The Diocese of Blackburn has committed to a year of prayer for growth and renewal starting in Advent 2024. Together with schools and churches across the Diocese we will be taking part in this year of prayer. Each Monday, during Collective Worship, we will introduce the prayer focus for the week and the focus will be shown on our website so families can also join in from home.  

Week commencing 14th July 2025

Counting your blessings Remind them about last week’s prayer for people who don’t have clean water to drink. Ask everyone to put their thumbs up - that’s one thing we can be thankful for - clean water. Ask the children for other ideas - try to find ones that apply to everyone. Once you reach five things, suggest they go on to think of 5 more (using their other hand) that are things they are personally thankful for. Play some music whilst they think. Once most people have 10 fingers up say a prayer:- “Lord when we start to count our blessings we realise we have so much and are often forgetful when it comes to saying thank you. We are really grateful for these five things that we all have (everyone put that hand in the air) and we are also thankful for these 5 things that we’ve just thought of (put other hand in the air). You are a generous God and everything good comes from you. Thank you. Amen.”

Week commencing 7th July 2025

Praying for the World Bring in a globe or a big world map. Ask the children about the countries they have visited. Without causing the children undue anxiety, explain that in some countries there isn’t enough food and clean water. Choose carefully what to highlight, knowing your children and their parents’ expectations. Pray for the world:- “Dear God there are so many places where I’ve never been. But You are everywhere and can see what’s happening in Australia as well as seeing what we are doing now. Please help people in countries where they don’t have enough to eat and drink. Help rich countries like ours to be better at sharing what we have. God of love, may every person know Your love and help today. Amen.”

Week commencing 30th June 2025

David’s Prayer Remind the children about the life of David - shepherd, musician, song writer, warrior, king. See who remembers anything about Psalm 23. This time we are looking at a song about God in Psalm 98. David thinks about the different instruments he will use to praise God. Ask the children who play an instrument to stand up. Then ask everyone for suggestions of instruments. Play it as “skittles” - children have to sit down if their instrument is named. It’s a chance to see who plays something less known about, as they will be standing at the end. Here it is rephrased to make it into a simple prayer:- “Lord I am bringing you a new prayer all about the incredible things you have done. You saved us and showed us what was right. You are loving and always faithful. May all the earth shout for joy and make music to you God. I want to use all these instruments to make glorious music to worship you. May the sea and the rivers, the mountains and all the people praise you Lord. Amen.”

Week commencing 23rd June 2025

Thanking God for favourite animals Using the image of six animals ask the children to choose their favourite. They may, of course, prefer one that isn’t on the picture. From these six take a vote to discover which one is most popular. Point out how it’s important not to think that your choice is better than someone else’s - we are just different and like different things. Say a prayer of thanks:- “God thank you for the amazing variety of animals you have created - the ones in the oceans and the ones in the sky, those that crawl on the ground and those that leap through the trees. Thank you for their different colours, calls and characters. We still have so many more creatures to learn about - it’s very exciting. Help us to care for all living things and look after the planet that we share with them. Amen.”

Week commencing 16th June 2025

Thanking God for favourite places Using the picture of different scenes encourage the children to think about the places that make them feel most happy. It might be something generic like being “by the sea” or it might be a favourite chair in an aunty’s house that is cosy. They will have more than one favourite place and that’s good too. Encourage them to think about outdoor spaces that are healthy and show us something of God’s creativity. Pray together:- “Thank you God for all the different types of places I can visit. For mountains, and beaches, for woodlands and countryside. Thank you for places where I feel welcome and at home and for the people who make those places so nice to visit. Thank you for the beauty of your world, help me to keep on seeing beautiful places and giving you thanks. Amen.”

Week commencing 9th June 2025

Make me a channel of your peace Some think this prayer was written by Saint Francis of Assisi who lived 800 years ago, but there’s no actual proof. It is a prayer for peace used a lot in World War 1 and World War 2 and was put to music so that it could be sung in churches today. You could sing or say this version from the song:- “Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring your love. Where there is injury your pardon Lord and where there’s doubt true faith in you. Amen.”

