[Church of England] Prayers composed by young children at an inner city Church of England primary school are being used up and down the country as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Pupils at St Matthew’s CofE Primary, Westminster were asked to create prayers to mark the Diamond Jubilee as part of the Church School’s family contribution to this weekend’s celebrations.

The resources are available online here but have also been circulated around the Church of England’s 4,800 primary schools, more than 200 secondaries and many churches.

Headteacher Emily Norman said; ‘Our children, who come from a wealth of religious and ethnic backgrounds, relished the opportunity to write prayers in honour of the Queen. They were all able to choose qualities they admire in the Queen and give thanks for who she is. Celebration and thankfulness are very important values to us here at St Matthew’s. I am very proud of what they have produced and how these prayers are now able to be used by others throughout the country.’

Mary Hawes the CofE’s National Children’s Adviser said: “The Diamond Jubilee prayers of the children from St Matthew’s have caught people’s imagination. They are being used in schools and churches across the country – and beyond!  I have received a lot feedback about the prayer by a little girl called Miracle (below) – it seems to really go to the heart of the celebrations.”

Dear Almighty God and giver of life.
We thank you for blessing our Queen with long life.
We pray that you continue to strengthen her as only you are able to do
so that she may continue to reign with love and compassion.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.

More Diamond Jubilee information from the CofE here.