A Prayerbook for Students

Prayers from the Heart

Table of Contents.
Teaching your Child to pray
1. Original Prayers
11. Conversational Prayers
111. Extempore Prayers
1V. A Soldier's Prayer
V. Lord's Prayer
V1. St. Augustine's prayer
V11. 24 x 7 Prayers
V111. Mother Theresa's prayer
1X. The Serenity Prayer
X. Special Prayers
1. Prayer for the beginning of the day.
2. Prayer for God's Love and Care.
3. Prayer for Guidance for the day.
4. Prayer of Repentance.
5. Prayer for loved ones.
6. Prayer for The power of Love
7. Prayer For all Seasons
8. Prayer for protection
9. Prayer for Wisdom
10. Prayer before a journey
11. Prayer for the needy
12. Prayer for the Holy Spirit
13. Prayer for Parents and Siblings.
14. Prayer for a disciplined life.
15. Prayer for setting a goal and achieving it.
16. Prayer for teachers.
17. Prayer for world peace
18. Prayer for the conservation of the environment
19. Prayer for separated families.
20. Prayer for the Aged.
21. Prayer for thinking and acting positively.
22. Prayer for the beginning day of an academic year.
23. Prayer before school programs.
24. Prayer for Birthdays
25. Prayer for the last day of school.
26. Bible Readings from NIV Bible provided with permission.

Teaching your Child to pray

Parenting comes with immense responsibilities. The greatest training and gift that one can give one's child is the gift of friendship with God. When your child goes through life's difficult lessons Prayers should be the power that guides and protects.
Give your child Jesus Christ and then you have given him or her strength and character. Teach your child to pray and give him a book to pray with. Along with that teach different kind of prayers.

Original Prayers

These are the best kind. Prayers from the heart are better than any written and prepared prayers. Praying in bed, praying while doing other chores, praying when afraid and praying when being thankful, are ways in which you acknowledge God. Therefore it is imperative that you teach your child original prayers in the child's own words. Learning to pray when young will give experience to pray as an adult as well. Prayers should be a way of life, a built-in discipline by the time he/ she grows up.

Conversational Prayers

A child's life should be filled with moments with God. But there should be a time set apart daily for a conversation with God. It is when you praise the Lord Almighty, surrender to Him your being and then listen to God's voice. It takes a lot of training to just listen to the voice of God. That conversation with Christ gives you direction, peace and strength. When in doubt just ask God. It is important that we wait before making any decisions to consult our Creator. Chances are we will make definite decisions if we take time for the decision making and it will definitely help if we can discuss it with others. Teach your child to listen to God's voice through others.

Extempore Prayers

Prayers without preparation or instant prayers are done by children who have been taught how to pray. Show your child how to pray without preparation. Eg. "We have come to your presence for............" These prayers will help them to avoid temptations, control anger, give solace and speak their mind.

A Soldier's Prayer

This prayer had been sent to me by my friend Pothen Joseph. His father taught him this prayer when he was quiet young. Help your child to memorize this precious prayer.

"Oh God, my father
Thou searcher of men's hearts,
Help us to draw nearer unto thee
In Sincerity and Truth.
Make us to choose the harder right
Than to choose the easier wrong
And never to be content with half truths
When the whole can be one."

Lord's Prayer

For a child this is a very difficult prayer. Make sure your child understands it line by line.

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to pray like this.

"Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation.
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever, amen."

St. Augustine's prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I 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.
Mother Theresa's prayer
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough; give the world the best you have got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen

24x7 Prayers

Blessed be your name.
Jesus, praise you Lord.
Thank you God for all the blessings you gave me today.
If I have made you sad, sorry Jesus.
May the beauty of my master be seen in me today and always.
Thank you for being my very own friend, Jesus.

1. Prayer for the beginning of the day.
2. Prayer for God's Love and Care.
3. Prayer for Guidance for the day.
4. Prayer of Repentance.
5. Prayer for loved ones.
6. Prayer for The power of Love
7. Prayer For all Seasons
8. Prayer for protection
9. Prayer for Wisdom
10. Prayer before a journey
11. Prayer for the needy
12. Prayer for the Holy Spirit
13. Prayer for Parents and Siblings.
14. Prayer for a disciplined life.
15. Prayer for setting a goal and achieving it.
16. Prayer for teachers.
17. Prayer for world peace
18. Prayer for the conservation of the environment
19. Prayer for separated families.
20. Prayer for the Aged.
21. Prayer for thinking and acting positively.
22. Prayer for the beginning day of an academic year.
23. Prayer before school programs.
24. Prayer for Birthdays
25. Prayer for the last day of school.
26. Bible Readings from NIV Bible provided with permission.