Week commencing 2nd June 2025

Prayer Bunting Give each child a paper triangle with 2 holes punched in the top and a pen/pencil as they arrive. Talk about the sort of things that make you feel thankful. Ask the children for ideas then play some upbeat music while the children write a prayer or draw a picture of something they are thankful to God for on their triangle. At the end of worship give each class some string and ask each class to make their bunting. This could be displayed as a whole school of thankful prayers in a shared space - or in each classroom.

Week commencing 19th May 2025

A prayer to know God’s massive love In the same letter to Ephesus where Paul writes about armour, he also tells the church about his prayer for them. He wanted them to know how big God’s love is. What’s the biggest thing you can think of (children can share ideas)? Paul tries to put into words the size of God’s love. Let’s say it as a prayer:- “I pray that we may know God’s strength and God’s power at work in our lives by His Holy Spirit. I pray that Jesus would dwell in our hearts and that we would all be rooted in God’s love. May all Christians know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is, and that this love is bigger than our imaginations. Amen.”

Week commencing 12th May 2025

Praying as we put on the armour of God Paul writes a letter to a church in Ephesus about putting on God’s armour. It’s another picture or metaphor to help us understand how God gives us things to protect us. We find it in Ephesians chapter 6 verses 13 to 18. Let’s say it as a prayer today:- “Lord help me to put on all your armour so I can stand strong and know your goodness. Help me to put on the belt of truth - knowing what is right and wrong; the breastplate of righteousness - guarding my heart; the shoes of the gospel - so I can share your good news everywhere I go; the shield of faith - helping me to trust you when trouble comes; the helmet of salvation - knowing in my mind that you saved me, and to help me to keep on praying. Amen.”

Week commencing 5th May 2025

Praying for someone in need Do you know anyone who is sad or in trouble? It might be a neighbour, relative or friend, or someone you have seen in the news. There are people living in our country from other countries because they need a safe place to stay. Our doctors and nurses need our prayers as they are very busy, and our police and ambulance drivers need our prayers as they are often over-worked and face difficult circumstances. Think of one person in need and let’s pray for them. “Lord there are loads of people who need your help, but I bring you just one person and ask that you will answer their prayers. Bring them help and hope, a new start or a better solution. Thank you God that you know all about them and know exactly what they need. Thank you that I can trust you with them. Help them today I pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Week commencing 28th April 2025

The Lord’s Prayer Jesus’ friends - the disciples - asked him to teach them how to pray. Jesus told them this simple prayer that is used in churches today all over the world. Let’s say it together and pause between each phrase to think about what we are saying. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name (What kind of names is God called - King, Shepherd, Saviour,...), thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (How would it look of everyone lived as though God was in charge?) . Give us this day our daily bread (What things do you actually need today?). And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us (Can you think of someone you need to forgive? Or perhaps someone you should say sorry to?). Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Are you sometimes tempted to do things that are wrong? Ask God in your heart to help you choose what is right.). For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Week commencing 21st April 2025

Giving thanks for the robe of righteousness Sometimes the Bible uses pictures or metaphors to help us understand things. Just like the clothes of compassion and kindness in Colossians chapter 3, there is a robe of righteousness in the Old Testament. Invite a child to volunteer to wear a robe (any large piece of material) at the front to illustrate. A man called Isaiah thanks God for giving him a robe of righteousness to wear. It’s as though God gives us his royal clothes. Only he is truly right and good, we will always do things wrong. But Jesus makes it possible to put on His royal robe and be seen as pure and good like him in God’s eyes. “Thank you Jesus that you make it possible to for me to put on a robe of righteousness. We have just celebrated Easter, and remembered when you took all our sin on yourself. It was as though you took our dirty, messy clothes and gave us special, royal, beautiful clothes instead. You are so kind and generous. Help us to be grateful for your goodness to us. Amen.”

