Prayer
Prayer is a central part of our Christian distinctiveness at St May and All Saints CE Primary School. Children are taught about what prayer is and given opportunities each day to engage in collective prayer, reflection and silent prayer and their own personal prayer if they choose to. Children often choose to pause and offer a prayer in their class reflection areas or our designated school prayer room.
Reflection Spaces
All classrooms have Reflection spaces. They include copies of our school vision and values together with shared prayers and a godly play box linked to the bible verse our vision is based upon, The Good Shepherd.’ All children are encouraged to use this space creatively and to add things to the space.
Our Prayer Room
This term Revd. Jo, together with some staff, have worked on improving the prayer room. We wanted to improve the space so that children and adults of all faiths feel welcome to use it.
It is available to use solely for prayer during break times and over lunch by children and staff alike. We also have an adults prayer group which is organised by parents. They regularly work closely with the principal to identify them for prayer and are keen to grow this group.
If you have any prayer requests please post them in the post box in the main entrance by the principal’s office. We will pray about all requests received.. If you wish your request to remain confidential, please make this clear. These requests will be passed directly to the vicar for her personal prayer.
Writing prayers
Prayers can be written for special occasions or just made up as you go. In school we invite children to and staff to join in prayer during collective worship and at specific time of the day. Our children write prayers for collective worship and for services.
So what is Prayer?
Talking to God about anything on your mind.
Why do Christians pray?
Christians believe God hears and answer prayers. God says: “Call to me and I will answer you” Jeremiah 33:3
Who can pray?
Anyone and at any time!
What can I pray for?
- We can thank God for good things.
- We can praise him for the great things he has done, the world he has created and anything else!
- We can say sorry when we get things wrong.
- We can talk to him about things that trouble us.
- We can ask God to help us or ask him for things we need.
Where can I pray?
Anywhere and at any time. You don’t need to be in worship or in church. You don’t need to close your eyes or put your hands together. Christians believe God hears us wherever we are and whenever we speak to him.
When you aren't sure what to pray
Here are a few simple prayers that you could use to pray for yourself, your friends or your family. Each is introduced with a verse from the Bible.
Saying sorry - Colossians 3:13 'Forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven you'
Dear Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the times that I get it wrong. Please help me to have the courage to get it right, to show compassion to others just like you did. Amen
Feeling lonely - Joshua 1:9 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God goes with you wherever you go.
Loving God, I feel lonely and a little lost. Please be close to me and send people to be close to me and take care of me. Amen
Feeling thankful - Psalm 86:12 'I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.'
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for everything you give to us. For our friends, our families, our food and our homes. Amen
Feeling sad or worried - 1 Peter 5:7 'Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you.'
Dear God, thank you know and understand everything, even when I feel frightened or sad. Help me to trust you because you love me and have promised to be with me always. Amen.
Feeling poorly - Isaiah 41:10 ' "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'
I feel poorly, Lord. Please help me to feel better soon. Help me not to be worried but to trust in you. Amen
At mealtimes - James 1:17 'Every good and perfect gift is from above'
Thank you Lord for all the good things you give us. Thank you for our food. Help us enjoy it! Amen
At bedtime - Psalm 121:5-6 'The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.'
Dear Lord, keep me safe while I sleep and help me have a good rest with happy dreams. Amen
Our School Prayers
Lunch time prayer.
Bless us oh God as we sit together.
Bless the food we eat today.
Bless the hands that make the food.
Bless us oh God.
Amen.
Home time prayer
God our Father I come to say thank you for your love today.
Thank you for my family and all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night and in the morning send your light.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.
Prayer Meeting
The St Mary’s and All Saints prayer meeting happens once or twice each half term. We meet as parents/carers and supporters of St Mary’s and All Saints and we pray. It’s a very informal time and anyone is welcome to join us. We meet for about 30-45 minutes, normally after morning drop-off, in the school prayer room. Come to the school office and they’ll direct you where to go. We care very much about the children in our school and we believe prayer is one of the best things we can do for them.
As a Christian prayer group for our school, we start with the leader reading a Bible verse which we reflect on. Our biggest prayer is for the children of St Mary and All Saints, but we pray too for the teachers, the governors, all school staff, and the homes and families the children come from. We pray for wisdom, good relationships, energy for the staff, calm and kindness amongst the children, events which are coming up in the school, and things going on in the world around us. We make a point of praying for any particular needs we know of in the school and for the children to look to God and know their value in his eyes. We share about challenges in our lives and thank God for things he’s done for us in answer to prayer. We have sometimes met when there have been urgent prayer needs so we’re not rigid in just meeting at set times.
For more information, contact Jennie Muldoon (a year 4 and 2 parent) at [email protected] or via the school office.
Our next prayer time is Wednesday 27th November at 8:50am.