Special Prayers

1. A Morning Prayer

Almighty and Everlasting God,
We have come into your presence at the beginning of this glorious morning. Bless our day with peace, happiness and love. May we be seen to the world as the images of Jesus Christ, our Lord. May humility and service abound in our work throughout today.

We remember the elderly, the disabled and the underprivileged. May you be their solace and strength.

Bless us, we pray.
Amen.

2. Prayer for God's Love and Care.

Praise you Jesus, for the never ending care and love that you show us. Even though we have walked away from you time to time, you have always kept us in your fold, watching over us. You listen to us when we pray in tears and you make it possible for all things to come together for the best in our lives.
Praise Jesus for the wonderful gifts in our lives in the form of friends, family, health, peace and happiness. May we always be carriers of your love.

This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen

3. Prayer for Guidance.

Dear Father in Heaven,

We have come before you this morning with all the cares of the world. Lord, deliver us from all anxieties, worries and depressing thoughts. Your presence in our lives is sufficient for us.

Help us today to do today's work diligently and honestly. Let us be humble in our approach to all we meet. Make us remember the blessings we have rather than the things we do not have. Deliver us from envy, hatred, and revenge. Instead let us greet the world with unconditional love and respect. This we ask in Jesus' name.
Amen

4. Prayer of Repentance

Holy Father
I have sinned against you and others. I had not realized the hurt that I caused others by my actions. Pardon my offences Lord. Cleanse me by your healing blood. Strengthen me in your goodness that I may be broken to do your will.

Heal the wounds that I have caused Lord. Mend relationships and give in me an understanding of the sufferings of others. May I understand the power of words, how I can use it to mend and build relationships. This I ask in Jesus' name. Amen

5. Prayer for loved ones

Praise you everlasting Father
You, who are Light, show me the way I should travel today. The uncertainties of life and anxieties about the future should have no place in my life father. You are my guard, shield and provider. And I shall not want anything other than what you provide.
Bless all our loved ones near and far. I remember......... (Pray by names and needs).

6. The power of Love.

The love of Christ that diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part--the brain, the heart, and the nerves--it touches with healing. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, which crush the life forces.

With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul, joy that nothing earthly can destroy--joy in the Holy Spirit--health-giving, life-giving joy. Lord we pray that you touch us with the Holy Spirit to make us divinely powerful. Grant in us a new force that is awakened by your healing touch. Praise you Lord for all the blessings,
This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus.
Amen

7. For all Seasons.

O God, the creator of the Universe, we thank thee for the amazing handiwork that you have created. The earth, the Moon and the Stars proclaim your glory. The Sun and the Rain manifest your powerful and soothing magnificence. Thank you for the Day for us to study and work with diligence. Thank you for the night when we can rest from the day's toils and troubles. Keep us always in your safekeeping.

We love you for the changing seasons. We pray for those who are affected by the fury of storms, floods, and hurricanes. We pray for the underprivileged. Remind us to give a lending hand to the needy. Make our life fruitful with good deeds for others. Let us think less of ourselves, and more of others. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen

8. For PROTECTION.

Jesus, Lord Almighty, my shield and my fortress, thank you for your blessings that you have given us. We have not lived as you taught us to live. Pardon our known and unknown, deliberate and innocent mistakes that we have committed to others and to you. Cleanse us from evil thoughts. Help us to stay clear of evil and malicious people.

Build in us a sense of godliness and a need for humility in all things and at all times. Let only your name be praised. In the name of Jesus I ask, Amen
9. For Wisdom

'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding has all those who do His commandments. His praise endures for ever.' Psalms 111: 10

Dear Father, fountain of Wisdom, hear us when we call upon you. We have come together to understand your power that transforms us. Give us a discerning heart and an inquisitive spirit to acquire knowledge and thereby Wisdom.
Make us humble so as to look up, make us kind so as to render help and make us energetic so as to work diligently.
This we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
10. Prayer before a journey

God Almighty, bless all of us that are traveling today to our destinations. Keep us from accidents and life threatening situations. Be our guide and companion. Take all anxieties away from us. Trusting on you and your guidance we set out to travel.
Your holy presence gives us courage to overcome all obstacles.
Heavenly Light, for thou light and darkness are the same. Guide us and guard us at night, so that we may wake up to praise you in the morning.
11. For the Needy.

