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ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

SCHOOL PRAYER BOOK

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Foreward

What is Prayer? Young children often give a very simple definition for prayer, namely that it is “talking to God’. While there is some truth in this definition it does not portray the complete picture. Prayer is a relationship between ourselves and God, as a result, it is not all our own work.

Christian prayer: • Encompasses God as the source and inspiration of all prayer • Requires an openness to a relationship with God • Involves being aware of the presence of God in everyday life • Develops through our faith and our experience of God • Is at the heart of the Christian tradition • Guides and forms our beliefs about God • Is centred on the person of Christ • Is revealed through the Scriptures • Is an essential component of Christian spirituality Christian prayer is for all people regardless of their age, race, sex, class and social status. Prayer takes place in a wide variety of ways — there is no single “right” way to pray. People prefer to pray in different ways according to their life experiences and their personality. God has called people to prayer throughout history, and will continue to call people to pray as long as humanity exists. Prayer needs to be learnt and developed through practice. Certain skills are required. Prayer engages the whole person. It is not just a cognitive exercise. Prayer requires effort and perseverance. It is not always easy to pray, but the Spirit comes to help us (Romans 2:26-27). Christian prayer is a response to a loving God and a great act of trust that God is able to hear and respond to our needs.

The role of prayer in our Catholic school Prayer is a key element in not just Religious Education, but the whole life of a Catholic school. Prayer permeates the boundaries of time and structures within the Catholic school as it is a fundamental element of Christian life. While we have set times for students to pray at the beginning of the day or other times, prayer cannot be neatly locked into a timetable. Prayer can occur as frequently in the school day as you so wish but should always take place at least once a day. The role of a Catholic school includes immersing students in an environment that teaches them to pray not just at the right time according to the clock, but in response to the need for prayer. Such moments could occur during times of sharing, when a student tells the class about a baby sister being born on the weekend, or when the class learns that a member of the school community is faced with a serious illness. The need for prayer can also arise when relationships are filled with tension perhaps when arguments and fights have broken out during the lunchtime break. This is an appropriate time for prayer, because there is a need for students to stop and become aware of the presence of God within them and who God is calling them to be. Prayers should also be adapted in response to news stories that pupils may be aware of and are talking about. Teachers could refer to the news story, and ask a pupil to compose a short prayer in response.

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As teachers we should try to:

Identify the opportunities that arise for prayer each day

Provide pupils with the opportunity to pray each day This will enable pupils to:

Recognise the need for prayer in their own lives

Understand that prayer is an essential part of daily life and the whole life of the Catholic school.

A prayer for teaching staff:

O Lord,

Grant me your strength, so I will have courage in every situation;

Grant me your love, so I will never give up on anybody;

Grant me your wisdom, so I will show others the path to success;

Grant me your mercy, so I will forgive those who have hurt me;

Grant me your peace, so I will find the best in everybody;

Grant me your hope, so I will never give up;

Grant me your joy, so I will be thankful for all my blessings;

And Grant me your grace, so you will always be at my side. Amen

Useful websites:

www.sacredspace.ie

www.catholic.org/prayers

www.ourcatholicprayers.com

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School Prayer

O God, Father, Son and Spirit, you are our example of love. Draw all of us closer to you and to one another. Help us to grow together, and to recognise each other’s gifts. May our school be a living sign of faith, following Jesus on the path of life, love and justice. Help us to open our hearts to the needs of all people, So that no-one will feel alone or unloved. Fill us with your Spirit, and help us to reach out to others, to share the gifts you have given to us, so that we make our school a real and caring community. We ask for the help of our patron St. Thomas More in all that we face today. AMEN

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Traditional Catholic Prayers

Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Glory be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the

earth.

