The back-to-school season is full of scheduling, planning, and preparation. During this time of excitement and renewed enthusiasm, why not recharge your prayer life?
Here are a few powerful prayers to fit into the nooks and crannies of life as you head back to school.
Morning offering:
Immediately upon waking or at some point in your family’s morning routine, try a morning offering to serve as your daily reminder to offer up every action of your day. There are countless beautiful morning offerings, including a Morning Prayer by St. Therese and A Child’s Morning Prayer. A classic, short, and sweet morning offering easily memorized by the whole family is here:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day
for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month.
Amen.
Traveling prayer:
A prayer before getting in the carpool can be a quick touchpoint in your day to grow in awareness of God’s providential protection. You can make it as simple as a quick Hail Mary before pulling out of your driveway or as long as a rosary on your daily commute. Consider invoking your Guardian Angel, Our Lady of the Highways, or St. Christopher as your carpool companion this school year!
Prayer before study:
Whether sitting down to a pile of homework or an important work assignment, invite the Holy Spirit to guide your work and help it bear fruit. St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Prayer before Study” is a beautiful reality check that all true understanding comes from above.
You can place the prayer inside a binder or on the back of a laptop to remind you to revisit it throughout your day. A printable prayer card from the Knights of Columbus can be found here.
Mother Teresa’s “Flying Novena”:
Mother Teresa is known for her bold determination to follow the will of God despite external obstacles. Her go-to “flying novena” is perfect for those moments when you need to implore Our Lady’s intercession for a particularly challenging circumstance, but are short on time. A flying novena is a repetition of 10 Memorares:
“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your clemency hear and answer me. Amen.”
