Apostolate of Prayer Program
The Apostolate of Prayer program works to promote prayer and spiritual values and to provide opportunities to express faith in the Gospel by embracing St. Joseph's Apostolate of Prayer ministry.
We are grateful for your prayers for our children, families, staff and mission. In turn, we pray for your special intentions and blessings on those you love.
Prayer of the Week
Learning, praying every day
A common thread that weaves through every sense of spirituality is prayer. St. Joseph’s is blessed to be able to educate our students in such a way that helps them find this spiritual path in their lives.
“We pray with every class right when they enter the room,” said Joe, Mission Integration director. “We either pray as a guided meditation, offer petitions, give thanks, or simply say an Our Father.” Prayer begins many other classes in the school, as well.
Students are taught that prayer is their personal time with God, so however they want to pray is about building that relationship.
“We work hard to remind the students that there is no wrong way to pray,” said Joe. “They can pray in their head, say a prayer out loud, draw or color a picture or walk a Labyrinth. We start every year with a quick review of the ‘You, Who, Do, Through’ format.”
| YOU (Names God) | WHO (Tells what God does) |
| Rock | who is a sturdy fortress |
| Provident God | who gives me all I need |
| Jesus Christ | who saves us |
| DO (Asks for a need from God) | THROUGH (Describes how or through whom) |
| protect me in my trials | through Christ our Lord. |
| provide me with the wisdom I seek | through the blessing of your Holy Spirit |
| forgive me | through your merciful heart |
Class Prayer for Houseparents written by second grade
Jesus our Shepherd, who watches over us and protects us, we ask that you help all houseparents be the best housparents they can be. Bless the houseparents that they may teach us to be more like Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Class Prayer for Students written by third grade
Holy Spirit, who takes care of us and watches over us, help us to be nice to each other. Help those who are getting bullied. Help us to learn to the best of our ability. We pray for the teachers that they can be good role models for us and teach us so we can continue to grow in our education. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Earth Prayer
"Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you — the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.
You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things."
— Black Elk: Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux
The Great Spirit Prayer
“Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds,
whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me, I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy, myself.
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my Spirit may come to you without shame.”
— Translated by Chief Yellow Lark
Four Directions Prayer
East
All good things come from the East.
The freshening wind brings warm rain and sunshine. Each day guide us to see you in everything we do, everyone we meet. Be kind in your blessings, Lord.
South
The warming south winds bring new growth, gentle rain, healing sunshine. Bless us with enough food and the good things from the earth. As we eat nourishing food, help us to know you as the giver of all good gifts, Lord.
West
The sun sets in the West giving us glorious colors in our life. Night can sometimes be scary. The darkness can also mean calming, healing sleep. May good dreams and deep sleep cleanse us from all that is bad or evil. Renew and refresh us, O Lord.
North
North winds sometimes bring stormy weather and snow. Let your warmth in our coldness wrap us as with a blanket of love to keep away all that hurts. May all our people have warm houses and full tables against winter’s chill, Lord.
— From the Lakota Prayer Book by Fr. Charles Flood, SCJ, edited by Dn. David Nagel, SCJ
Medicine Wheel Prayer
“At the center of the medicine wheel we can see the cross, which also shows the four winds, the four directions, the beginning and the end of everything. The outer circle makes everything safe and complete.
This is your world, Lord.”
— Fr. Charles Flood, SCJ
Kateri Tekawitha Prayer
“Great Spirit! Our Father! We remember our sister Kateri. She was one of us the people of this land, this earth. It was You who led her to the woods and taught her the lessons of the cross. It was You who comforted her and strengthened her along the sacred path with your sacred way.
Lead us to your love, feed and strengthen us along your sacred way. Show us the way of Jesus, the way of Kateri. May it be our way as well!”
— Ron Zeilinger
Daily prayer is part of the fabric of St. Joseph’s Indian School. Our students and staff rely on their faith and prayer to guide them through their daily lives.
A Prayer for Courage
Great Spirit,
We all have moments that require leaps of faith.
We ask you to give us the wóohitike — courage — to take the leap,
the faith that you will guide us,
and the confidence that we will come through it
wiser, stronger, and better than before.
Amen.
— Kim S., St. Joseph's Religion teacher
A Prayer over Failure
Dear Loving God of new beginning and end,
Today I offer myself at your compassionate hands.
Make me strong and courageous to do
My duties in great faithfulness.
Drive me out of fear and discouragement
When I fall into failure.
Come Lord, as a refuge in times of my trouble.
When I pass through insults,
Be there with me as a comforter.
When I pass through criticisms,
Be there with me as a protector.
When I walk through the fires of problems,
Be there with me as a shoulder.
Dear Lord, let no flames of my failures
Take away the new hope of beginning and happiness from me.
Amen.
— Fr. Praveen Kumar Richard, SCJ
A Prayer for Friendship
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you
For being my truthful friend
and loving me at all times.
In my innermost, I know You care about me.
When you are close to me,
I am free of doubt, anger, envy and selfishness.
Lord, let your oneness with me
bring about change in me —
May my thoughts, actions and speech be always good and right.
May nothing harm, touch or separate our friendship. Amen.
— Fr. Praveen Kumar Richard, SCJ
A Prayer for Presence
Holy Spirit,
You bring peace to the restless.
Help me to notice the peace you bring to my heart.
Give me the patience to listen with understanding
to those I meet throughout my day.
With your guidance, I will find joy in the little things.
Amen.
— Kim S., St. Joseph’s Religion teacher
For more St. Joseph’s Indian School prayers, scroll through our entire list of prayers on our Facebook page.
Are You in Need of Prayer?
Perhaps you find yourself in a season of life and could use a helping hand. Please know St. Joseph’s Indian School is here to help. We welcome the opportunity to join with you in prayer.
You are welcome to send a prayer request for yourself or someone you love.
If you’ve recently lost a loved one, submit their name and a prayer tie will be created in their honor.
St. Joseph’s Prayer Builder is a tool you can use when you find yourself in need during prayer.