Let us pray: O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy

Spirit,

Grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice

in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for those who have died

Eternal Rest

Eternal rest grant unto him/her/them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her/him/them. May his/her soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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Marian prayers

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness, and our Hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, Thine Eyes of Mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the Blessed Fruit of thy Womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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House Prayers

St Maximillian Kolbe

St. Maximilian, amidst the hate and lonely misery of Auschwitz, you brought love into the lives of fellow captives, and sowed the seeds of hope amidst despair. Help me to become more like yourself. To the hungry and oppressed, the naked and homeless, the scorned and hated, and the lonely and despairing, may I proclaim the power of Christ's love, which endures forever and ever.

Amen.

Mother Theresa- St Theresa of Calcutta 1910-1997

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. Today we pray that we can make a difference and touch the lives of others.

Amen

Blessed Oscar Romero- 1917-1980 Spirit of hope, work within us, just as you worked in Blessed Oscar Romero, so that we too may work for justice and spread the Good News, by living out the Gospel, in solidarity with those living in poverty. Amen.

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St Bernadette-1844-1879 Oh Jesus give me: The bread of humility The bread of obedience The bread of charity The bread of strength to break my will and mould it into yours The bread of patience to bear the sufferings my heart endures The bread of seeing you alone in all things and at all times Amen. Blessed Frederick Ozanam- 1813-1853 Lord, you made Blessed Frederic Ozanam a witness to the Gospel, full of wonder at the mystery of the Church. You inspired him to alleviate poverty and injustice and endowed him with untiring generosity in the service of all who were suffering. Lord, help us to take action where suffering is found. Amen

Lord may we reflect upon what our legacy may be when we leave this world and

recognize as St. Bede did, that we as individuals have an impact on the lives of

others, and can therefore affect their futures by what we do in the present.

Above all Lord, may we always live according to your will so that through our actions

others will know you.

St. Thomas More…Pray for us

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Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury,pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

St Teresa Of Avila Christ has no body on earth now but ours: no hands but ours, no feet but ours. Ours are the eyes

through which Christ‟s compassion

is to look upon the world. Ours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Ours are the hands with which he is to bless others now.

Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola – Prayer of dedication

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for reward save that of knowing I am doing Your Will.

Morning prayers

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Lord, may everything I do this day begin with your blessing and continue with your help. May everything I say this day begin with your love and continue with your grace. May everything I plan this day begin with your inspiration and continue with your peace. So that throughout my life all that I begin in you may by you be happily ended, all that I fail to do may by you be mercifully mended, and all that I seek through you may by you be lovingly attended. Amen.

Another morning offering....

Purpose

In this morning light The same questions fill my mind Like, what am I doing with my life? What do I really believe in? Is there a purpose for life? Lord I believe, help my unbelief. In this morning light I look for meaning. What is it I want out of life? What do I hope for? What can I achieve? What should I be doing with the days, the years that have been given to me? I want to be useful, I wanted to be needed, I want to love and be loved, Lord of the morning help me. Lord of the morning I find it so hard To see what things really matter, To see what is important in my life. There are so many distractions, so many demands, Responsibilities, worries – There is just so much to cope with. And I do worry Even though I know I am worrying about the wrong things.

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Lord of the morning, give me this day The wisdom to recognise what things are important, And what things are not. Show me what to do with the time and the talents you have given me. Give me faith, give me hope, Help me to trust in your guidance all the days of my life. Lord of the morning help me. Mother Teresa Let no one ever come to you without going away better and happier. Let there be

kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes.

Praying for the day ahead

Lord,

May all that we do this day,

from morning until night,

begin with your inspiration,

and continue with your powerful help.

May our work this day

be rooted in love and mercy,

that we might love you,

and love our neighbours,

as perfectly as you love us.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Everything I do

Lord, may everything I do this day begin with your blessing and continue with your

help.

May everything I say this day begin with your love and continue with your grace.

May everything I plan this day begin with your inspiration and continue with your

peace.

So that throughout my life all that I begin in you may by you be happily ended,

All that I fail to do may by you be mercifully mended,

And all that I seek through you, may, by you be lovingly attended.

