20 Bible Verses for a Child Struggling in School

If you have a child who struggles in school, here are some Bible verses you can pray over them! 

Scripture isn’t meant to be an instant fix for our child’s circumstance, but what these school-related Bible verses do to help your child is threefold:

• Encourages them as they walk through struggles and difficulties
• Reminds them of God’s love and plan for their life
• Gives them truth to fall back on when they are confronted with falsehood

I’m covering five topics that seem to resonate most with my four children when they are having a tough time at school and the Bible verses you can use to encourage your own child!

Feel free to use your preferred translation to pray these verses over your children, I am using the ESV here in this post!

If you have young children, you may enjoy using the ICB as it words verses nicely and simply for preschoolers and Kindergarteners. 

1. Bible Verses for Encouragement at School

As summer draws to a close, sometimes our kids just need some encouragement to get excited about a new school year!

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19 (Encourage your child that God has wonderful plans for them for this school year!)

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10 

We can pray and ask for joy as we go forward into a new school year!

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:5 

This has always been one of my favorite verses. It shows us that when we pursue God and follow after Him, He shows us the deepest desire of our hearts and fulfills it according to His plans.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 

Each new day brings reasons to be thankful. Even if our child is struggling to be excited about the school day, pray over them that each day they will see a reason to be glad!

2. Bible Verses for School Motivation

Sometimes our children struggle with the motivation to do their homework or be excited about certain classes. This is true for my 10 year old. He loves being with his friends and going to recess, gym and lunch, but he really has a hard time being motivated to put his best efforts into grammar and math. 

It’s not that our children aren’t smart or capable, but its understandable when they don’t feel thrilled about doing timed math quizzes or writing reports about topics they don’t care about. 

Some Bible verses you can write down for them and pray with them about motivation in school are:

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

This scripture promotes the value of hard work.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 

A familiar verse for all circumstances that is easy to repeat to oneself.

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Psalm 128:2

This verse demonstrates how hard work pays off, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the moment!

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 

I love this verse for kids because it contains the promise that God will give them the motivation and strength they need – they don’t have to rely only on themselves!

3. Bible Verses for a Child Having Anxiety or Feeling School Stress

If circumstances are challenging, sometimes even the act of going to school in the morning can bring anxious thoughts to the surface. 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ Lamentations 3:22-24 

This is a great reminder that God can be trusted.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 

Peace is not found in worldly comforts but in Christ!

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:19 

What are some of these “consolations”? That God loves your child deeply, has a beautiful plan for their life, and can change their circumstance according to His will!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

When your child’s thoughts are racing, encourage them to ask God to fill them with the peace He promises.

4. Bible Verses for Friendships and Relationships at School

One of the toughest things about going to school can be friendship dynamics. This has definitely been true for my middle school daughter! I also struggled with friendships in school because when you put together lots of girls with lots of emotions, there can be some intense situations that happen! 

We can speak these verses over our children not only about friendships IN school, but that they’d develop friendships OUTSIDE of school as well. 

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

True friendships can be found with those who will walk with us through good and bad times. It may take a while to find these kinds of friends, but your prayers can help direct your child to seek out those types of relationships.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 

Forgiveness can be TOUGH, especially when a friend has wronged your child. Talk to them about letting go of hurts, having good conversations when hard times come, and trusting in God to give them healthy friendships. If your child is in middle school or high school, to know when it may be best to let a friendship go.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Try to help your children, whatever age, think of ways they can encourage their school friends! Sometimes, if my kids are struggling with friendships, it helps them to find ways to put others first!

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 

This verse might seem to sting a bit. How does this help your child struggling in school? This verse really helps put in your child’s mind the need for discernment when they’re making friends. It teaches them that it’s important to seek out friendships that will be encouraging them toward positive actions and behaviors, which can really relieve some of the struggles your child may be having.

We found this to be very true with our youngest who is in first grade! The ICB version of this verse says “Whoever spends time with wise people will become wise.” I love that!

5. Bible Verses for Learning Struggles

If your child has difficulty learning in school, whether it be due to dyslexia, difficulty concentrating or perhaps they are not sleeping or eating well, you can feel very helpless as a parent! My oldest child (who is 15) is a great student, but he puts a lot of pressure on himself and doesn’t sleep well before big papers or tests are due. 

It is very important to reach out to your school counselors, teachers or your child’s physician for help in these situations. As you help your child work through their individual struggle, here are some Bible verses that can remind them of God’s care!

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

I love this verse because it reminds my children that God can give them a peace that is not found in their circumstance or situation, but in resting in His grace.

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:3-5

What a powerful verse that demonstrates God’s ability to protect us and guard us against discouragement and sleeplessness. I actually came across these verses just a short time ago, and although I’m sure I’ve read them before, they are taking on new meaning right now for my children!

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

This is a verse that is easy to memorize. Encourage your kids to read it and learn it and then pray it over them too!

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

A well-known and powerful Bible verse about God fighting our battles for us and giving us strength to handle challenges. 

Reading Bible verses with your child when they’re struggling in school brings comfort and reassurance.

Memorizing these Scriptures allows truth to settle in their hearts when life is feeling tumultuous. 

Praying these Bible verses over your kids if they’re having a tough time is a perfect way for the Holy Spirit, through your prayers, to be present in a powerful way during their day!