they navigate their classes, internships, future jobs, relationships, and any future endeavors as they get older. Here are some ways to pray for your child as they think about their future and what their calling looks like:

• God will provide clarity for their calling
• God would open and close the necessary doors
• They would have good mentors, professors, and advisors
• God will protect them from fear, anxiety, and doubt
• God will open doors for internships and hands-on experience
• God will build their professional reputation through helping them have a good work eithic

7. How to Make Prayer for College Students a Daily Habit

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Keeping track of your prayers via a notebook, journal, or the notes app on your phone is an important and a great way to create a good habit of prayer. When you start your day or before you go to bed you will have daily prayers and a practical way to track how God is working in your family’s life. Here are some other ways to create routines to pray for your child:

• Praying when you think of them
• Starting and ending your day with prayer
• Find a small group that prays for each other
• Incorporate prayer into part of your daily routine like your commute to work or while you wash the dishes.
• Celebrate your answered prayers and ways God blesses your child

�������� Partners With You In Prayer for Your Student

Parents tell us one of the biggest reasons they love Grace is the peace of mind that comes from sending their child to a truly Christ-centered college. When you visit campus, you can see why: we have a faculty that prays for students, engaging chapel sessions, and a community that encourages your children to grow into what they were called to be. Professors start classes and lectures with prayer and often pray for students by name. The leadership at Grace prayerfully considers how to impact your student and partner with them to step into God’s calling for their lives. We are in this with you!

If you are still in the process of selecting a school,, we would love to show you what it looks like here. Schedule a or today.

Finally, we encourage you to keep track of your prayers and log the ways God answers them! This is a great way to be encouraged and strengthened in your faith as you partner with God in parenting your child.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12) 

At ��������, we value having parents involved in our community. For more advice, read College Tips for Parents, from Parents. You can also learn more about campus life, involvement opportunities, and the admissions process on our Parent Page.��