PRAYER SERVICE

TEACHERS’ DAY
THEME: “Teachers, You are a Blessing!”
For this prayer service, a banner could be prepared and put on the wall
– “Teachers, You are a Blessing”
For the intercessory prayers, have students come up with the following
items: Flower petals, model of a bird, an umbrella, picture of a person
gazing upwards, and a diya or a candle.
1. INTRODUCTION
Student Prayer Leader: Teachers’, you are a blessing! We recognize in
you dear teachers a blessing of God on us. We are happy and delighted
to have you with us and celebrate your day. You are precious and we love
you. We join you in thanking God for having entrusted you with this very
delicate and precious mission of nurturing our minds, bodies, hearts, and
souls. As we begin this prayer service, we would like to call on God our
Guru, or inspiration and model to guide us through the teachers to
whose care He has entrusted us.
2. HYMN: Tumhi to mata, Pita tumhi ho…
3. TEACHERS’ INTROSPECTION
Teacher 1: 5th September is commemorated as Teachers’ Day. It is the
birthday of Dr. Radha Krishnan who willed that this day be celebrated as
Teachers’ Day. In doing so he has not only dedicated his great day to the
Nation but his person as a whole. So it is a right day to re-evaluate and
re-dedicate our lives to our noble task of teaching. Let us pause for a
while and ask ourselves – Am I really a blessing to my students; to the
Institute and the Management where I am serving? (Pause)
4. SCRIPTURE READING
Teacher 2: We have our model Teacher in God who can be imagined in
the metaphor of a Good Shepherd. As we listen to this reading, let us
reflect on the qualities of an ideal teacher.
Reading: Jn.l0:11-14 (Could be read by a teacher)
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his
sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not
belong to him, abandons the sheep as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and
runs away, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; he runs
away because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. I
am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.

5. REFLECTION
Teacher 3: A shepherd is completely dedicated to the flock which he
tends. The sheep entrusted to his care becomes for the shepherd the
single pre-occupation of his days and nights. There is never a time when
he is not with them; never a time when they are without his close
attention, guidance and leadership. When they are hungry, he feeds
them; when they are in danger, he protects them; when they are lost he
seeks them out. He is in reality the main stay and support of their very
life. God is our faithful Shepherd. He is a caring leader. He knows His
sheep by name. He gives life to His sheep and He died for His sheep.
6. SONG ON DISC
Student Prayer Leader: Let us listen to this psalm as it is played for us
on disc, placing all our trust and confidence in the Lord our Faithful
Shepherd.
SONG: Shepherd me Oh Lord
7. INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
Student Prayer Leader: We want to look up to God our Father to praise
and thank Him and pray for His blessings on each of you dear teachers –
for you are a blessing to each of us. Our response will
be: Response: “Father may they always be a blessing”
(Have 5 students to read the prayers, and 5 to carry the symbols. As
each prayer is read out, the student carrying the symbols comes in front)
a. Showers of Flower Petals: (Flower petals to be thrown) Father, we
acknowledge your blessings that come down on us every day. Showers
are the fruit of our teachers’ labors. These showers soothe us, enrich us,
gladden us…. so we pray that you fill all our teaching and non-teaching
staff members with power, strength, knowledge, understanding so that
they may continue to be a blessing in all that they do. R/-
b. Glow of Light: (lamp) Father, we enjoy a blessing because of the
warmth that envelopes one’s heart and the glow of radiance it leaves
behind. It brings hope in the midst of darkness and gloom. As the lamp
burns with a glow, so may the lives of our teachers radiate warmth and
brightness to all around us. R/-
c. Bird: (model or picture of a bird) Father, blessings take one’s spirit
soaring high, with a spirit of freedom like the bird that scales the
heights. With our arms lifted high, spreading our wings of joy we rejoice
at your blessings that come to us through our teachers who help us
believe in ourselves and help us to grow. With gratitude we say. R/-
d. Gaze upwards: (A person or picture of a person gazing
upwards) Father, our blessings multiply when we gaze upwards and
count them and marvel at the great things You have in store for us. An
encouraging hand leads us towards greater aspirations. We pray for our
teachers who have taught and are still teaching in this school, bless them
and all the teachers in our country. R/-
e. Comforting Shelter: (Umbrella) Heavenly Father, the power of
blessing is the comfort and security it brings. Blessings protect us from
the sweltering heat of drudgery and the monotony of study. Like the
open umbrella that shelters us from the rain, our dear principal and
teachers understand the stress and strain of our studies. Thanking them
for their encouraging approach, we say. R/-
(Students wish each of the staff-members with flowers and a card. A
song could be sung–wishing the teachers on this their day)
8. CONCLUDING PRAYER
Student Prayer Leader: Father we pray that You accept this homage of
our love and praise. Accept our teachers who are a blessing to us. May
your blessing be their light, may your blessing be their song of love. May
your blessing strengthen their service to the community. Accept Lord our
song of thanks and praise they are your divine blessing to us all. May
this prayer rise to you, as we turn to You our Good Shepherd through
this bhajan.

today, as we celebrate our teachers, we pray:

God of Love, Thank you for every teacher who notices a child’s special gift.
Thank you for teachers who are listeners and gentle guides. Thank you for
teachers who expect much and love enough to demand more. Thank you for
the special teacher each one of us remembers.

God of Mercy, Sustain teachers who give everything they have. Strengthen
teachers who assume the blame for so many problems beyond their control.
Help exhausted teachers rest.

God of Strength, Encourage teachers to care and inspire them to nourish.

