The prayers on this page have been found through experience to work well with children and young people.

31 Holy Light
from the Liturgy of the Hours (Week 3 Wednesday Morning Prayer)
Lord God,
in your wisdom you created us;
by your providence you rule us;
penetrate our inmost being with your holy light,
so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service to you.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

32 Be With Us Today
St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Father in heaven,
you have given us a mind to know you,
a will to serve you,
and a heart to love you.
Be with us today in all that we do,
so that your light may shine out in our lives.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

33 Prayer for Forgiveness
Bishop David Konstant (b.1930)
Lord God,
our loving Father,
you know all my sins and failures,
my weaknesses and temptations.
I come to you with deep sorrow in my heart
for the wrong I have done
and for the good I have failed to do.
Forgive me,
accept me,
stengthen me,
now and always.
Amen.

34 Prayer of Dedication
Adrian Porter SJ
This prayer was written for St Aloysius College Glasgow and is said together by pupils and staff at weekly assembly standing before the altar of the church..

Father,
we gather in your presence
in prayer and praise.
We thank you for our health and happiness,
for forgiveness and healing,
for our talents,
and for our friends.
We thank you for the wonderful world you have given us
to explore and to use to your greater glory.
We thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ, your Son,
who died that we might have life and live it to the full.
Send your Spirit to accompany us on our daily journey.
Give us wisdom that we may find you in all things.
Give us understanding that we may learn our lessons well.
Give us compassion that we may show your face to those we meet.
Give us generosity that we may share the gifts you have given us.
Give us faith that we may have confidence in ourselves.
Above all give us love that we may bring joy into the lives of those around us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

35 The Dedication of Studies
John Twist SJ
The dedication of studies traditionally takes place at the beginning of the school year or on a feast of Our Lady. In Jesuit schools, Our Lady is invoked in the dedication of studies as she is at the end of this prayer. This prayer was written to reflect the Jesuit Pupil Profile and its pairs of virtues and could be used with the visual image of the profile.
Jesuit Pupil Profile
Jesuit Pupil Profile image

God, our almighty Father,
to you we dedicate our studies
and the work that we do this year.
Open our minds and our hearts
so that together we may be grateful for our gifts and the gifts of others;
generous to become men and women for others;
attentive and discerning in the events of daily life;
compassionate with the needy;
loving towards others;
faith-filled in our beliefs, with hope in the future;
eloquent and truthful in our speech;
learning to find God in all things;
curious to know;
engaged with the world;
committed to change for the better.
May we use the resources of the earth prudently
and set a prophetic example by our conduct,
so that we may employ our knowledge to benefit others
and create one family of all nations
to the greater glory of God.
May Mary, the mother of your son,
and our mother too,
assist us in all that we do
and make us more like her son,
our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

36 A Prayer for Teachers
Adrian Porter SJ
Christ the Teacher Icon

Lord,
you have called me to teach
and you give me your son, Jesus the Teacher, as my guide.
You send me to be your face and word in school today,
to bring your message of faith, hope and love.

With my pupils may I be always patient and understanding
and never resentful or despairing.

With my colleagues may I be always generous and supportive
and never dismissive or hurtful.

With those entrusted to lead the school may I be always considerate and constructive
and never obstructive or difficult.

With myself may I be always grateful for daily blessings
and never take things for granted.

With everyone I encounter today may I be just in my actions
and forgiving with my words.

May I praise, not criticise; encourage, not deter;
help, not hinder; accompany, not direct;
and bring light and joy to those I meet. .

May my lessons be truthful and inspiring
as they reveal the wonderful traces of your presence in creation
and in the best of human kind.

May my classroom be a place of peace and respect,
discovery and learning,
where each person is given space and encouragement to flourish,
growing to be the person you call them to be.

Give me energy, and faith and commitment,
especially when I am tired or despondent,
let down, or wondering if my efforts are worthwhile.

Give me the wisdom and strength of your Spirit,
today and each day,
that I may help the souls committed to my care
for the common good
and for your greater glory. Amen.

36 A Short Prayer for Staff Meetings
Clare McCullough (St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst)
Lord,
let us walk with you today,
see your faces in others,
feel your presence in all things.
Help us to give as much as we can
for your greater glory.
Amen.

37 Teach Me Your Way
Pedro Arrupe SJ (1907-91)

Teach me your way of looking at people:
as you glanced at Peter after his denial;
as you penetrated the heart of the rich young man
and the hearts of your disciples.