Week commencing 31st March 2025

Jesus prays for us

Easter is coming up and when Jesus knew he was about to die on a cross and rise again after 3 days he prayed for his friends and he prayed for us too. He prayed that we would know God,

be kept safe, be united together and have love for each other, just as God and Jesus love each other. How wonderful that he thought of us when he was about to face so much

suffering. “Thank you Lord for your prayer for us. We are so glad you showed us what God is like when

you came to Earth, and that you wanted us to love each other and love God, just as you love

God. May this world be blessed with people who follow you and your ways, bringing light and

hope and love. Amen.”

Week commencing 24th March 2025

Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane Give each child a cut out leaf and a pen/pencil as they come in. We are in the season of Lent. Lent prepares us for Easter. When Jesus was preparing for Easter he knew the best thing he could do was pray. He liked to pray in a garden sometimes. He took three of his friends to pray with him, but they kept falling asleep. He prayed about what was on his mind. What’s on your mind? You can write your prayer on the leaf as we play some quiet music. If you don’t want to write then just draw a picture to share with Jesus what’s on your mind. You can keep these private or you can give them in at then end and we will make a big tree display of all the prayers given in. If you can’t think of anything then maybe thank Jesus for Easter time.

Week commencing 17th March 2025

Emojis

Have a look at the emojis, can you name the different emotions shown? Think of 2 people you know who are feeling different emotions. Do you know someone who is poorly or someone who has just achieved something brilliant? Let’s think of them as we pray.

“Lord we know that our families and friends have all kinds of things going on. We bring to you those people we know who are sad or worried, especially any who are not well. Help them to know your love and peace. May they find strength and hope in you. And Lord we thank you that some people we know have had exciting news - maybe a new baby or passing exams or just finishing a jigsaw puzzle. Thank you that we can celebrate with them. Help us to be aware today of how people are feeling in our classrooms, on the playground and at home.

Amen.”

Week commencing 10th March 2025

Action prayer

A prayer for your love to grow

It’s good to try and memorise bits of the Bible. Using actions can help. This is a prayer Paul said in his letter to the church in Philippi.

“This is my (point to yourself) prayer (praying hands) for you (point outwards). That your (point outwards again) love (make heart with thumbs and first fingers) will grow (move hands apart) more (apart further) and more (and further) and you (point outwards) will see

(hands shielding eyes) the difference (both palms upwards in front of you) between good (one thumb up) and bad (other thumb down) and will choose the good (thumb up pushed out to arms length). Amen.”

Week commencing 3rd March 2025

Praying for Compassion

Compassion isn’t just a feeling, it’s an action. When Jesus had compassion for the crowds He didn’t just feel sorry for them, He stopped and healed their sick and talked to them and told them about God’s love. What organisations do you know that are compassionate? Groups like “Christian Aid” and “Tear Fund” do what they can to make a difference to people who need help. Is there some way you can make a difference? Ask God to help you be compassionate today.

“Lord thank you for showing me what compassion looks like. Today as I work and play help me to be aware of anyone who needs me to help. May I not just feel sorry for people today but do something, however small, to make a difference. Amen.”

Week commencing 24th February - Where are you today?

“Lord thank you that you understand that sometimes I am happy and confident and sometimes I am sad or scared. However I feel today help me to remember that you care and you know what’s best for me. Help me not to bottle up my feelings and to remember that when I am sad it won’t last forever. Amen.”

Week commencing 10th February - The Lord is my Shepherd

The Psalms are songs and are found in the middle of the Bible. There are 150 and lots of them were written by a man called David. What can you remember about David? The most famous Psalm or song David wrote was about God being like a shepherd. We are going to use it as a prayer today:-

“Lord you are my shepherd, I don’t need anything else. If I were a sheep you’d give me green fields to lie down on and calm rivers to drink from. You help me to feel loved. You guide me on the right paths because you are always good. Even when I feel like I’m in a dark valley, I don’t need to be afraid, you are always with me, protecting me. You give me so many good things and I know that your goodness and love are always with me and one day I will be with

you forever. Amen.”

