The college years are some of the most memorable and exciting years of your life! It truly is an honor and blessing to be able to expand your academic abilities, chase after your dreams and goals, and experience opportunities like never before! That said, the transition can also come with unexpected and emerging challenges. Navigating these years and experiencing the dynamic and diverse environment that a college campus’ brings is powerful and humbling.
So, let’s temper your thoughts and put your heart at ease today as you head back to school. Whether this is your first year and you are venturing far from home, or you are heading back for your final chapter and eagerly seeing the finish line. The good news is that God is in the details and orchestrating this beautiful season of your life. Just turn to Him and trust He will lead you on the right path and give you perseverance and discernment.
As a few wiser (and older) friends might say, some of the only ways they embraced and endured these precious years were to hold on to their faith and whisper up prayers on the whim. So, with that, I invite you to take a deep breath, pause, and pray.
Below are ten pocket prayers and verses to lift up when you feel anxious, overwhelmed, discouraged, or defeated. The pressures can easily mount up and take their toll, but I hope these go-to verses and prayers give you peace and a place to lean into God’s promises. You can print them out and place them around your dorm room or simply whisper them up when the time arises. May they draw you close to the Father and remind you that He has big plans for your life, and this part of the journey is merely the beginning!
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A Prayer for Your Walk with God
Lord,
You have called me to this school for a reason, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to grow academically. Allow me to grow spiritually as well, and help me walk in faith and obedience, committing to honor You with my thoughts, actions, and deeds. Etch Your Word in my heart and guide me when I veer off track. I ask in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
"For we live by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7
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A Prayer for Faithful Friendships
God,
My relationship with You is so valuable that I ask for a strong community in which I can grow and learn more about Your love, mercy, and grace. Bring forth faithful friends and a strong church body that will hold me accountable, while also being the kind of friend that encourages, extends support, and shows kindness. I am so very grateful that You give us such a special bond in fellowship. Thank you for Your kindness.
Amen.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
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A Prayer for Your Safety and Protection
Mighty Father,
I ask that Your hand of protection over my college campus. Guard the teachers, staff, and students as we all go about our everyday activities. Let no evil weapon be formed against us, and allow us to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Grant me the strength to stand firm in my convictions and not be bent to the lies and schemes of this fallen world. Thank you for Your fierce and loving protection.
Amen.
"I can do all this through him, who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13
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A Prayer for Academic Success
God of Wisdom,
I pray that You equip me with the knowledge and understanding I need to fulfill this year’s academic goals. Ignite the passions and gifts You have so graciously bestowed upon me, and grant me the ability to use them to honor You. Please forgive me when I fail and fall into tendencies that provoke insecurities, selfishness, and negative attitudes. Instruct me to persevere and keep going when I feel like giving up. I cling to Your goodness and faithfulness.
Amen.
"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." - Proverbs 1:5
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A Prayer for Wisdom and Discernment
Gracious God,
I desperately need you to show me the way. Guide my steps and light up my path. Give me the wisdom and discernment to chase after my heart’s pursuits and lean into my purpose. Open and close doors so I may see that Your will and way for me is always best. Provide ways for this season to build my character and supply me with what I need to grow in every aspect of my life.
Amen.
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." - Colossians 3:16
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A Prayer to Serve Others
Jesus,
I so badly want to follow Your example. Give me the heart to reach the needs of others, take it a step further, and extend kindness. Open my eyes to those on my campus who may not know You, and help me see them the way You do, as dearly loved. When the enemy wants to cause friction and stir up a division among the students, grant me the courage to initiate peace. I cry for Your mercy and to extend Your love and grace upon me and my school.
Amen.
"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
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A Prayer for Motivation
O God,
Thank you for the call You have laced upon my life. I long to pursue it with vigor and passion, but I sometimes slip into complacency. I know that every good and perfect gift comes from You, so I ask that You grant me the strength and motivation to carry out the tasks that lay before me today. Give me the courage to rebuke laziness and work with a heart that longs to please You. Thank you for your patience with me. I love you.
Amen.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." - Colossians 3:23
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A Prayer for Peace and Contentment
Lord,
I lift my life up to You and ask that I find my worth in You alone. Please help me remember that my fulfillment does not come from this world or the flashy treasures it brings. Because if I am honest, I fall into the temptation of wanting more, believing the lie that it will reward me with happiness. When I want to turn to social media or look to others for my self-assurance, please draw close and proclaim Your truth over me about my worth and the route to pure joy. Thank you for Your provision and faithfulness.
Amen.
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” - Hebrews 13:5
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A Prayer for Time Management
Father God,
I realize this is a crucial time in my life, and so I want to be efficient and mindful of how I utilize my time. Teach me to be intentional with my time and grant me the wisdom to focus on things that will give me the strength to make sound choices that will honor You. Increase my ability to focus on the task that is right in front of me and not become distracted by worldly temptations. I ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
"But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." - 1 Corinthians 14:40
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A Prayer for Spiritual Growth
Father,
Thank you for equipping me and seeing me through this season of my life. You are such a good Father. Continue to sharpen my abilities to grow and comprehend the subject matter for my major, but more importantly, continue to pursue my heart and grow my faith. Help me live out the fruits of the spirit, becoming a great witness to others. Allow me to be a light source of hope on my college campus. Thank you for leading and guiding my way.
Amen.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23
Wherever God takes you on this journey, remember that you are not walking it alone. God is going before you, He is walking beside you, and picking up the pieces behind you. Fear not, for God is charting the way. Let these prayers and verses be a reminder of His unconditional and unfailing love for you and to take heart, because with God all things are truly possible!
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” - Matthew 19:26
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Originally published Thursday, 15 August 2024.