Prayers used in West Downs Chapel

Written by Lionel Helbert, the Founder

Above the Altar at WD, Symbols of Honest, Brave and Pure

At Morning Prayer

Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves this day: bestow, we pray Thee, Thy merciful blessing upon our School. Teach us to remember that as without Thee we cannot live, so with Thy help we cannot fail. Give us strength to carry out our appointed tasks in work and in play with all our might. Help us to do unto others as we would that they should do unto us; and in all our thoughts, words and actions keep us honest, brave and pure. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Written by Lionel Helbert for use at West Downs

At Evening Prayer

O God, who didst bid children to be brought unto Thee, take us to Thyself this night. Forgive us the sins we have committed this day. Accept our thanks for all the happiness and blessings which we have enjoyed by Thy good mercy. Guard us through the hours of darkness, bless and keep our dear ones at home, and teach us all to love one another for the sake of him who so tenderly loves all of us, even Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Written by Lionel Helbert for use at West Downs

The Founder’s Act of Thanksgiving and Prayer

Let us praise God in gladness and humility for all the great and simple joys; and for the weak things of the earth which have confounded the strong.

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

For the gift of wonder and the joy of discovery; for the everlasting freshness of experience; for the newness of life each day as we grow older; for the fireside and the intimate talks of friendship; for the little traditions and customs of the home; for meals eaten there in fellowship; for all the sanctities of family life; for games and holidays in the open air; for books and pictures and all our small possessions.

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

For birds and beasts and all God’s creatures; for children and the joy of innocency; for the joy of work attempted and achieved; for the joy of harvest and the wedding feast; for the beech trees and the bluebell woods in spring; for the smell of the country after rain; for the green grass and for flowers; for clouds and sun; for hills and mountain streams, and for the joy which is born of sympathy and sorrow.

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

For all pure comedy and laughter; for the gift of humour and gaiety of heart, and for all who have consecrated mirth with the love of Christ; for all singers and musicians; for all who work in form and colour to increase the joy of life; and for all who rejoice in their work and make things well.

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

For all who have loved the poor and borne their sorrows in their hearts; for all obscure and humble saints and for poor village priests and ministering women, and for all ignorant disciples who have misunderstood the Christian doctrine and yet lived in the fellowship of Christ.

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

For the image of Christ in ordinary people; for their forbearance and generosity, their courage and their kindness; for the glory of God shining in commonplace lives; for holy and humble men of heart in whom the loveliness of Our Saviour Christ has been made manifest to the world, and for great saints who have been true followers of most perfect and holy poverty.

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

Written by Lionel Helbert for use at West Downs

A Boy of my Time’s Prayer

Lord, give us strength today to live as you would like us to live, without fear, joyfully and lovingly.

Help us not to get flustered when things go wrong, and when there’s confusion and tension give us your deep peace so that we can remain calm whatever happens and so help others to turn to you for strength and support.

Help us also, Lord, not to be led into temptation to sin, and if we sin and if we fail, to repent at once, without any hesitation, as that sinner did when he was hung on the Cross all those years ago, through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Written by Lionel Helbert for use at West Downs