Week commencing 3rd February - Thanking God for my talents

Do you know what you are good at? Some of you can answer that straight away – you may be arty or sporty or good at Maths, English or science. Some of you are very good at caring for others and others are very good at listening or tidying or helping. Some of you love exploring outdoors or looking at nature. Pick one thing and let’s thank God for it.

“Dear God thank you that you give everyone talents. I pray that I use my talent to help others. May I keep on practicing it. And Lord there are probably tonnes of talents I haven’t

discovered yet. Help me to have more opportunities to have a go at new things. Whatever I do Lord, help me to do it with a loving and caring attitude. Amen.”

Week commencing 27th January 2025

Praying for friends with our toes

Can you think of five people who are your friends? Keeping your shoes and socks on see if you can wiggle just your big toe. That’s easy enough. Wiggling the others individually is very tricky so just wiggle them together but think about toe 2, now toe 3, toe 4 and now your little toe. Let’s name each toe after our best friends. Let’s pray:

“Big toe - thank you God for ______ I pray that they will have a happy day today.

Toe 2 - thankyou God for ________ please help them have a successful day.

Toe 3 - thank you God for ______ I pray that they will know your love and peace.

Toe 4 - thank you God for _______ please help them to know they are appreciated.

Little toe - thank you God for ________ may their day be full of laughter and fun. Amen.”

Week commencing 20th January - Famous prayer: Serenity Prayer

Serenity is a funny word - it’s about peace and calmness, being untroubled. In the 1930s, that’s almost 100 years ago, a man called Reinhold Niebuhr wrote a prayer that has continued to be adapted and used by many organisations. It’s a prayer about having wisdom to know when you should step up and help, and when you shouldn’t. What can we do to make the world a better place? What sort of things might we need to ask a grown up about?

“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. Amen.”

Week commencing 13th January 2025

Responsibility

What are your responsibilities? What do you do to make sure things run smoothly or everyone achieves their goals? Do you have duties at school or at home? When we are good at our responsibilities, working our hardest, being efficient and conscientious, everyone benefits. If you do your tasks with a smile it makes everyone feel

better.

“Father thank you that you give us things to do that help others. Lord keep my eyes open today to see what others’ need and to be quick to play my part so that everyone in my school and home can thrive. Amen.”

Week commencing 6th January 2025

There is a letter in the Bible that Paul writes to a church about what they wear. He doesn’t mean choosing the right coloured socks! He talks about putting on all the characteristics that make us more like Jesus. As the prayer is read, pretend you are putting on your clothes:

Colossians chapter 3 verse 12 as a prayer.

“Lord help me today to wear the socks of compassion so that I go where people need me (pretend to pull on socks),

the vest of kindness - nice and close to my heart (pretend to put on a vest),

the hat of humility so I remember to think of others (pretend to put on a hat),

The gloves of gentleness to keep my hands from harm (pretend to put on gloves)

The pyjamas of patience to help me to wait quietly. Amen.”

Week commencing 16th December 2024

As we get close to Christmas we think about the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her that she has been chosen to have God’s baby. God is coming into the world and people will be able to see Him and hear Him, touch Him and learn from Him. He is coming to save people and Mary feels very honoured to be chosen. After the news sinks in she sings a song of praise to God - singing to God is another way of praying. Part of her song goes a bit like this:

“God your name is holy. You show mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve you. You have done mighty things by your power. You have raised up the humble. You have filled the hungry with good things. Thank you Lord. Amen.”
 

Week commencing 9th December 2024

In many churches, prayers are used that come straight from the Bible.

How much can you remember about the Bible? How many books/parts etc? This week’s prayer is a blessing that comes up lots of times in the Psalms but we first find it in Numbers chapter 6 verses 24 to 26.

‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’

Week commencing 2nd December 2024

A prayer for peace

Can you link your thumbs together to make the shape of a dove?

Jesus is called ‘The Prince of Peace’

He wants everyone to get along.

Together we pray ‘Prince of peace – we pray for places in the world where people need peace. Help us all to try and understand each other. Give us the ability to be peacemakers. May broken friendships be healed. Give us better understanding of your love and forgiveness. May today be a day when peace dwells in our classrooms and our homes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.'