We wonder at teachers who know how to quiet a class of five year olds or
help fourth graders be empathetic. We admire teachers who enjoy middle
school writers, or teach physics or math of history. Bless the people who are
expected to accomplish these miracles and who know how to comfort children
when miracles don’t happen.

God of Justice, help and support teachers in their special calling, wherever
they teach and whatever obstacles they must face. We pray these things in
the name of our great teacher, Jesus Christ.

Amen.
Teachers Day Prayer Service at Staff Get Together Quote: Teachers who LOVE Teaching,
TEACH Children to LOVE LEARNING. Theme: ‘A child is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to
be lit’ - Hebrew Proverb Logo: ‘2 Teach is 2 Touch Lives 4 Ever’. Ritual: A. Visual on the Heart
of a Teacher - http://youtu.be/QDVECWcYtjc Event: TEACHERS DAY - 05 September.
Scripture: “You are the LIGHT of the world” Mt 5: 14 – 16 Prayer Songs: Give me oil in my lamp,
keep me burning Time: 10 - 12 minutes Requirements: Prior arrangement for the rituals A, B –
candles for each; copies to distribute. Leader, 3 Readers and choir to sing Introduction: Lighting
of the lamp: (As the Kutuvilaku is lit by 3/5 persons, all will stand.) Leader: Let us ask the Lord to
provide oil in our lamps to keep it burning to serve the children under our care as we sing ‘Give
me oil in my lamp, keep me burning ‘ Prayer song: Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning /
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning / Keep me burning till
the break of day. Chorus: Come on and Sing Hosanna, Sing Hosanna, Sing Hosanna to the
King of kings. Come on and Sing Hosanna, Sing Hosanna, Sing Hosanna to the King. Leader:
The word ‘guru’ is a Sanskrit word derived from ‘gu’ (darkness), and ‘ru’ (light). Teacher is
someone who inspires, encourages and guides pupil to be capable enough to face all the odds
of life. Teaching is the finest form of art, a meritorious profession on earth and a revered
profession in India’s ancient gurukul system. Quality of education in any educational institute
hinges on the availability and resourcefulness of good teachers. A good teacher not only
stimulates intellectual growth, instills correct attitudes and values but prepares students to be
skilled and resourceful to take initiatives and face challenges bravely in furthering the
development of self and the nation. Reader1: Dear teachers at times people have ignored and
forgotten who you really are, your dedication and passion, creativity and service as a teacher.
For every child who needs someone to trust, there is a teacher who does whatever it takes to
encourage, motivate, challenge, engage and instill love for learning. For every teacher who
inspires to build a better future for all with one child at a time, we salute and thank you.

We are here today to thank God for bestowing on you the privilege of shaping the character of
the wards in your care. ‘Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than parents,
for these only gave life, those the art of living well’ (Aristotle).Today we celebrate your presence
and power as a Teacher of our institution. Reader 2: God created teachers in His wisdom and
grace, to help students learn to make their world a better place. Teachers inspire love of wisdom
in truth to choose the enlightened path leading to the goal. Ritual A: Visuals on the Heart of a
Teacher - http://youtu.be/QDVECWcYtjc along with the song from "Taare Zameen Par"
http://youtu.be/PMBetSreYRc The Heart of a Teacher by Paula Fox The child arrives like a
mystery box...with puzzle pieces inside some of the pieces are broken or missing...and others
just seem to hide But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out...and help the child to see the
potential for greatness he has within...a picture of what he can be Her goal isn't just to teach
knowledge...by filling the box with more parts it's putting the pieces together...and creating a
work of art The process is painfully slow at times...some need more help than others each child
is a work in progress...with assorted shapes and colors First she creates a classroom...where
the child can feel safe in school where he never feels threatened or afraid to try...and kindness
is always the rule She knows that a child can achieve much more when he feels secure inside
when he's valued and loved...and believes in himself...and he has a sense of pride She models
and teaches good character...and respect for one another how to focus on strengths...not
weaknesses and how to encourage each other She gives the child the freedom he needs...to
make choices on his own so he learns to become more responsible...and is able to stand alone
He's taught to be strong and think for himself...as his soul and spirit heal and the puzzle that's
taking shape inside...has a much more positive feel The child discovers the joy that
comes...from learning something new... and his vision grows as he begins to see all the things
that he can do A picture is formed as more pieces fit...an image of the child within with greater
strength and confidence...and a belief that he can win! All because a hero was there...in the
HEART of a teacher who cared enabling the child to become much more...than he ever
imagined...or dared A teacher with a HEART for her children...knows what teaching is all about
she may not have all the answers...but on this...she has no doubt When asked which subjects
she loved to teach, she answered this way and smiled... "It's not the subjects that matter...It's all
about teaching the CHILD."

The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their
teacher.

Almighty God, We come to you today and give thanks to all our teachers.

Thank you for the way in which they give of themselves each day in the classroom,
serving and instructing the next generation of this land.

We thank you for them all now.

Father, please fill their hearts with courage now by your mighty Spirit.

Fill them with your strength, so they may rise to every challenge and not grow weary.

Fill them with your wisdom, so that they may be able to make good judgment when
guiding and helping others.

Fill them with your peace, so that when stress and anxiety comes it would not
overwhelm them.

Fill them with your joy, so that the passion they have for their subject may become an
infectious passion that spreads.

We ask all this in the wonderful name of Jesus.

`A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love
of learning’- Brad Henry Love.
Teachers` Day is a day to honour the special people in our lives who teach
us, guide us and mould us for a better tomorrow