O Gracious God, the giver of all good things, we praise you for our manifold blessings.

At this time we remember the sick, the suffering, and the lonely people among us and around the world. When we come across the needy let us open our hearts to give, to mend injuries and to support worthy causes. Instill in us a discerning spirit by which we can differentiate between the genuine needy and the pretenders.

Let us give abundantly from the things we have. Help us to lead humble and basic lives. Renew in us the Holy Spirit by whom all things are possible.

This is our earnest prayer.
Amen.

12. Prayer for the Holy Spirit.

Dear Father

We thank you for the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Fill us with your Spirit, the protector, the guide and our strength. Let the Holy Spirit dwell in us to control us from evil thoughts and deeds. Let us choose our paths wisely consulting the Holy Spirit and may we surrender to your will.

Let us lose ourselves and surrender completely to you so that you can work within us. Make us carriers of your love, humility, perseverance, and above all your peace. Almighty God who created us, our feeble characters you know. May your eternal light shine in us and may we reflect the image of you as we set out for our day's study and work.

Thank you Lord for hearing our prayer.
Amen
13. Prayer for Parents and siblings
O gracious Lord,

We have come together in your presence to give you honor and praise. Today we thank you for our families and our loved ones. First and foremost we thank you for our parents who are always there for us. Bless them with good health, peace of mind and rest from all the cares of the world. Be their strength and shield to face life daily with joy cherishing every moment of their lives.

Guard our siblings from temptations of the enemy. May they ever be cautious of peer pressure and the lure of the world. Make them your disciples earning souls for your everlasting kingdom. Give them direction in their lives so as to serve you whole-heartedly always.

We thank thee for our friends and all our special people in our lives.
Amen

14. Prayer for a disciplined life.

Dear God,

Create in us a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. Instead of us being free to do as we like, let us be free to do the things that we should. You have bestowed upon us a spirit of love and discipline.

Let us be obedient, hard working, punctual and diligent. The lack of discipline will destroy us, we know. Therefore let us always study and work with discipline to achieve the best possible results. Let us inspire our fellow students with our meticulous and structured work. Let us look at our habits and help us to make corrections in our lifestyle.

This we pray in the name of the risen Lord,
Amen

15. Prayer for setting a goal and achieving it.

Almighty God

Praise your Holy name for the wonderful gifts you have showered on us. Thank you for our health, family, friends and opportunities. Let us prepare ourselves for a tough and productive career that will make our learning worthwhile. Let us work and study without murmuring.

We realize that without pain there is no gain. May we discard laziness, sloth and leisurely life. Instead let us toil as much as we can to build character and confidence. With you all things are possible. We should be diligent to do the day's homework without any delay. Finally let us remember that all our effort will be seen at the end of the year. We submit ourselves into your loving hands. Carry us through our lives.
This we pray,
Amen

16. Prayer for teachers.

Father of all mercies,

You love the children of the world. As children we come before you for your blessings and guidance.

We pray for our Principal/Headmaster/Headmistress, Faculty, students and all the helpers. Assist all our teachers to help us to concentrate in our studies. Let the teachers help us to attain knowledge while developing all our skills and talents.

Grant them proper direction to teach moral values that we can foster all the days of our lives. Bless them O Lord for the amazing service they do to our generation. We ask you to bless all those who teach and all of us students who learn.

This is our earnest prayer in the name of our Lord,
Amen

17. Prayer for world peace

Dear God,

May all things be a source of peace to us. Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called the children of God.

In these days of violence, unrest and hunger around the world, we request you to bring everlasting peace to the suffering.

May peace and universal love abound and work as a healing power to all the wounded bodies and souls. Help us not to injure any living being. May all of us become practitioners of your love. If we have done any harm we are truly sorry and pardon our offences. May we protect the environment and all your creations in it.

Let us learn to share all the good things that you have provided us on this earth.

In the name of our living God,
Amen.

18. Prayer for the conservation of the environment

O Lord My God,

Praises to your holy name. When we see the marvelous balance of nature we humble ourselves in your presence. You are omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. The Earth is filled with the wonders of your creation.

