8/30/20

Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 8/30



My annual Back-To-School post:
    UPDATED for our new circumstances!


Whether you're going back to school on line

or in a classroom at school...

... one way or another, everyone's getting ready for the opening of school.  Whether in a physical or virtual classrooms, the new academic year is a time to pray!

In this post you'll find prayers I've written for: students; for teachers; for parents' and for those sending sons and daughters off to college.

In addition to you and your immediate family, are there others in your extended family, among your neighbors and friends or in your parish who might benefit from these prayers?  Please do pass them on!  Some parishes distribute these prayers just before school begins.  
If you share these texts, please be sure to include a link back to my blog:  
ConcordPastor.blogspot.com    
You might pray the Student's Prayer as they leave the house for school or tune in to class on line.  And of course, the family bulletin board or the trusty refrigerator door provide good homes for these prayers. 

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A Student's Prayer
Dear God,
Help me remember that you’re always by my side,
    at school, at home and all day long.
Help me be the best student I can be,
    using all the gifts and talents you’ve given me.
Help me to cope with new ways of learning,
    especially at home and on line. 

Help me, Lord, when I'm bored 
   and give me the strength I need to pay attention.
Help me study well and often
– especially when I don’t feel like studying at all!
Help me finish all my homework – on time.
Help me listen to my teachers and coaches.
Help me play fair and play safely.
Help me be honest when I’m tempted to cheat.
Help me always tell the truth.
Help me be kind to everyone at school and at home-school
    and to treat others as I’d want them to treat me.
Help me make good friends
    and help me be a good friend to others.
Help me see how I can help others
    and to ask for help when I need it myself.
Help me love and respect, trust and appreciate
    my parents and my teachers
     and help me be honest with them.

Help me remember that you’re with me always, Lord,
    and that you’ll never leave my side.
Amen.
ConcordPastor.blogspot.com


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 A Parent's Prayer for Students 
Dear Lord,
As my children begin a new school year
I pray you keep them in your care.
Help me to cope with new ways of learning,

    especially at home and on line.  

Give me the patience I need
   to be a teacher in my own home, with my own kids.
Send your Spirit to open my children's minds
    to all that's true and beautiful and good.
Help them see the gifts and talents you have given them 
    and teach them to use them well.
Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Help them adjust to new and different ways of learning.
Help them to be kind to others
    and please, Lord, lead others to be kind to them.
Give their teachers patience and understanding
    and help them teach what's just and true.
Send your angels to guide and guard my children
    and to keep them from all harm.
Open their young hearts to your presence
    and enfold them in your peace and protection.
Hold them in the palm of your hand, Lord,
    and at day's end, bring them safely home.
Amen. 
ConcordPastor.blogspot.com


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A Teacher's Prayer

Dear God,
A new school year is about to begin
   and my classroom - physical or virtual - will soon be open

       to the students you've assigned to my care.

Give me patience with technology I find difficult
   and with the limitations of virtual teaching.
Open my mind and heart to all my students
    and especially to the ones
       who will challenge me the most.
Help me challenge my students, all of them,
    to study, to learn, to grow in knowledge
       and even a little wisdom.
Help me remember, Lord, how young my students are:
       give me patience to help them grow up
       and insight to know the help they need.
Help me understand that sometimes
    my students may not understand me:
       help me be clear in all I say and do.
My students don't know the burdens and worries
    my heart brings to the classroom, Lord,
so help me remember
    how anxious and how heavy my students' hearts may be.

Keep me from favoring any particular students, Lord,
    except for those who need my help the most.
Let my choices and decisions in the classroom
    be fair and just, honest and true.
Send your Spirit to fill me with the gifts of
    knowledge and understanding, counsel and wisdom.

Lord, open my mind and heart to my students' parents,
    especially those who'll challenge me the most.
Help me challenge parents to challenge their children
    to study, to learn and to grow.
Teach me to teach as you would, Lord:
    with understanding when I need to be firm,   

    with gentleness in all things
    and with patience ‘til the last bell rings.

Amen.
ConcordPastor.blogspot. com

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Reflection for Empty Nesters

A friend wrote to me about how hard it was to see her child go off to college: seems the tears just wouldn't stop flowing... I replied:

When a daughter is leaving home: 
Yes... I understand,
but it was, in part, for just this
that you brought her into the world:

for her to grow and mature,
to begin to be on her own,
loving you not any less at all
and perhaps, indeed,
loving you even more
for all you've given her thus far
and how you love her still
as she becomes, more and more,
her own person...

 
Through your tears, 
ask God to help you find the joy
that should be yours
in seeing what a fine young woman you've raised:
your daughter, born of you, 
of your love and all your care...
ConcordPastor.blogspot. com
 
 
When a son is leaving home:
Yes....  I understand
but it was, in part,
for just this
that you brought him into the world:
for him to grow and mature,
to begin to be on his own,
loving you not any less at all
and perhaps, indeed,
loving you even more
for all you've given him thus far
and how you love him still
as he becomes, more and more,
his own person...

 
Through your tears, 
ask God  to help you find the joy
that should be yours
in seeing what a fine young man
you've raised:
your son, born of you, 
of your love and all your care...
ConcordPastor.blogspot. com


 


 
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