THE EVOLUTION OF FRIDAY MORNING PRAYER
“God, heavenly Father,
we thank you for giving us a new day and shining your light upon us.
Thank you for guiding us during our best and worst moments.
Help us to keep our hearts, minds, and souls open to you.
Give us the strength and wisdom to accomplish anything
and open your hands to watch over us.
In your name, Amen.”
– Jackeline Nerro ‘22
Heading into winter break, I had several fruitful leadership conversations with Upper Division students about gathering for prayer each Friday morning before school. This culminated with a group of 23 student-leaders, representing all grades, who were willing to be bold and courageous by leading peers and faculty in prayer. After much preparation, and unsure of who else might actually show up, we began to gather weekly on Friday, January 15th, at 7:40 a.m., on McCleary Mound.
And, to our delight, more than 50 circled up that first morning. I had put together an order of service, incorporating a variety of Scripture and prayers, a student-written reflection, with a hint of music (me clumsily strumming the guitar and singing to the best of my limited ability). We were tentative, soft-spoken, and apprehensive that morning. Much has since evolved.
With now 8 Friday mornings under our belt, along with a special Ash Wednesday gathering the morning of February 17th, there is noticeable change. We now use microphones to be heard (and overheard). Students are garnering confidence and a prayerful pace. Friends are inviting friends. Student leaders are now offering personally-selected poems, sharing personal prayer requests aloud with the group, and writing their own inspired prayers (like the one above, offered this morning by Jackeline Nerro ’22). New leaders have joined the team. Reflections have been offered by students beyond the leadership team. I have heard on many occasions how pleasant it was to begin Friday with prayers. A couple of weeks ago, a student even mentioned how she was having a difficult morning, but the gathering turned that around. And, thank God, three more musically-inclined students are now helping with strumming and singing.
The service spawned a Middle Division gathering on Ash Wednesday, structured in the same fashion, led by 18 brave Middle Division students.
The breath of the Holy Spirit is felt and seen in the faces gathered and the holiness of that time. I have witnessed a student shaking under the weight of the prayers he was offering, nerves being confronted and overcome, and testimonies to God’s presence freely offered. We have sung together, recited Psalms together, confessed our sins together, and been vulnerable with one another. We have come to know one another in a new way – a beloved and sacred way – a way more in tune with how I believe God sees us.
For many, those 15 minutes on Friday morning have become a beacon of light, sparking a movement that will surely continue to evolve. For God is always at work, stirring and inspiring and calling.
Back
we thank you for giving us a new day and shining your light upon us.
Thank you for guiding us during our best and worst moments.
Help us to keep our hearts, minds, and souls open to you.
Give us the strength and wisdom to accomplish anything
and open your hands to watch over us.
In your name, Amen.”
– Jackeline Nerro ‘22
Heading into winter break, I had several fruitful leadership conversations with Upper Division students about gathering for prayer each Friday morning before school. This culminated with a group of 23 student-leaders, representing all grades, who were willing to be bold and courageous by leading peers and faculty in prayer. After much preparation, and unsure of who else might actually show up, we began to gather weekly on Friday, January 15th, at 7:40 a.m., on McCleary Mound.
And, to our delight, more than 50 circled up that first morning. I had put together an order of service, incorporating a variety of Scripture and prayers, a student-written reflection, with a hint of music (me clumsily strumming the guitar and singing to the best of my limited ability). We were tentative, soft-spoken, and apprehensive that morning. Much has since evolved.
With now 8 Friday mornings under our belt, along with a special Ash Wednesday gathering the morning of February 17th, there is noticeable change. We now use microphones to be heard (and overheard). Students are garnering confidence and a prayerful pace. Friends are inviting friends. Student leaders are now offering personally-selected poems, sharing personal prayer requests aloud with the group, and writing their own inspired prayers (like the one above, offered this morning by Jackeline Nerro ’22). New leaders have joined the team. Reflections have been offered by students beyond the leadership team. I have heard on many occasions how pleasant it was to begin Friday with prayers. A couple of weeks ago, a student even mentioned how she was having a difficult morning, but the gathering turned that around. And, thank God, three more musically-inclined students are now helping with strumming and singing.
The service spawned a Middle Division gathering on Ash Wednesday, structured in the same fashion, led by 18 brave Middle Division students.
The breath of the Holy Spirit is felt and seen in the faces gathered and the holiness of that time. I have witnessed a student shaking under the weight of the prayers he was offering, nerves being confronted and overcome, and testimonies to God’s presence freely offered. We have sung together, recited Psalms together, confessed our sins together, and been vulnerable with one another. We have come to know one another in a new way – a beloved and sacred way – a way more in tune with how I believe God sees us.
For many, those 15 minutes on Friday morning have become a beacon of light, sparking a movement that will surely continue to evolve. For God is always at work, stirring and inspiring and calling.
Berkeley Preparatory School
Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.