“Vocation” – Whole School Prayer Resources

Thank you to 10N for creating this week’s resources!

We invite you start our time of prayer today by making the sign of the cross…
In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

The fourth Sunday of Eastertide is always celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday and also marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

A vocation is a calling from God and the church believes that everyone has a calling from God to love and serve. Vocations Sunday focuses on praying for vocations within the Church and encourages people to reflect on what God may be calling them to in their own lives.

In this week’s WOTW video, we explore what it means to live out your vocation as a student in today’s world. A vocation isn’t just a distant goal; it is the way we hear and act on God’s invitation today.

To help you practice “hearing and acting” on your vocation this week, complete this 5-minute activity as a form group:

1. Be still – Begin with 1 minute of silence.
   
2. Ask God – In your head, ask the Good Shepherd: “Who needs me today?” or “Where can I do my best today?”
   
3. Listen – Stay quiet and listen in prayer. You might hear a thought, a feeling, or nothing at all — that’s okay. Learning to listen to God takes time, especially in a noisy world.
   
4. Respond – Make a small promise to yourself about how you will act today to love and serve others better.

Let us pray…

Lord, help us to be like the sheep who know the Shepherd’s voice. Open our ears to hear Your call in the middle of our busy school day, and give us the courage to act on it with kindness and hard work.
Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross…

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

We invite you start our time of prayer today by making the sign of the cross…
In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

Following Good Shepherd Sunday, we remember that every vocation begins with a voice.
But in a world full of noise, how do we hear it?

Sometimes we need a kind of spiritual awakening — a moment when our inner “ears” are opened, and we begin to notice what God is calling us towards and what He dreams for our lives.

We hear these words from the prophet Jeremiah:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to give you a future and a hope.”

Music has a special way of reaching us beyond our busy thoughts and speaking to our hearts.
As you listen, try to become aware of God speaking quietly within you.

It’s not always easy – school life is busy and there can be a lot of pressure — but even in the noise, God continues to call us.

As the song plays, please get comfortable where you are.
You may:

• watch the lyrics on the screen,
• rest your head on the desk, or
• take out your prayer journal and finish any previous pages.

Please leave the vocation page blank this week.
(10N has a separate journal task to complete later this week.)

To conclude today’s time of prayer, we invite you to join in with a call and response prayer, choose a leader and everyone else can join in with the response:

Call and Response

Leader: Lord, help us to listen.
All: Lord, help us to respond.

Leader: Lord, speak in the silence.
All: We are listening.

Leader: Guide us in our choices today.
All: Help us to trust Your way.

Leader: Send us where we are needed.
All: Here we are, Lord.

Let us pray…

Lord, we thank You for the gift of music that stirs our hearts. In the quiet moments and in the rising song, Awake our souls to the beauty of Your plan for us. Help us to shake off the sleep of indifference And listen with “hearing” hearts to the vocation You have set before us. May our lives be a song of praise that never ends.

Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Good morning! We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

On Sunday, the Priests in the diocese were encouraged to share their vocation story. Below are some videos from priests in the diocese of Nottingham.

As you watch the videos, have a think about where you think God is calling you. What skills and gifts do you have? How can you make a positive difference to other people’s lives? Have you ever felt some of the feelings that our video speakers share?

With the people around you reflect on the questions below:

• Father Wilfred says we should listen to what our heart says rather than “external factors.” What are the biggest “noises” or pressures (like social media, family expectations, or money) for you what are the biggest pressures and distractions you face?
  
• Father Wilfred’s vocation was “nurtured” by being part of a community from childhood. What communities are you part of (sports teams, clubs, faith groups, scouts) that help you discover your strengths and who you are meant to be?
  
• Not Just for Priests: In the video, Fr Wilfred explains that vocation is for everyone; married, single, or religious. If a “vocation” is simply “God’s dream for your life,” what do you think God’s dream is for you during your time at this school?

Here is another video from a parish priest in the Nottingham Diocese – Fr Lim, if you have time to watch more…

Let us pray for all clergy of the Nottingham Diocese and one another as we each search for our Vocations…

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Good morning, Happy Friday! Let us begin by making the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Today, we’re inviting you to do something a bit different in your prayer journals.

You’re going to write a letter to your future self — 10 years from now.

By then, life may look very different. You could be studying, working, learning a trade, travelling, or figuring things out as you go. You may be facing big decisions about who you want to be and how you want to live your life.

There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Be honest. Be yourself. You can use the prompts below to help you begin.

Letter to My Future Self (10 years on)

1. Don’t lose this about yourself
What is one thing you enjoy doing right now that makes you feel calm, happy, or fully yourself?
Write it down — and remind your future self not to forget it.

2. Listening above the noise
What is one thing you’ve learned recently about listening — to God, to others, or to what’s right — rather than just following the noise or pressure around you?

3. A prayer for future you
Write a short prayer for yourself in 10 years.
What do you hope you have the courage to do?
What kind of person do you hope you’ve become?

4. If you ever feel lost…
If your future self is feeling unsure, stuck, or overwhelmed, what would you want to say to them now?
What do you believe about God’s plan for their life — even when things don’t go as expected?

Let us pray…

Lord,

You are the Good Shepherd who calls each of us by name.

Thank You for the example of people like Father Wilfred,

who show us that a life lived from the heart is a life of joy.

In the busyness of our school day, help us to quiet the “external noise”

so that we can hear the music of our own souls.

Awaken us to the talents You have given us,

and give us the courage to use them for the good of others.

Whether we are called to lead, to serve, to listen, or to create,

may we walk the path You have set before us with a happy and content heart.

Amen.

Let us finish our prayer with the Sign of the Cross…

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy