School Prayers

Prayer is central to our relationship with God. Prayer means talking and listening to God. At Margaret Roper our children are encouraged to talk to God in their words, thoughts and actions. They are introduced to many different ways of praying. They include:

  • learning traditional prayers
  • quiet reflection and meditation
  • praying as a community
  • spontaneous prayer
  • composing their own prayers
  • praying through music and art

Prayers – suggested progression

As we believe that learning prayers is important for our children we have devised a suggested progression for each Year Group which comprises both traditional prayers and mass responses.

Reception
 

PRAYERS

 Sign of the cross

Simple litanies of thanks and praise

Our Father          to join

Hail Mary            in with

Prayers for the blessing of the Advent wreath

Prayers for the blessing of the Advent candles
 

GRACE

 Bless us O Lord as we sing together.

Bless the food we eat today.

Bless the hands that make the food.

Bless us O Lord. (This can be sung)
 

MORNING/EVENING

PRAYERS

 Please Lord Jesus hug me tight

And keep me in your loving sight.

For with you by my side today,

I know that I will be okay..

 I love you, God, with all my might.

Keep me safe all through the night.
 

RESPONSES AT MASS

 And  with your spirit

Peace be with you
 Thanks be to God

 Greeting the Gospel (Alleluia)

Year One

As above plus
 

PRAYERS

 Our Father

Glory be to the Father

Hail Mary

Prayers used at Baptism

 
 

GRACE

 We thank thee Lord for happy hearts,

For rain and sunny weather.

We thank Thee Lord, for this our food,

And that we are together.

Amen
MORNING/EVENING

PRAYERS

 Help me Lord, to love thee more,

than I ever loved before.

in my work and in my play

Be thou with me through the day.

Amen

 God our Father, I’ve 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.
 

RESPONSES AT MASS

 Lord have mercy

Prayers of Intercession

Year Two

As above plus:
 

PRAYERS

 Simple Magnificat

Come Holy Spirit

Act of Sorrow

Prayers for Lent (This is the wood of the Cross)

Simple examination of conscience
 

GRACE

 Thank you for the world so sweet.

Thank you for the food we eat.

Thank you for the birds that sing.

Thank you God for everything.       (This can be sung)
 

MORNING/EVENING

PRAYERS

 Lord Jesus take my hand

And lead me through this day;

Bless all I meet in home or street

While working or at play.

Lord Jesus take my hand

And place it in your own;

Just hold me tight from morn to night

And I’ll not be alone.

 God bless me when I’m awake

And kind and good and bright

God watch over me and keep

Me safely through the night.
 

RESPONSES AT MASS

 - Eucharistic Prayer responses

 

Year Three

As above plus:
 

PRAYERS

 I confess

Act of Love

Act of Contrition

Eternal rest

Prayers used for sacramental rites

 
 

GRACE

 Let us pause before we eat

and think about those in need

of food and shelter and of love.

Please bless us all dear God above.

Amen
 

MORNING/EVENING

PRAYERS

  O my God you love me

You’re with me night and day.

I want to love you always.

In all I do and say.

I’ll try to please you Father.

Bless me through the day.

 The day is done;

O God the Son,

I need not fear

If you are near;

You are my Saviour

Kind and dear.
 

RESPONSES AT MASS

 Penitential rite

 Glory to God

Blessing and giving of ashes

Year Four

As above plus:
 

PRAYERS

 The Rosary

Litany of the Saints     Prayers from the liturgy for special feasts

Saints’ prayers
 

GRACE

 Round this table, here to pray.  First, we thank you for the day.  For our family and our friends.  Gifts of grace that Heaven lends.  Living water, daily bread.  Countless blessings our God sends.  Thank you, Jesus, for them all.  For the great ones and the small.  When we’re happy, when we’re sad.  On the good days and the bad.  We are grateful, we are glad.  Amen
 

MORNING/EVENING

PRAYERS

 Lord in the morning I start each day,

By taking a moment to bow and pray.

I start with thanks, and then give praise

For all your kind and loving ways.

 Jesus, tender shepherd hear me;

Bless your little lamb tonight;

Through the darkness please be near me;

Keep me safe till morning light.

All this day your hand has led me,

And I thank you for your care;

You have warmed and clothed and fed me;

Listen to my evening prayer. Amen
 

RESPONSES AT MASS

 Offertory prayers

 Holy, holy

Some simple phrases from the psalms

Year Five

As above plus:
 

PRAYERS

 Angelus

Benedictus

Stations of the Cross

Blessing and giving of ashes

Saints prayers
 

GRACE

 We thank and praise you Lord, for the gifts of your creation, and ask your blessing on mankind, that one day we can learn to share with poorer nations so that no one will go hungry. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 

MORNING/EVENING

PRAYERS

 Dear God be with me at school today. Help me to be friendly and thoughtful, obedient to my teachers, careful in my studies and like Jesus in my words and deeds.

Amen

 Thank you for all the good things

That have happened today.

Thank you for keeping me safe and well,

Thank you for fun and laughter with my friends,

Thank you for what I have learned,

Thank you for all those I love.

Help me to sleep soundly tonight. Amen

 
 

RESPONSES AT MASS

 Eucharistic Prayers & common Acclamations of Faith

Lamb of God

Litany of Saints

 

Year Six

As above plus:
 

PRAYERS

 Magnificat

Funeral Mass prayers
 

GRACE

 Bless, lord, this food you give us. As we eat it, help us to think of those who are hungry, not just in our prayers but through our actions, as we strive for freedom, peace and justice for all.

Amen
 

MORNING/EVENING

PRAYERS

 Come, Holy Spirit, and help me in my lessons. Give me the will to listen and learn; the patience to work well; the courage to seek and to question. I ask you to help my teachers so that they can continue to help me. Be close to me and teach me to enjoy learning and to do my best.

Amen

 I thank you heavenly father, for guiding me through this day. Thank you for all the learning, laughter and love I have received. I pray that you will forgive me for all the things that I have done wrong and keep me safe this night.

Amen

 
 

RESPONSES AT MASS

 Creed

Rite of dismissal

Prayers from the Liturgy for special feasts

Quiet reflection

 

We recognise the need for quiet places to reflect and each class has a special focal point with a wall- mounted or free-standing cross. The prayer tables have a cloth conveying the liturgical season and a candle together with other artefacts.

The Father Salmon garden is available for quiet reflection during breaks and lunchtimes.