Do you feel the wind of change? I do. There's an undercurrent of excitement and nervousness at our house. We’re getting ready to go….BACK-TO-SCHOOL!!!

“Back to school” is when children are required to buckle down to a more disciplined routine—it’s a great time for parents to commit to more discipline, too. Did you know that a successful school year begins long before your child walks into that new classroom? We put so much emphasis on physical preparation such as shopping for new clothes, backpacks, and supplies; however, the most important things on the list for your child should be emotional and spiritual preparation. These are questions to consider now as well as periodically during the coming months:

• What do I want out of the school year for my child?
• What are my child's goals, in and out of the classroom?
• What are my objectives as a school parent?
• What is my prayer for my child during this school year?

Do you know how your child feels about the new year? Are there anxieties that need to be addressed? Be alert to your own feelings, too. Are you having a difficult time letting go? Letting go is one of the hardest aspects of parenting! However, we must continually work at letting our children become the people God intends for them to be. We have to give them the emotional permission to grow up. I often record my feelings in a journal, then I pray about them and let God handle the issues.

A family prayer and/or devotional reading each morning before everyone goes separate ways will draw you together as a family and help you focus on what matters most. It will give your children the ammunition they need to get through the day, and it will alleviate your worries.

Make it a point to pray for your child’s school and the staff there. We often feel there’s very little we can do to connect our faith with public schools. King David even asked, "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3). The answer is clear. We can unite and build a wall of prayer to protect our children and our schools. And it really can have a positive impact in the lives of students, teachers and administrators.

Involve your children in the prayers for their teachers as well. I can’t tell you how it makes me feel to know that I am being prayed for. I know I am a much better teacher because of those prayers! Write an encouraging note to your children’s teachers and let them know you’re praying for them and other teachers in the school. Ask them to share any needs or concerns. Work to keep the lines of communication open and continue to show your support throughout the year.

Whether your child is in elementary, middle, high school, or college each school year brings new opportunities and challenges. You, as the parent, are the crucial factor in a smooth transition from home to school. Yes, it’s important to become involved in some way to let your child know you support his/her education. Your child will take more interest in school and perform better. Research has proven that. Yet the most important action you can take as a Christian parent comes everyday at the front door or car door: sending your child to school on the wings of prayer.

I don't know what the coming school year holds, but I do know Who holds my children in the coming school year!