Chaplaincy news

Prayers for the Shelford community

Sometimes I find in moments where we need greater comfort there is some inclination to pray. To pray to a higher power, to something out there, can bring comfort in times of trouble. No doubt many of us have sent up whispered prayers and hopes since COVID began impacting our lives. Below are some different prayers for people within our community, I hope you find comfort in them.

Claire Cheeseman

School Chaplain

A prayer for a new day

God, you who make things new, again and again, enliven the thoughts of my mind, revitalise the cells of my body, and cause a fresh outburst of joy to surge in my heart so that I might taste the life that is in this day. Amen.

A prayer for students going to school

God, I pray that you would be with those going to school today. Bless their coming and going. Bless their learning and their playing. Please protect their hearts from fear. Please keep them safe. Please surround them with good friends and strong supports. Give them joy this day. Amen.

A prayer for students schooling at home

God, I pray that you would be with every student who is at home today as they do their schoolwork. Please help them to do their best, help them not to feel alone, and help them to be with patient with family. Give them joy this day. Amen.

A prayer for parents

God, we ask that you would make our parents wise when they cannot clearly see the way forward, make them brave when they feel afraid, make them strong in the face of weakness, and make possible what to them, seems impossible. Give them strength to guide and nurture their children and grant them space for peace and rest amongst everything going on. Amen.

A prayer for teachers

God, I thank you for the teachers of Shelford, I ask that you would help our teachers to love their students well this day and to be patient with things that don’t go according to plan. May our teachers help students to be gracious with themselves in the light of mistakes that they may make, to delight in things newly discovered, and to love the truth with all their hearts and minds, so that they might be wise and compassionate citizens of this world. May you grant our teachers times for rest and peace throughout the day. Equip our teachers with the strength and wisdom they need as each day comes. Amen.

A prayer for school administrators

God, we pray today for school administrators, that you would grant them clarity of mind, strength of will and a heart of wisdom, so that they might be enabled to make decisions that lead to the flourishing of their teachers, staff, and students and to the wellbeing of the whole community. Amen.