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Wisdom, Talents, Service, Priorities Lord, you have enriched our lives in many ways. Give us this day the wisdom to recognise which things are important and which are not. Show us how best to use the time and talents you have given us. Help us to use all opportunities wisely that we may give in service to others the good

gifts we have received from you. AMEN

Treating People With Respect, Care And Understanding Lord, we ask for the power of your spirit in our school, so that adults and young people alike may always see the need to treat others generously, with respect and courtesy, and care and understanding. As you cured the people who were blind, lead us to focus on the positive rather than the negative, so that we may all bring out the best in one another. AMEN Reaching Our Potential Lord, may we all respond well to your invitation to live fully and make the best use of our skills and talents. Show us that rather than draw comparisons with others, each of us is called to look at our own potential. Inspire us all to be generous in praising others for the good use of their abilities – looking not so much at the degree of achievement – but at the efforts put in. AMEN A Student’s Prayer Teach me, Lord, how to learn wisely and well. Help me to master the subjects I need

to study and never give in to despair or boredom. Help me to remember how

fortunate I am to be able to study, to grow in knowledge. Give me wisdom that I may

treasure knowledge. May I use my opportunities gratefully, develop my talents

responsibly, and put my learning to the service of truth and justice. Make me to be

wise and strong, that I may learn from life itself, and never turn away from you.

AMEN

For Our School Community Father, we thank you for our school community, knowing that we can learn from each other and grow in faith. We pray for all involved in our school, that all of us may grow as the people you call us to be. AMEN

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Growing In Faith, Confidence And Respect For Others Father, enable our young people to live the vision that you have for each of them, and lead them to grow in confidence in who they are, and in the faith that you call each of them by name. Show them how to live in such a way that they respect others for who they are. Inspire them to be generous in praising other people, and in showing appreciation for

the efforts and achievements of others. AMEN

Serenity Prayer

God grant unto me

Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Love St Paul (First Letter To The Corinthians) Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other peoples sins but it delights in truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.

God be with me always

God be in my head, and my understanding; God be in my eyes, and my looking; God be in my mouth, and my speaking; God be in my heart, and in my thinking; God be at my end, and my departing.

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Prayers on the topic of forgiveness

I forgive myself for my failings, I am human and have made mistakes, I have not always been my best self, sometimes, I have acted with malice, may I see that my pettiness only hurts me, unkindness given, will just rot my own soul, may my spirit heal and may I do better today, open my heart to share the best of myself. Bless me, as I strive to make amends.

Act of contrition

'Oh My God, because you are so very good, I am so very sorry for having sinned against you and with the help of your grace, I will try not to sin again.'

Prayers for Exams and decision making

Lord, when times are hard, When I face difficult decisions When I feel most alone You are with me, In my friends, my teachers, my parents All the caring people I know, To help me see the right way To know your way. Help me to be there for other people too To have the strength to share their burdens To be the light in their darkness As they are the light in mine. Amen.

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A prayer before the exam

Loving Father, Source of all wisdom, help me to use my time and my intelligence wisely as I prepare for my exams.

Help me to dispose myself to listen to Your Holy Spirit, so that You, as my Loving Father, may place me in a state of prayer and lead me to understand that the supreme wisdom is knowing I am Your child.

Help me to remain serene so that my work may truly reflect this profound truth.

Mary, Mother of my spiritual life, guide me in the ways of your Son, so that my work may help to transform this world for His glory. Amen.

