School Prayers

Prayer has been traditionally described as ‘lifting up of the hearts and minds to God’, which means it involves our whole person – our head as well as our heart.

This definition expresses a fundamental understanding that God is concerned and interested about what goes on in our lives; is due our expression of thanksgiving and gratitude; and responds to us when we express our needs. This basic dynamic of recognition, thanksgiving,
and intercession forms the core of all prayer and liturgy.

It is wholly appropriate that communal prayer forms an essential dimension of life in a Catholic school. Staff and pupils are invited to recognise God’s action in their lives and the life of the school, and in response to express together their needs and those of the whole human family, and to offer thanks for all that is good. Communal prayer takes place, for example, at the beginning or end of the school day, in the classroom, or in the school hall in assembly.

At St Stephen’s, we have a strong, distinctive Catholic ethos. Through our mission statement and vision, we ensure that children learn through the teachings and stories that Jesus told. Children have opportunities to think, reflect and pray at regular points throughout the school day.

This is our morning prayer said at the start of the day by pupils in EYFS/KS1:

This is our morning prayer said at the start of the day by pupils in KS2:

This is our lunchtime prayer said in class at the start of lunchtime by all pupils:

This is our afternoon prayer said at the end of the day by pupils in EYFS/KS1:

This is our afternoon prayer said at the end of the day by pupils in KS2:

Please use the prayers above as a guide or help you to learn the prayers with your child at home.