Spirituality, Reflection and Prayer

Children's spiritual development is key at Forest & Sandridge School. We want children to develop a clear sense of themselves, others and the beyond this by the time they leave our school. Please see our policies for RE, spirituality and collective worship to read more about how we do this on a daily basis.

At Forest & Sandridge School we give children and adults the opportunity to articulate and explore their spiritual development to enable them to flourish in this area.

What is meant by Spirituality?

We recognise that the concept of spirituality is difficult to define however to have a shared vision for spirituality as a school we have worked with all stakeholders to work towards a shared understanding of what spirituality means to use at Forest and Sandridge and how we support everyone to develop this within our school. At Forest & Sandridge CE Primary School we aim to give all children opportunities to think about themselves, others, beauty and creation and the world beyond. We encourage children to become independent thinkers and wonderers. We model an environment of inclusion and respect. We allow children the space, process, imagination, relationships, intimacy and trust to be spiritual beings.

Spirituality concerns a person's relationship with themselves, with others, with God (or the transcendent), and with nature and the environment. These four elements: self; others; transcendence and beauty form the basis of our work with children in developing a strong sense of spirituality.

It is also vital that all of the adults in school see the need to develop their own spirituality for their own well-being, so that they can effectively support and help our children and each other.

The Four Elements

Self

Awareness of feelings; ability to reflect and express
Awareness of our uniqueness; happiness with who we are
Gratitude for the things we have and the person we are
Exploration of personal faith
Development of imagination and creativity

Others

Empathy and understanding; respect, tolerance
To love and be loved.
Making a difference; duty

Transcendence (Beyond)

Encountering/experiencing God (having a sense of what lies beyond the material/physical)
Ability to formulate and discuss the 'Big Questions' (e.g about life, death, suffering, nature of God)
Opportunities for prayer, connecting with God
Making sense of the world

Wonder and beauty

Developing a sense of awe and wonder
Enjoying the miracles of everyday life
Taking time for what really matters
Appreciating beauty in art, music, nature

Prayer

Prayer is a central part of our Christian distinctiveness at school. Children are taught about what prayer is and given opportunities each day to engage in collective invitational prayer, reflection, silent prayer and their own personal prayer if they choose to. Children often choose to pause and offer a prayer in their class reflection areas or our central school prayer area. We also explore BIG QUESTIONS with children.

If you have any prayer requests please post them in the post box in the main entrance. We will pray about all requests received during worship and in our Big Questions Exploration and Prayer sessions. If you wish your request to remain confidential, please make this clear. These requests will be passed directly to Rev Francis for her personal prayer.

So what is Prayer?

Talking to God about anything on your mind.

Why do Christians pray?

Christians believe God hears and answer prayers. God says: "Call to me and I will answer you" Jeremiah 33:3

Who can pray?

Anyone and at any time!

What can I pray for?

We can thank God for good things.

We can praise him for the great things he has done, the world he has created and anything else!

We can say sorry when we get things wrong.

We can talk to him about things that trouble us.

We can ask God to help us or ask him for things we need.

Where can I pray?

Anywhere and at any time. You don't need to be in worship or in church. You don't need to close your eyes or put your hands together. Christians believe God hears us wherever we are and whenever we speak to him.

When you aren't sure what to pray...

Here are a few simple prayers that you could use to pray for yourself, your friends or your family. Each is introduced with a verse from the Bible.

Saying sorry - Colossions 3:13 'Forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven you'
- Dear Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the times that I get it wrong. Please help me to have the courage to get it right, to show compassion to others just like you did. Amen
Feeling lonely - Joshua 1:9 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God goes with you wherever you go.
- Loving God, I feel lonely and a little lost. Please be close to me and send people to be close to me and take care of me. Amen
Feeling thankful - Psalm 86:12 'I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.'
- Thank you, Lord Jesus, for everything you give to us. For our friends, our families, our food and our homes. Amen
Feeling sad or worried - 1 Peter 5:7 'Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you.'
- Dear God, thank you know and understand everything, even when I feel frightened or sad. Help me to trust you because you love me and have promised to be with me always. Amen.
Feeling poorly - Isaiah 41:10 ' "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'
- I feel poorly, Lord. Please help me to feel better soon. Help me not to be worried but to trust in you. Amen
At mealtimes - James 1:17 'Every good and perfect gift is from above'
- Thank you Lord for all the good things you give us. Thank you for our food. Help us enjoy it! Amen
At bedtime - Psalm 121:5-6 'The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.'
- Dear Lord, keep me safe while I sleep and help me have a good rest with happy dreams. Amen

Our School Prayer

Dear Lord

Help us in this school to be patient, loving and kind.

Help us to think of others and not hurt them by the things we say or do.

Help us always to tell the truth and do what we know is right.

Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your Kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom,

the power and the glory are yours.

Now and forever.

Amen.

Class Prayers written by the children

Reception

Dear Lord,

We are hopeful for a happy and fun start to school.

We hope to make lots of new friends and we thank you

for our beautiful school.

Amen

Year 1

Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to have a good education. Thank you for giving us the strength to get through our work and day even when things get hard. Encourage us to make the right choices and to be the best we can be. Please forgive us if we make some mistakes. Help us to follow our core school values; to be compassionate, to show respect, to be courageous in all we do and to be humble.

Amen.

Year 2

Dear Lord,

Amen.

Year 3

Dear God,

Thank you for helping us be good learners in school so that we can get ready for the future. Help us to be kind to others so that we can nourish our relationships and develop great friendships. We hope for happiness and for our potential and dreams to be realised. We hope that our futures will be will be bright as you guide us through our journey of adventures in life.

Year 4

Dear God

Thank you for the gift of friendship as this helps us to feel joyful. Thank you for the opportunity to learn lots of new things at school because it will help us get ready for the future. We hope that our futures will be bright as you guide us through our journey of adventures in life.

Amen