Father, You know that I am afraid, and I don’t know which way to turn. Please Lord, come

down and comfort me, and help me make the right decisions. Please Lord, help all

those who are going through the same experience as I am. Give them strength

through your Holy Spirit. Lord, I ask this in your name, AMEN

Please Lord, This decision could be a turning point in my life. Shine your light to show me the right

path to take. I know that you will show me the way. I know that you will always be

with me, loving me, and I trust you to show me the right path. AMEN

Lord God, We are making decisions every day. Important decisions can often tell you where

your life is going to lead. Help us to make the right decisions Lord, so that we may

follow you in the ways of your Son. AMEN

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Prayers for peace

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I

give to you”, look not upon our sins, but upon the faith of your Church, and grant her

that peace and unity which is according to your will; who lives and reigns for ever

and ever. Amen

Lord God, our Father, it is your will that justice and peace should embrace. We pray that we may discover the thirst for justice that brings peace in its train. We make this prayer with the Man of Justice and Peace, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be love on earth and let it begin in my heart. Let there be miracles on earth and let them begin with my faith. Let there be a future and let it begin with my action. Amen

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Prayer’s written by children

Dear Lord,

Please keep Pope Francis safe.

Please let him lead the Catholic Church wisely.

Do not give him too many burdens to carry and may he make the best choices.

Let him lead us and help us to follow the path of Jesus.

Let him be a good example for all Catholics and please let him enjoy his reign of Pope.

Amen.

Dharshine, St. Anne’s Primary School

Dear God,

Help us to follow in the footsteps of our new pope Francis and help the poor and

lonely. Amen.

Sophie, St. Anne’s Primary School

In this year of faith…

F is for the family you have provided me with.

A is for the aid we give to those in need.

I is for the ill people we look after.

T is for treating people the way we would like to be treated ourselves.

H is for the help we give to the many homeless people in our world. Amen.

Melissa, St. Anne’s Primary School

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Dear Lord,

When I need you, you are there. When I cry, you are there.

When I pray, you are there. Yes Lord, you are always there.

We pray that your kingdom will come

to free us from darkness and fear. We pray that your kingdom will come

to heal our brokenness.

Help us to respect each other. Help us to love each other as you have loved us.

Amen

Isobel, St. Gabriel’s Primary School

Dear Lord,

When I need you the most, you always listen to me. Show us what you do so that we can follow you.

Thank you for giving me the courage and giving me respect. Show me the way so that I can be more responsible.

Thank you for the light you have given us.

Amen

Priya, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Oh my Lord,

I love you and thank you, we all praise your glory,

and I respect you.

You help everyone in the world, even if they are poor, crippled or blind.

I thank you for my family and friends.

As well as me.

Let me forgive those who trespass against me.

Amen

Alex, St. Gabriel’s Primary School

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Lord Heavenly King,

You are with me everyday help me not to take things for granted.

Lord help people that need support, ill or going through hard times.

Lord I know you love us all.

Help us to learn and to be kind like you. May you be with us and love us.

Amen

Alice, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Oh my God, We worship and give

you thanks, for you are our hearts and souls.

You are our one and only father.

Lord help us when we are in hard situations and guide us to make

the right choices.

Forgive us when we do wrong and help us to

forgive others the way you forgive us.

Amen

Estela, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Dear God,

Thank you for my family, for my friends and the food you give to me.

Thank you for guarding me in my life and thank you for my nice house.

Please take care of the poor people in my life who don’t have nice warm houses like I do.

Amen

Olivia, St Gabriel’s Primary School

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Dear God,

Thank you for helping me when I am hurt.

Help us to be kind and treat people as we would like to be treated.

Show us how to be a good person from a bad soul.

Thank you when you show happiness when I am sad.

Thank you for the food we eat.

Help us to follow you and live a happy life. Lead me to the right path and

give us our daily bread.

Thank you God.

Amen Matthew, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Almighty God,

You created us all. All things great and all things small.

The creatures that fly, and the creatures that crawl.

We thank you, Lord; so high above. For you we fill our hearts with love.

Please help us when we need you so. Like you did with the burning bush, the dove.

Please bless that you will protect us, and on the right path you’ll erect us,

forgive us, oh Lord, an as your sheep you will collect us.

Amen

Sidonie, St Gabriel’s Primary School

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Dear Lord,

I love you and I know I’ll never leave you.