I would like to meet you as you really are,
since your image changes those
with whom you come into contact.

Remember John the Baptist’s first meeting with you?
And the Centurion’s feeling of unworthiness?
And the amazement of all those who saw miracles
and other wonders?

How you impressed your disciple?,
The rabble in the Garden of Olives?
Pilate and his wife
and the Centurion at the foot of the cross?

I would like to hear and be impressed
by your manner of speaking,
listening, for example, to your discourse
in the synagogue in Capernaum
or the sermon on the mount where your audience
felt you “taught as one who has authority.”

38 Let your God love you
Edwina Gately (b.1943)
Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you with an enormous love
and only wants to look upon you
with that generous love.
Quiet.
Be still.
Let your God love you.

39 A Magnificat
Translated from the German by Olga Warnke IBVM
My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!
For he has blessed me lavishly
and makes me ready to respond.
He shatters my little world
and lets me be poor before him.
He takes from me all my plans
and gives me more than I can hope for or ask.
He gives me opportunities and the ability to becomefree
and to burst through my boundaries.
He gives the strength to be doing, to build on him alone,
for he shows himself as the ever greater One in my life.
He has made known to me this!
It is in my being servant that it becomes possible.
For God's kingdom to break through
here and now.

40 Prayer for Discernment
Pedro Arrupe SJ
Grant me, O Lord, to see eveything now with new eyes;
to discern and test the spirits that help me read the signs of the times;
to relish the things that are yours and commuicate them to others.
Give me the clarity of understanding that you gave Ignatius.
Amen.

41 A Prayer before Mass
Adrian Porter SJ
Lord, let me be still and reverent as I come into your presence.
Let my heart be open to your Spirit.
Let my mind be attentive to the readings from scripture.
Let me offer myself with the gifts of bread and wine.
Let me give you greater glory in prayer and praise.
Amen.

42 Prayer of Abandonment
Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916)
Father,
I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you;
I am ready for all, accept all.
Let only your will be done in me
and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
Amen.

43 Prayer of Ministry
St Pierre Favre SJ (1506-46)
With great devotion
and new depth of feeling,
I hope and beg, O God,
that it finally be given to me to be the servant
and minister of Christ the consoler,
the minister of Christ the redeemer,
the minister of Christ the healer,
the liberator,
the enricher,
the strengthener.
To be able, through you, to help many;
to console, liberate and give them courage;
to bring them light not only for their spirit
but also for their bodies;
and bring, as well, other helps to the soul and body
of each and every one of my neighbours.
I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

44 Jesuit Litany
Louis McCabe SJ and Philip Steele SJ

Ignatius Loyola, our holy founder, man of great desires and perfect humility, pray for us. 
Francis Xavier, courageous warrior ever seeking new souls for Christ, pray for us.
Peter Faber, first companion of Ignatius and cherished friend of all, pray for us.
Stanislaus Kostka, of ready heart and single mind, pray for us.
Francis Borgia, nobleman of poverty, model of indifference, pray for us.
Edmund Campion, fearless orator and source of courage to the persecuted, pray for us.
Aloysius Gonzaga, consolation and care for the sick and the dying, pray for us.
Robert Southwell, prisoner-poet of comfort and strength, pray for us.
Peter Canisius, scholar, builder, and teacher of little children, pray for us.
Nicholas Owen, clever carpenter, companion loyal to the death, pray for us.
Alphonsus Rodriquez, mystical friend, model of hospitality, pray for us.
Robert Bellarmine, rich of mind yet poor of spirit, pray for us.
John Berchmans, single-hearted student, model of simplicity, pray for us.
John Francis Regis, compassionate confessor, rekindler of burnt-out faith, pray for us.
Isaac Jogues, trusting missionary, obedient unto death, pray for us.
John de Brebeuf, lover of the cross and the name of Jesus, pray for us.
Peter Claver, tireless lover of the poor and the powerless, pray for us.
Claude La Colombière, faithful servant and perfect friend of the loving heart of Christ, pray for us.
Gerard Manley Hopkins, catcher of fire and crafter of words, pray for us.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, mystical lover of all that is and all that is to be, pray for us.
Rutilio Grande, devoted pastor of the poor and the oppressed, pray for us.
Karl Rahner, professor of prayer and loyal servant of the church, pray for us.
Ignacio Ellacuria and companions, fearless and faithful proclaimers of the Good News in the face of persecution, pray for us.
Pedro Arrupe, grace-filled leader of renewal and rededication, pray for us.

