Prayers written by pupils at an inner city Church of England primary school are being used as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The Queen is celebrating 60 years on the throne this year with the celebrations peaking over the upcoming long weekend.
Pupils at St Matthew’s CofE primary school in Westminster were asked to compose prayers as part of the school’s contributions to this weekend’s celebrations.
Prayers
The prayers have been circulated amongst the Church of England’s 4,800 primary schools, more than 200 secondary schools and many churches. They can also be viewed online.
Emily Norman, the headteacher at St Matthew’s, said: “Celebration and thankfulness are very important values to us here at St Matthew’s.
“I am very proud of what they have produced and how these prayers are now able to be used by others throughout the country.”
Celebration
Mary Hawes, the Church of England’s National Children’s Adviser said: “The Diamond Jubilee prayers of the children from St Matthew’s have caught people’s imagination.
“They are being used in schools and churches across the country – and beyond.
“I have received a lot of feedback about the prayer by a little girl called Miracle – it seems to really go to the heart of the celebrations.”
Miracle’s prayer in full:
Dear Almighty God and giver of life.We thank you for blessing our Queen with long life.We pray that you continue to strengthen her as only you are able to doso that she may continue to reign with love and compassion.We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.Amen.