I thank you for making this wonderful world and for making me so fortunate.

I also thank you for my family and friends and for letting me have three meals a day.

Thank you for giving me strength and courage to live as a good Christian.

Amen

Callum, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Dear God,

Help us to treat each other as we would like to be treated, show us the way to peace not war,

kindness not hatred, and faith not betrayal.

Show us the light to live our lives truthfully and honestly,

may we walk in your footsteps like Christians should.

Thank you for the food we eat and for the drinks you offer us. Thank you for our families.

And most of all, the gift of life. Thank you Lord.

Amen

Daniel, St Gabriel’s Primary School

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Our Father,

Every day I worship you in every way.

Lord, Help us when we have been bad, help us to pick the right direction.

Be with us every day when we have hard times. Make sure we will pick the right friends,

so we don’t get hurt.

Take away my sins when I have done something wrong.

Amen

Neha, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Our Father,

Guide us in all that we do and help us in all that we do wrong.

We will try to be just like you and

live a happy, peaceful and fun life.

Without you we wouldn’t be here now, I appreciate how you died for us.

Please protect me, my family and

my friends forever and ever.

Amen William, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Our Father,

May your name be known and honoured throughout the world. May what you say in heaven, be obeyed here on earth. Give us your holy food every day, to give us strength for the challenges of the new day.

Please forgive our sins and let us not do wrong again.

Amen. Alisha, St Gabriel’s Primary School

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Dear God,

Thank you for everything you do to protect me and care for me.

Even when I am sad, you can cheer me up.

Amen

Ellie, St Gabriel’s Primary School

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Our Father, Who looks down from heaven.

Say my name. I will come to you. Thy shall be done,

on earth and heaven. Give me my daily food and meal,

and our daily bread and wine, and forgive my trespasses,

as we forgive others in the world you made for us.

Take us away from evil and deliver us to give you glory.

Amen

Hope, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Our Father,

Please be with my friends, families and myself. If I do anything wrong please stick with me forever.

Please guide me through everything I do.

Give me the strength to never let you down.

Thank you for the food and drink you offer us.

Thank you for sticking with me forever.

Amen

Daniel, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Oh my God,

I come to say, 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

Josh, St Gabriel’s Primary School

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Dear God, Our Heavenly King,

I pray to you to say thank you for my friends and my family.

Thank you for shielding them from darkness, fear and horror.

Keep them in the shelter of your wings

for always and eternity.

Also Lord, thank you for bringing myself to this world of yours. Help me to correct the error of my ways and shield me from darkness and fear.

Help me to show my forgiveness

and always treat others as I would like to be treated.

Amen

Euan, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Oh my Lord,

Sometimes I take you for granted and your powerful skills that you made the earth with

and made me with.

When I need you, you are always there, and always when I say a prayer.

When we go home at the end of the day,

you are always there when I say.

Lord, take care of my family and friends, we will always be with you there is no end.

Amen

Katie, St Gabriel’s Primary School

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Dear Lord,

I thank you for the kindness you show, thank you for helping me when times were sad.

I am sorry when I forgot, to follow your example;

or the times when I have sinned against you. Help me to follow you,

and help me to grow like you. Thank you lord, now and forever.

Amen

Shay, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Dear Jesus,

Please help me to forgive other people. Thank you for helping me and my family get through

the most troublesome times in my life and for helping others get through their troublesome times.

Thank you for beauty and bright colours in the world,

for the comfort of our kind friends, for the faith in your love that never ends.

Amen

Thomas, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Lord God, touch this place with your gentle hand. Let your peace pour into the soreness, Wash away the pain, Heal the damage And give new strength by your Holy Spirit. Help us to forgive, To renounce any bitterness or resentment And receive the healing touch of Jesus. Amen.

