Prayer at St James's
What is Prayer?
Whether people have a faith or no faith, here at St James’s we believe in the power of prayer. It is the ability to be able to connect spiritually that enables us to flourish and grow.
Christians describe prayer as a conversation with God. Christians believe that God created everyone to be in relationship with him and that he loves to hear from each one as often as possible. God has made himself know to many who have reached out to him with an open heart.
Prayer can be silent, sung or said out loud. It can use set words or a person’s own words.
In prayer, Christians lift their minds and hearts to God. There are many different types of prayer, including:
Adoration – praising God for his greatness and admitting dependence on him.
Confession – owning up to sin and asking for God’s forgiveness.
Thanksgiving – thanking God for his many blessings
Petition – asking God for something e.g. healing, courage, wisdom
Intercession – asking God to help others who need it, e.g. the sick, poor those suffering war.
Prayer at St James’s
As a Church of England school, with a distinctive Christian ethos, we ensure that all those who wish to do so have regular opportunities to pray, be still and reflect. We have daily collective worship which includes opportunities to pray and is always accompanied by the option to reflect.
There are also prayer areas in classrooms and an outdoor Stillness Space.
Pupils talk about the value of prayer and reflection both in formal and informal contexts and how being still and reflective in their own lives can be helpful.
How do we include different faiths?
All faiths are equally welcome here at St James’s CE Primary. We welcome and celebrate diversity. This includes respecting and learning about different prayer rituals.