Almighty and ever-watchful God,
Lord of the heavens above and the earth below,
your divine goodness created us in love from every region.
Your divine wisdom placed us in the chaos and darkness as:

poets and singers
engineers and schoolmasters
scholars and pastors
tailors and gardeners
builders and administrators
artists and lovers.

Your divine providence called us into the company of your son Jesus. Therefore, we devote all our energies to your divine majesty
to bring order into our world, to make it fertile, and to bless it.
We pledge you the hours of our lives
and the use of our deaths
through our Mother,the Lady Mary,
and through our King and good brother, Jesus.
Amen.

45 Easter Candle Prayer
Adrian Porter SJ

God our Father,
as we light this Easter candle,
we give thanks for your Son, Jesus,
whom you raised from the dead.
May his light shine in our minds and hearts.
And may we share in his life.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

46 Advent Prayers
Adrian Porter SJ
Resources for Advent

Prayer for the Blessing of the Advent Wreath

Father,
as each year comes round anew,
we look forward
to the coming of your Son
and recall his first coming
in the stable at Bethlehem.
We ask your blessing
on this advent wreath +
which reminds us of your gift
of Christ our light.
Bless each of us and make us
more Christ-like this Christmas.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Lighting of the Advent Candles

Lord,
as we prepare to celebrate
the birth of your son,
Jesus Christ,
this Christmas,
we pray that we will welcome him into our hearts.
As the light of our advent wreath
grows stronger,
week by week,
make us strong in following him
in the love and the peace
we show to others.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

47 Christmas Prayers
Adrian Porter SJ
Resources for Christmas

These prayers were written for a school carol service to follow each of the Christmas readings but could be used in other settings also.

Isaiah 9:1-9 (The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light)

Father,
through all the ages
you have called your people from darkness into light,
making their gladness greater
and their joy increase.
As we celebrate a child born for us,
a son given to us,
make the light of Christ bright in our own hearts
that we may once more bring peace and reconciliation
to our families,
our communities,
and to our world.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Luke 1:26-38 (The Annunciation)

Father,
opening her heart to the power of your Holy Spirit,
the virgin Mary was covered with your shadow
and she conceived a child most holy,
and he was called Son of God.
Open our hearts this Christmas time
to the presence of your Spirit working in us
that we may rejoice in your favour,
and bring again the Christ-child into our world.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Luke 2:1-7 (The Birth of Christ)

Father,
Jesus, your Son, was of David’s royal house and line
yet there was no room for him at the inn
and he was laid in a manger
with the ox and ass as company.
In our celebrations this Christmas,
let us not forget the poor and the lonely,
the homeless and those fleeing poverty and persecution
and, in thought and deed, share our riches with them.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Luke 2:8-20 (The Shepherds)

Father,
you sent angels to the shepherds
as they watched their flocks by night,
bringing them news of great joy:
a Saviour born to us, who is Christ the Lord.
May we not be afraid to share with all whom we meet
the good news of your salvation,
peace and God’s favour for everyone who hears it
and ponders it in their heart.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Matthew 2:1-12 (The Wise Men)

Father,
the Wise Men saw the star as it rose
and it filled them with delight;
and they came to do the Christ-child homage
offering him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
from their treasures.
May we follow your signs and wonders
in our everyday world,
as they reveal the presence of Christ to us
in those around us.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Father,
shepherds and kings witnessed the birth of Jesus
at Bethlehem
and departed with good news for all people of good will.
With each passing year,
as we rejoice anew at the coming of Christ,
may we deepen our understanding
of the gift of your Son
who is your compassion and mercy,
your grace and salvation,
your repeated offer of hope
for the whole world.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

John 1:1-14 (And the Word was made flesh)

Father,
from all eternity
your Word is with you
and is you,
and all that is
came into being through your Word.
Yet, in the fullness of time,
this same word became flesh,
one like us,
and lived among us,
the glory of a father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
May we, once again this Christmas,
come silently in wonder and awe
as your life and light,
is given to us:
Jesus the Lord.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

48 The Grail Prayer
The Grail

Lord Jesus,
I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to go your way.
I give you my eyes to see as you do.
I give you my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my mind that you may think in me.
I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.
Above all, I give you my heart
that you may love in me your Father
and all mankind.
I give you my whole self that you may grow in me,
so that it is you, Lord Jesus,
who live, and work, and pray in me.
Amen.