Prayer For the Stressful Day

May He support us all the day long,

till the shades lengthen, and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over and our work is done!
Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging,
and a holy rest, and peace at the last.
John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

A Prayer for Elementary Students

Father of all mercies
We ask that you would bless FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT=Apple
the youngest and littlest of learners, and Bible, photographed by Jonathan
the most helpless and powerless of persons, Bennett"
with Your infinite and loving mercy,
granting them the strength to learn, concentrate,
and act appropriately towards
their teachers and fellow students.
We also ask that You would watch over them,
at home and at school
and grant them proper direction Order Prints of Our Images*
so that they may learn Download High Resolution Versions of
of Your wonderful virtues. Images*
We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen *Some Images Not Available
David Bennett

Prayer For Educational Institutions

Eternal God
Bless all schools, colleges, and universities,
especially __________,
that they may be lively centers for sound learning,
new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom;
and grant that those who teach and those who learn
may find you to be the source of all truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, USA, 1979

Prayer Before a Sporting Event

God our Father,
You have created us
to strive for the best.
Grant to all athletes, coaches, and fans,
strength to pursue excellence
during this event,
and in all that we do.
We pray for the safety of these athletes;
Protect them from injury and harm.
And finally, we pray for your grace,
that you would provide us
with the endurance to pursue our heavenly prize:
eternal life in Your Son. Amen
David Bennett

Prayer For Knowledge and Strength

Give me O Lord, I pray Thee
firm faith, unwavering hope
perfect charity.
Pour into my heart
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding
the Spirit of counsel and spiritual strength
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness
and the Spirit of Thy holy fear
Light eternal, shine in my heart
Power eternal, deliver me from evil
Wisdom eternal, scatter the darkness of my ignorance
Might eternal, pity me
Grant that I may ever seek Thy face
with all my heart and soul and strength;
and, in thine infinite mercy,
bring me at last to Thy holy presence
where I shall behold Thy glory
and possess Thy promised joys
St. Alcuin of York (735-804)

Prayer For Knowledge of God's Creation

Almighty and everlasting God,
You made the universe with all its marvelous order,
its atoms, worlds, and galaxies,
and the infinite complexity of living creatures:
Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation,
we may come to know you more truly,
and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Book of Common Prayer, USA, 1979
Prayer for Bus Drivers
Father,
We thank you for the patience
and dedication of bus drivers,
who are entrusted with
the safety and care of children.
Watch over all school bus drivers,
we pray,
and guide them, in your mercy,
that they, and their passengers,
may reach their intended destinations,
safely and securely.
We pray in Jesus name, Amen.
David Bennett

Prayer For Patience and Gentleness

Bestow on me, O Lord,
a genial spirit and unwearied forbearance;
a mild, loving, patient, heart;
kindly looks, pleasant cordial speech, and manners
in the exchanges of daily life;
that I may give offence to none,
but as much as in lies,
live in charity with all men.
Johann Arndt, (1555-1621)

Prayer For a Willingness to Serve Others

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we 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. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
Prayer For a Neighborhood School
Heavenly Father
You have made human beings in such a way
that all education is most important for their welfare.
Our neighborhood school is lacking _________
and can barely teach our children basic morals and knowledge
that they need in order to live in union with others
and with You, their Creator.
Help us to restore our school
so that our children may receive knowledge of You
And of Your Son, which is eternal life. Amen
New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, adapted

Prayer For Wisdom and Understanding

Teach me, O my Lord Jesus,
instruct me that I may learn from Thee
what I ought to teach concerning thee.
Anglican Archbishop William Laud (1573-1645)

Prayer For Beginning a New School Year

Father,
We thank you for the opportunity
to begin the _____-_____ school year,
and we ask that you bless
the faculty, the students, and student families.
We pray that you will guide us in all ways,
and that we will seek your will
in everything that we do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
David Bennett

School Prayer For the Anniversary of 9-11

Father,
on this anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks,
we pray that you comfort all those still suffering
from this tragedy.
We pray for the souls of all those who lost their lives
in this, and all, terrorist attacks.
May all those consumed by hated for others,
be touched by your divine love.
We pray in Jesus name. Amen
David Bennett
Prayer to Follow God Completely
O My God
give me your grace
so that the things of this earth
and things more naturally pleasing to me,
may not be as close as you are to me.
Keep my eyes, my ears, my heart
from clinging to the things of this world.
Break my bonds, raise my heart.
Keep my whole being fixed on you.
Let me never lose sight of you;
and while I gaze on you,
let my love of you grow more and more every day.
John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

A Prayer to Start the Day

O, God,
Grant us in all our duties your help;
in all our perplexities, your guidance;
in all our dangers, your protection;
and in all our sorrows, your peace.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
our body, and our blood,
our life and our nourishment. Amen.
St. Augustine (354-430)

A Prayer Appropriate for Graduates and Graduation

Father
Help us to not look forward in fear
to the changes in life;
Rather, may we look to them with full hope,
because as changes arise,
you will lead us safely through all things,
because we are your very own,
and when we cannot stand it,
You will carry us in Your arms.
With you,
we shall not fear what may happen tomorrow;
because you are the understanding Father
who cares for us today,
and who will care for us tomorrow and every day.
We have faith, O Lord,
That you will either shield us from suffering,
or give us unfailing strength to bear it.
Put us at peace,
and give us the grace
to put aside
all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
Your Son, and Our Lord. Amen
Adapted by D.B., from St. Francis De Sales

A Prayer For God's Inspiration During the Day

Father,
May everything we do
begin with your inspiration
and continue with your saving help.
Let our work always find its origin in you
and through you reach completion.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
The Liturgy of the Hours, Week I

Prayer for the Light of God

O Lord, thou greatest and most true Light,
whence the light of the day doth spring!
O Light,
which dost lighten every man that cometh into the world!
O thou Wisdom of the eternal Father,
Enlighten my mind,
that I may see only those things that please thee,
and may be blinded to all other things.
Grant that I may walk in thy ways,
and that nothing else may be light and pleasant.
John Bradford (1510-1555)

Prayer to Jesus Before a Test

Lord Jesus,
Being fully human, as well as fully divine,
you know the pressures and stress that I face right now.
I ask that you guide me as I take this test,
so that I may do my best.
Help me to use the knowledge I have gained,
in this class and all my classes
to build up your kingdom,
for the good of all people. Amen
David Bennett