Chloe Hodson, St. Thomas More High School

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Dear Lord, We are sorry that we often do wrong. Please forgive us and help us not to repeat our mistakes. Help us also to accept the forgiveness that you offer to us through Jesus Christ, your Son and our saviour. Amen

Faye McCallum, St. Thomas More High School

Dear God,

Thank you for guiding me through the night,

and sending me the light.

Thank you for my friends and family, and the life you have given to me.

Thank you for the food and drink

you have given to me.

Amen

Alex, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Dear God,

Help me with the things I do and the person I want to become. Help me to be the best

that I can be at my sports and hobbies. Please make me a better person by helping

me. Amen.

St. Anne’s Primary School

Dear God,

Thank you for the lovely holidays that I have enjoyed and for the love you have shown

to me. All I want to say Lord is thank you for the life that you have given to me. Amen.

St. Anne’s Primary School

Dear Lord Jesus,

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You lead me not into temptation, and help me to be a good friend.

Help me to forgive those who trespass against me. Help me to be a loving caring friend to everyone in school.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Amen

Callum, St Gabriel’s Primary School

Our Father,

Be with us in everything we do, guide us along the right path and keep us free from evil.

Help us to be kind

and help us to be just like you.

Help us to be helpful, and give us the courage to follow our dreams.

Amen

Grace, St Gabriel’s Primary School

When life gets difficult

Dear God,

Thank you for taking me through tough times. Help me to help others when they are

finding life hard.

Help me to be more like Jesus and spread his love to others by showing them that I

care. Amen.

Oliver, St. Mary’s Primary School

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Thank you (Environment)

Dear God,

Thank you for making the world and for making our families and friends. Help us to

take care of all that you made. Amen.

Edward, St. Mary’s Primary School

Dear God,

Thank you for the butterflies and flowers. Thank you for my family and the food that I

eat. Thank you for the beautiful animals and trees. Amen.

Ella, St. Anne’s Primary School

Thanking God for our parents

Dear Lord,

Thank you for my Mammy and Daddy. They look after me, teach me and keep me

safe. Amen

Francesca, St. Mary’s Primary School

Dear God,

Thank you for all of the blessings you have given to me and my family.

Beth, St. Anne’s Primary School

Father God, We pray for our families and friends. Bless them and keep them safe. Help them to know your peace, and the love you have for them. May we make our contribution today towards making our world a happier place for all. Amen.

Faye McCallum, St. Thomas More High School

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Thanking God for our school

Dear God,

Thank you for my school family. Thank you for my teachers who help me to learn

new and exciting things. Amen.

Emma, St. Mary’s Primary School

For those who are in need

Dear God,

May we always work to help those who are being unfairly treated in our world. Amen.

Erin, St. Anne’s Primary School

Loving God,

Please help us to know and appreciate the needs that people have in other

countries. We pray that they have a better future. We also pray for those who are in

hospital on this day. Amen.

Jessica, St. Anne’s Primary School

Dear God,

Please comfort the homeless and people who live in the developing countries. May

Pope Francis be able to help all those who he wishes to help. Amen.

Anon, St. Anne’s Primary School

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Dear Lord,

We pray for the homeless, may they receive a shelter over their heads. For those who

have greatly suffered from a loss, may they find comfort. For all the desperate and

neglected children in the world, may they find the strength to carry on. For all of us,

may we always have the courage to stand up for what is right. Amen

Megan, St. Anne’s Primary School

Dear God,

Let your light shine brightly, bring happiness to those less fortunate than ourselves.

Let your light shine bright, bring joy to those in sadness. Let your light shine bright,

where there is hatred please bring gladness. Amen.

Orla, St. Anne’s Primary School

Lord God, may we be grateful for our lot, and compassionate toward all those who are suffering every kind of distress at this difficult time. May we hold back nothing, and hasten to be the ministers of prayer and mercy, like the disciples of Him who went about doing good in times of need.

Amen.