Let us commit ourselves in maintaining the balance in the nature. As humans we have depleted, exhausted and plundered natural wealth without substituting the depletion. Let us reconstruct the balance, as we know how by preserving and repairing the damages we have caused to the environment around us.

Teach us ways in which all of us can contribute to keeping the beautiful nature as it is. Help us not to hurt any living thing.

This is our prayer in the name of the lord,
Amen

19. Prayer for separated families.

ALMIGHTY father,
We ask you to bless all of us individually and collectively.

You have instituted the order of Family in our life. Today we bring before you all the families that need your protection and safekeeping. You be the master of our households Lord. Mend broken relationships. Help us to respect each other, without judging each other. Let us be carriers of your infinite love and patience.

Mend all the severed relationships Lord. Bring in our hearts a sense of peace making that helps to correct our ways.

We ask your blessings to bring together all the families living apart, so that all can worship you together as families. With Joshua let us proclaim 'as for me and my household we will serve the Lord."
We ask you to bless the fathers and the mothers that work so hard to raise their children. May we appreciate their sacrifices that they have made.

In the name of our risen Christ we pray,

Amen.

20. Prayer for the Aged.

Lord almighty the hope of the entire world,

You are the helper of the helpless, stronger than the strong; we remember all who are weak in body and soul. May you be the hope of all those who suffer. May the living water from the Lord Almighty flow to heal the broken in body and spirit. May the healing take place for the glory of your name.

We remember the elderly people in our families. We bring before you in prayer, widows, orphans, and anyone who is treated as an outcast of the society. In your eyes all of us are children of God and you are more than willing to pardon all our trespasses. Grant us healing from pain, rest from suffering, and peace in this violent world around us.

May we have responsibility, sincerity and humility in all our actions. Work through us Lord to make a difference to those who are in need.
This we ask in Jesus' name,
Amen.

21. Prayer for thinking and acting positively.

Dear Risen Lord,
We are coming into your presence with praises and thanksgiving. Hear our prayers Lord. Mend our broken hearts with the power of your Holy Spirit. Pardon our offences that we have committed against you and others.

Bring in us a spirit of love, reconciliation and healing. All things work together for good for those who trust and believe in you. We submit ourselves unto your keeping. Have mercy on us Lord. May your love kindle in us a rejoicing spirit.
This we pray in Jesus' name.
Amen.
22. Prayer for the beginning day of an academic year.
O Blessed Lord who lives and reigns with eternal brightness bless us as we gather together to praise your Holy name.

We are at the glorious beginning of a new academic year. We start fresh with our new year with hope and faith in you. May all our efforts be to glorify your name. We ask for your everlasting presence in this Institution. May the teachers draw strength and wisdom from you on a daily basis, so that the students may profit abundantly in studies and character formation.

Let us look at our social responsibilities at this time. Let no student be denied a rightful education and let no student go astray from the rightful path.
Bless the head of our Institution, all the staff members and the non-teaching staff. May you fill us with your abundant grace and mercy that we may be always vigilant to praise your holy name.

Amen
23. Prayer before school programs.
O lord, give your abundant blessings on all of us gathered together. Enable us to put our body and spirit into everything that we are associated with. May your heavenly grace always prevail upon all things. Fill us with pure love of you and our sisters and brothers. May we not aspire for our own glory. In all things let us see your hand at work.

.Today we have prepared programs to enlighten and amuse us. May all that we do to edify our character and may all that we say may be to praise the work of others.
This we pray Amen

24. Prayer for Birthdays

Dear Lord,
We have come to praise your mighty name for the wonderful blessings that you have given to the person celebrating the birthday today.

Bestow all the best on this child, your protection, your guidance and your love. May he/she be quick to forgive and ready to help always. Shower your mercy on him/her abundantly. May humility be her /his trademark. May she/he be pure and clean from all the works of evil. Shine brightly in her/his heart and walk with her/him daily.

This is our prayer,
Amen

25. Prayer for the last day of school
Most Gracious Lord,
You had been abundantly merciful not only in the year that is past, but through out the days of our lives. We look back with a heart filled with gratitude and joy that we were bestowed with so many graces along with more faith and more obedience to your teachings.

We have learnt valuable and everlasting lessons from our teachers and friends. Bless those who served you so faithfully to instill in us strength and character. May we go forth with the lessons learned and may we make a difference in the world around us.

This we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Amen