First, I know that the week begins on a Sunday but today is a bank holiday (in the UK, at least) and so feels like a Sunday, and second I just think Mondays would be a good day to publish my prayer intentions.

Students sitting exams

For most students, May marks the start of the dreaded exams. I myself have already sat one, with another this week and then more up until the end of June. Students deserve to be in our prayers at the moment because exams are so important. In the past, you could leave school with no qualifications and still get a good enough job. Today, unskilled work pays very little – we need qualifications for everything. Because of that, the onus on students to do well is massive, which can lead to ill-health through stress.

Let’s pray that…

• Students realise that grades aren’t everything, they do not define a person.
• Parents and teachers understand that students need a break!
• The gifts of the Holy Spirit fortify everyone involved in the education process to enable success.

Those denied access to education

On the other end of the scale are those denied access to education, like people in countries where there is no universal education system. Education is the key to producing complete citizens; citizens who are intelligent, but also moral and will contribute positively to their country. With education comes prosperity and opportunity.

Let’s pray that…

• People continue to donate to charities that provide education.
• Corrupt government comes to an end.
• Someday each person will have access to equal opportunities for education.

Solidarity in Europe

Saturday, 9th May is ‘Europe Day’, a celebration of all European culture and the success of the European Union. Don’t forget, 60 years ago Germany and France were the most bitter enemies, now they are friends thanks the the EU. For those who are unaware, next month millions of European citizens will go the polls to vote for their European Parliament representatives. With the gloomy economic forecast, we must pray that Europe votes to stay together rather than move apart. Co-operation is the answer to the ‘credit crunch’ – it is essential that parties demanding European independence (i.e. UKIP) do not get elected. There’s also a more sinister risk, that parties promoting racial hatred under the guise of economic recovery might get elected (i.e. the BNP).

Let’s pray that…

• The citizens of Europe make sure they are well-informed and use their democratic right to vote.
• People understand the dangers of economic isolationism and vote against it.
• Racist people are lifted from their ignorance and change their ways; regardless of colour or creed we’re all cut from the same cloth.

That’s it for this week. I was tempted to put in something about Swine Flu, but I’m not too sure what to make of it at the moment. I’ll wait and see how it pans out.

Labels: education, europe, prayer, prayer-intentions