Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14

 Prayer is our way of talking to God. In prayer, we tell God what we need, we tell God we love him, and we ask God to be with us in everything we do. Sometimes we talk to God quietly in our hearts, and we know God hears us. Other times, we talk to God using words other people have written. Those people know and love God and want us to know and love him as well.

– Taken from ‘The Catholic Children’s Prayer Book’

School prayer

Written by 5 and 6 chaplains

Lord,

We come together as one family in prayer,

Small in number but big in kindness.

We thank you for our friends, our community, our staff and our families,

For the things which make us unique and special,

And the things which bring us together.

Help us to follow you, Lord,

To grow in knowledge, friendship, faith and love.

Amen.

Prayers for different ages

Those prayers marked * are ones that children are able to say from memory.

Aged 3-5

  • Sign of the cross *
  • Hail Mary
  • Our Father
  • Morning and Evening prayers
  • Prayers before and after meals
  • Simple responses at Mass
  • Greeting the Gospel (acclamation)
  • Simple litanies of thanks and praise
  • Prayerful reflection on the day
  • Prayers for the blessing of the Advent wreath
  • Prayers for the lighting of the Advent candles

Aged 5-7 All those listed above, and:

  • Sign of the cross *
  • Hail Mary*
  • Glory be to the Father*
  • Morning Offering*
  • Grace at Meals*
  • Act of Sorrow
  • Mass responses*

Age 7-11 All those listed above, and:

  • I confess*
  • Angelus*
  • Eternal rest*
  • Act of contrition*
  • The mysteries of the Rosary
  • Stations of the Cross
  • Some simple phrases from the psalms
  • Prayers at Mass:- Penitential Rite- Glory to God (Gloria)- Offertory prayers- Lamb of God- Holy holy, holy*

Useful Resources

For more information on the prayers – aged 3-5 click here for SJF chosen prayers.

For more information on the prayers – aged 5-7 click here for SJF chosen prayers.

For more information on the prayers – aged 7-11 click here for SJF chosen prayers.

For more information on the Mysteries of the Rosary – Click here

For more information on The Stations of the Cross – Click here

Also see our school Stations of the Cross video