We believe prayer is powerful and that turning to God in prayer ought to be our first instinct always. In the big decision, though, it can be so hard to know just what to pray.

This prayer guide is meant to be used along the way as you journey with your student through their college decision. We pray it helps to lead you in opening up your heart to God in the range of emotions joy, fear and uncertainty that the college decision can bring.

As you pray for your student, know we are praying with you, trusting that God is faithful to guide us and provide us with all that we need.


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A prayer for my student when


theyre exploring colleges.

Father, help me to be a parent to my child like you are a Father to me. Give me your wisdom, your patience, your compassion, your love, and your desire to listen to your children. Show me how to love and lead like you. Father, I pray that you would give my child guidance as they explore colleges. Lead us in this new journey like you always have in the past.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105




they receive an acceptance.

Lord, thank you for the blessing of this acceptance. Thank you for the way you have gifted my student and created them uniquely. I praise you for your goodness and your faithfulness.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2




they receive a rejection.

Father, we are so disappointed. I pray that you would draw near to my student in their hurt. Even in this, Lord, we still choose to praise you, trusting that your ways are better than ours.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18




finances are tight.

Lord, college is a major financial investment. I pray that you would provide for my student financially and that you would open our eyes to see how you meet our needs financially and in all ways.

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26




we go on a college visit.

Lord be with us today. Be with us as we tour campus. Be in our conversations with students, professors and staff. Put the right people in our path. I pray that you would bring to mind the right questions and bless us with discernment. Go before us, Lord.

And [the LORD] said, My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. And [Moses] said to him, If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:14-15




they feel paralyzed by a decision.

Father, I pray that you would provide truth-tellers in my students life me and others who would speak wisdom into this decision with deep care. I pray that my student would seek you first as they make this decision, knowing that, in seeking you first, the rest will follow.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" Matthew 6:33




they are burnt out.

Lord, give my student rest that only you can provide. Restore them with yourself as they feel burnt out, discouraged and unsure. I pray that you would grant them joy and peace in this season.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31




I have lost my patience with them.

Father, thank you again for entrusting my child into my care. They are a gift from you, and I am humbled that you have tasked me with leading them and walking alongside them on this earth. Forgive me for when I lose my patience, and give me compassion for them as I walk alongside them.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10




they are choosing a major.

Lord, help my student choose a major that will sharpen the gifts you have given them so that they can be used for your glory. You have richly blessed them; we have seen this throughout their lives. I pray that you would give them clarity as they choose a path forward and that you would use their studies for your honor and glory. Give them your wisdom as they decide.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5




Im worried they wont make friends.

Lord, I pray that you would prepare deep friendships and meaningful community for my student during their college journey, wherever they choose to go. I pray that these relationships would be like iron sharpening iron, molding my student into the person you have created them to be. I pray that you would make my student into a good friend for others one who loves sacrificially and puts the interests of others above their own.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3





Im worried they wont be ready.

Father, I know that you provide exactly what we need in each season. I pray that you would make my student ready for college. Prepare them in every way and give them the maturity and wisdom they need to make this life transition. And Lord, I pray that you would prepare my heart for this change as well. Guide me as I guide my student and make me ready for this next season in our lives.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:15-16





Im worried theyll abandon their faith.

Father, guide my child in their university journey. Give them friends and mentors who will help to lead them on the path of righteousness. I pray that they will be captivated by your love for them and that their heart will yearn for your ways. Keep them in your care, Lord.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4





I fear theyll make the wrong choice.

Lord, there are times when I feel out of control. Help me to see that you are in control and I am not. Remind me that you work all things out for the good of those who love you. Please be with my student in their choice and work in it for their good.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28




they make their decision.

Father, we commit this decision into your hands. We are so full of joy and wait with hopeful expectation for the future. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to my student and to me.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23