A Prayer for VBS

Erika Dizney
Jun 25
3 min read

Tis the season where churches and communities are running Vacation Bible Schools across the country. Anyone who has spent any time with me knows how much I love Vacation Bible School. I grew up in it and it is where I met my husband, but also where I learned to serve in kids ministry.

I am passionate about VBS for so many reasons. I think it is a great way to spark kids creativity and connect them with the truth of the gospel in a meaningful ways. I think it can be a beautiful picture of discipleship amongst both the students and the leaders. I also think that it has such a large impact for the kingdom of heaven. Did you know that 80-85% of believers come to Christ between the ages of 4-14? This is why not only is VBS an important outreach, but also kids ministry and raising our kids in the truth of Christ in our homes.

However, having served at VBS or a Christian camp basically every summer of my life, I know that it isn't easy. You have to sacrifice your time, energy, sometimes finances, and at times health in order to love on the kids God places in our care. Programs like VBS are founded on prayer, I've been apart of programs that have a dedicated prayer team that covers the week in prayer. No matter where you find yourself whether you are dropping off kids, helping leaders, supporting the team, or being a prayer warrior your role in VBS matters. I also know that the enemy will try lots of tactics to stop the meaningful, life changing conversations that can happen during these weeks, but GOD IS SOVEREIGN!

So know that I am praying for you! Below is a prayer I have written for VBS, feel free to take as a prayer you pray over your week, share it with a friend you are serving with or use it to pray for a church you know who is going through VBS. No matter how you use it I pray it blesses you and your community. I can't wait to see and hear the stories of how God uses VBS this summer to bring hearts to Him.

Lord,

I lift up this week to you! May you be glorified through all the songs, stories, crafts, games and conversations that are going to take place here this week. May you be working in the hearts of kids, students, volunteers and families. Bring the exact leaders, families and students that you want here in this space. Shift my focus from the quantity we reach to the quality of conversations I have with kids.

I know that there will be celebration of seeds planted and growth of seeds planted long before. With each question about you may we be present and seeking your guidance in answers. Give me wisdom and support from my co-leaders when I am asked questions I don't have answers for. Thank you for the curious thoughts and hearts who desire to know more about who you are.

As the days go fill us with your energy, your strength and health to be fully there for the kids entrusted in our care. Keep our minds free from the lies of the enemy that seek to disqualify us and sabotage our desire to serve you well. Help me to remove selfish motives and be focused on loving those around me. When grumpiness sneaks into my heart, may it be replaced with kindness and grace.

Thank you for the opportunity to be apart of your Kingdom work this week. Open my eyes to what you have for us and remove any of my expectations that don't align with your will. Broaden my perspective from this week to where you would have me continue to partner in discipleship to build the body of Christ. Thank you for the kids that came this week, I am so grateful for how each one is uniquely and wonderfully made by you.

Amen!