Finn Grimes, St. Thomas More High School

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Make other’s happy

Dear God our Father,

Help us to spread the Good News about Jesus. Jesus turned sadness into joy for

many people. Help us to be more like him in our everyday lives, and become shining

lights for all. Amen.

Kyle & Charlie, St. Mary’s Primary School

For peace

Dear Lord,

Fields of poppies flood the places where blood was shed before. Please help people

come to terms with the death of their loved ones. May we always appreciate that our

country is at peace and let us pray for those who are trapped by war, hatred and

poverty. Amen.

Emily, St. Anne’s Primary School

Recognise Christ’s Suffering

Our Christ gave up His life for us!

He was tortured and beaten for our freedom, not his.

Our Father, his Father, the Father created us, created Christ.

Why do we sin when he died to clear all sins?

We are beautiful, our Father is beautiful, our Christ is beautiful!

Faye, St. Thomas More High School

May we live the life that you desire

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Spirit of God,

fill our hearts with a desire to seek truth and rejoice in beauty.

Help us to know what is pleasing to you and to understand what is right and good in your sight.

Give us the spirit of learning that we may please you by our thoughts

and love you in your creation. Give all teachers your constant encouragement

and guide them in their good work. Spirit of God, make us effective witnesses of your truth

to all whose lives we touch. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Amen.

Hannah, St. Thomas More High School

Respecting life

Heavenly Father, the beauty and dignity of human life was the crowning of your creation. You further ennobled that life when your Son became one with us in his incarnation. Help us to recognise the sacredness of human life and to respect it from the moment of conception until the last moment at death. Give us courage to speak with truth and love and with conviction in defence of life. Help us to extend the gentle hand of mercy and forgiveness to those who do not reverence your gift of life. To all, grant pardon for the times we have failed to be grateful for your precious gift of life or to respect it in others. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Jessica, St. Thomas More High School

Using our gifts

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As we take this time to pray, we ask you Lord to help us to persevere in achieving

our goals in life. Be with us always so that we may never fear any challenge that

meets us. Amen.

Elton, St. Thomas More High School

We know, Lord, that throughout our lives each of us will experience problems and difficulties. Give us courage and strength at those times and prevent us then from looking only at ourselves. Keep our vision wide so that, even in times of difficulty, we may still be of help to others. Help us not to be bitter towards people or situations, but empower us to take the initiative and break the cycle of hatred, bitterness, and evil actions. Help us to transform the difficulties that come our way into opportunities for personal growth and service of others. Amen.

Isaac, St. Thomas More High School

Dear Lord, St. Thomas More Catholic High School can be thought of as a ladder. Some of us have just started climbing, some have reached the midway point, and others are only a few steps away from reaching the top. Please guide us on our journey through school and help us to reach our potential.

Faye, St. Thomas More High School

Dear Lord,

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Guide all of us to do the right things every day. Please enable us to make the right

choices and always work to out potential. Help us to always put others before

ourselves and support all who need support.

Abigail, St. Thomas More High School

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Praying during Lent with pupils from St. Mary’s Primary School, Crewe

Promises

Dear Lord,

During Lent I promise to go to Mass more and get along with my little sister. Help me

to leave sins behind. Amen.

Ben

Try to change

Jesus may you reconcile us all, and keep us safe while we follow in your footsteps.

Give us the courage to be more life you. Amen.

Sam

To start over

Dear Lord

As we gather together in love, trust and hope in our hearts, we ask Lord Jesus for

forgiveness for the wrongdoings that we have committed. May we become more

determined during this season of Lent to trust and following Jesus. Amen.

Anon.

Lenten promises

Father,

I promise to try to always love you and to follow your great commandment to love one

another. Help me to always make the right choices. Amen.

Anon.

Looking forward to Easter

Dear Lord,

We rejoice for Easter but before it, we celebrate Ash Wednesday and Lent. In these

40 days of prayer we say sorry for our sins. Help us Lord to be more like you and to

resist the temptation of sin. Amen

Julia

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