Attending school, at whatever level, can often be a difficult task. Sometimes what the teacher is trying to impart to us doesn’t immediately “click” and we may need some extra help.

Here are four prayers for students that recognize God as the source of all knowledge and turn to him when faced with the arduous task of learning.

Prayer for Students

Holy Spirit, Giver of all good gifts, enter into my mind and heart. Give me the gift of knowledge and the grace to use it wisely. Help me in all my endeavors. Give me perseverance and fortitude. Help my memory, that I may remember what I learn and recall it when necessary. Guide me in the classroom. You who are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, let me not be deceived by false teaching. Our Lady of Good Studies, pray for me. Amen.

Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

Grant, O merciful God, that I may ardently desire, prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge, and perfectly accomplish what is pleasing to Thee for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen.

Student’s Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

Creator of all things,

true source of light and wisdom,

origin of all being,

graciously let a ray of your light penetrate

the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness

in which I have been born,

an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen understanding,

a retentive memory, and

the ability to grasp things

correctly and fundamentally.

Grant me the talent

of being exact in my explanations

and the ability to express myself

with thoroughness and charm.

Point out the beginning,

direct the progress,

and help in the completion.

I ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Students

Under thy patronage, dear Mother, and calling on the mystery of thine Immaculate Conception, I desire to pursue my studies and my literary labors: I hereby solemnly declare that I am giving myself to these studies chiefly to the following end:

that I may the better contribute to the glory of God and to the promotion of thy veneration among men. I pray thee, therefore, most loving Mother,

who art the Seat of Wisdom, to bless my labors in thy loving-kindness.

Moreover I promise with true affection and a willing spirit,

as it is right that I should do, to ascribe all the good that shall come to me therefrom,

wholly to thine intercession for me in God’s holy presence.

Amen.