Our heavenly Father,

As we begin this meeting, we bring Your presence with us. We speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy and Your perfect order into our work. We acknowledge Your power over all that will be done, spoken, thought and decided within these walls. We commit to use them responsibly in Your honor.

Give us a fresh supply of strength to do our tasks. Anoint our plans, ideas and energy, so that even our smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.

Lord, when we are confused, guide us.

When we are are weary, energize us.

When we are burned out, infuse us with the light of the Holy Spirit. May the work that we do and the way we do it bring faith, joy and smile to all that we come in contact with today.

Lord, we thank you for everything You’ve done, everything You are doing, and everything You are going to do. We thank you for the gifts You have blessed us with.

In the name of Jesus we pray, with much love and gratitude. Amen.

(From Ms. Meng de Guia’s prayer before the ApFor Council meeting. 18 January 2012. Photo from the Montalban Outreach - Ateneo HS students interact with the lectors and commentators of Christ the King Chapel, the mission area of the Jesuit scholastics.)