Religious Education Part One- Final Portfolio- Vanessa Persichilli

6.3 Prayer Service

Task: Design a 10–15-minute prayer service that is relevant to a Catholic school context.

End of Term Prayer Service

By: Vanessa Persichilli

Presider: Priest from the local parish

Title: End of Term

Liturgical Season: Fourth week of Ordinary time

Intended Audience: Students

Context: This is a Prayer Service for students that are taking their end of terms exams.

Opening Song: Give Thanks

Please join us as we sing the opening song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk_7wUR2Wdg

Introduction

Good morning. As we begin the exam period, let us take a few moments to pray and ask God’s blessings
on our end of term exams.

Opening Prayer

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

God of Wisdom, I thank you for the knowledge gained and the learning experiences of the semester. I
come to you this day and ask you to illuminate my mind and heart. Let your Spirit be with me as I
prepare for exams, guiding my studies, and giving me insight so that I can perform to the best of my
ability. Please grant me the strength to handle the pressure during these final days of the semester, the
confidence to feel secure in my knowledge, and the ability to keep an appropriate perspective through it
all. Help me to keep in mind what is truly important, even as I focus my time and energy on these tests
in the immediate future. Finally, may I sense your peace in knowing that I applied myself to the
challenges of this day.

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Religious Education Part One- Final Portfolio- Vanessa Persichilli

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

( http://www.aggiecatholicblog.org/2010/04/prayers-before-exams/ )

And now, let us listen to God’s word:

First Scripture Reading

A reading from the Philippians (Philippians 4:6-7)

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A6-7&version=NRSV )

Reflection:

Our God is so good; He remains faithful to us even when we make mistakes and stumble over our own
two feet. The Bible tells us in the book of James to rejoice in trials, because they help us to persevere,
and they bring us closer to Him. Have faith that the God who created the universe and knit us together
will carry us through anything that burdens us. This goes beyond mere final exams, it delves into the
trials that we will face in the world and in our daily lives. As Christians, we must accept that God never
said our lives would be easy. In fact, He tells us “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in
me. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We
will face things far more challenging than something as small as final exams, therefore we must embrace
every challenge we face and treat it as a blessing and an opportunity to grow, strengthen and mature in
our faith.

( https://www.theodysseyonline.com/7-bible-verses-encouragement-prepare-final-exams )

Musical Hymn/Song: (Sung by Choir after reflection)

This Little Light of Mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCN893hzueQ

Let us once again listen to God’s word

Second Scripture Reading:

A reading from Jeremiah (Jeremiah 17:7-8 New Revised Standard Version):

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,

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Religious Education Part One- Final Portfolio- Vanessa Persichilli

and its leaves shall stay green;

in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.

The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+17%3A7-8++&version=NRSV )

Reflection:

Placing your confidence in the Lord will only take you to higher heights. Walk confidently in who you are,
what you do and with the assurance that you will be the best person you can be after this season is
over. Confidence and belief in God and yourself will bring you strength and many other achievements in
life. There will be no opening for failure so trust that he will be by your side through it all.

(https://www.christiantoday.com/article/8-bible-verses-of-encouragement-as-you-prepare-for-final-
exams/109661.htm)

Prayer for All Our Intentions:

Let us now pause for a moment to pray to our God for one another’s exams. Let us entrust them to the
Father in the words that Jesus gave us:

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as
it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

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

Amen

(http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=216 )

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, God of Wisdom, I thank you for the knowledge gained and the learning experiences of the
semester. I come to you this day and ask you to illuminate my mind and heart. Let your Spirit be with me
as I prepare for exams, guiding my studies, and giving me insight so that I can perform to the best of my
ability. Please grant me the strength to handle the pressure during these final days of the semester, the
confidence to feel secure in my knowledge, and the ability to keep an appropriate perspective through it
all. Help me to keep in mind what is truly important, even as I focus my time and energy on these tests
in the immediate future. Finally, may I sense your peace in knowing that I applied myself to the
challenges of this day.”

Amen

(http://www.aggiecatholicblog.org/2010/04/prayers-before-exams/ )

And may Almighty God bless us: Father, Son and Holy Spirt. Amen.

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Religious Education Part One- Final Portfolio- Vanessa Persichilli

Closing Song:

God will make a Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o

General Considerations:
1. Were participants appropriately engaged?

If I was to perform this prayer service, I believe that the participants would have been appropriately
engaged. This is because I feel as if I made the server engaging by adding prayer songs and relevant
prayers for their exams. They would have also been engaged due to the PowerPoint having the service
and lyrics on the board for them to follow along with.

2. Did the order of service provide just what was essential to engage the participants?

Yes, I believe that the order of the service would have provided just what was essential to engage the
participants.

3. Was a complete presider’s version made available?

No, a complete presider’s version was not made available. Only the template attached and a
PowerPoint.

4. Should my colleagues be able to duplicate this prayer service with what they have been given?

Yes, I believe that my colleagues should be able to duplicate this prayer service with what they have
been given.

5. Was the language: inclusive; age appropriate?

Yes, the language was inclusive and age appropriate.

6. What understanding of the Paschal Mystery was conveyed?

The understanding of the Paschal Mystery that was conveyed through this prayer service was the “dying
and rising” of the old term to the new term. This death is shown through end of term exams.

7. Other comments:

I would love to use this prayer service with my students before exams or even a test.

Tip Sheet:
1) Follow the template and PowerPoint order
2) Videos are linked into the PowerPoint presentation
3) The videos all have lyrics; I did add the lyrics to the side anyways
4) Let the students be engaged
5) Have fun!

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Religious Education Part One- Final Portfolio- Vanessa Persichilli

Reference List:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o
2. http://www.aggiecatholicblog.org/2010/04/prayers-before-exams/
3. http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=216
4. https://www.christiantoday.com/article/8-bible-verses-of-encouragement-as-you-prepare-for-
final-exams/109661.htm
5. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+17%3A7-8++&version=NRSV
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCN893hzueQ
7. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/7-bible-verses-encouragement-prepare-final-exams
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk_7wUR2Wdg
9. http://www.aggiecatholicblog.org/2010/04/prayers-before-exams/
10. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A6-7&version=NRSV