A prayer for the start of another school year

Lord, with a grateful heart, we come to You to thank You for everything that You have brought into our lives the past school year.

As we start School Year 2013-1014, we bow down before You, to renew our faith, loyalty, commitment and dedication towards our work.

We continually acknowledge You as the Greatest Teacher of all times. We praise You as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, a forgiving and merciful Father that You are.

Grant us the grace of a deeply repentant heart. Forgive us for all the times that we have been selfish and proud, for the things that we have said and done which may have hurt our students, co-teachers, and all those who have worked with and for us the past school year. Forgive us, Lord, for the sins of commission or omission, for doing the things which were not in accordance with Your teachings. Pardon us, Lord, for all our mistakes and shortcomings.

Lord, we thank you for all the times that You have been there for us, through the school administration, the faculty and non-faculty staff, the maintenance personnel, and all those who have formed part of the teamwork, in our journey towards preparing our students as future professionals and good citizens of our country.

As we begin another school year, Lord, we pray that You will continue to guide us in our daily activities. Never allow us to be separated from You. Grant us good health and guide us in our directions and decisions in life. Let there always be love, peace, and harmony in our surroundings. Help us to treat everyone fairly and justly regardless of who they are. Remind us always to have good thoughts, to say good words, and to do good deeds. But most of all, to be humble all the days of our lives as pilgrims on this earth.

In all these, Lord, always remind us of Your love, and from that love, help us to build and live life with You in our hearts and minds - for always, at all times.

All these we ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord and God's Holy Spirit. Amen.