The Catholics Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) endorses the National Prayer for Teachers to be recited during anticipated and Sunday masses on September 28, 29 and October 5 in support to the National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration. The CBCP also encourages its churches to invite teachers in their congregations to step forward for a blessing after the prayer.

The National Prayer for Teachers was developed by the Metrobank Foundation as the co-chair of the NTM movement. The prayer is available in Filipino, English, and other dialects: Bisaya, Kapampangan, Waray, Bikol-Central, Chavacano, Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Ibaloi, Irigaonon, Kankaney, Sugboanong-Binisaya, Hingyon Ifugao, Imajukayong, Bikol-Miraya, Lapuyan-Subanen, Lubuagan Kalinga, Limos Kalinga, Kalanguya Version (Nueva Vizcaya), Manguindanaon, and Ibanag.

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National Prayer for Teachers (A Prayer for Teachers)

Giver of All Wisdom and Greatest of all Teachers,
Look upon our teachers with love
Grant them the resolve
To nurture our eager minds
And to never give up on us who fall behind
Bless their hearts
For they rejoice when we succeed
And encourage us when we fail
Endow them with gentle patience
For the path of learning is never easy
Kindle a spirit of passion in them
It is the flame that ignites the love of learning in us
Help them see the potential in each student
Their belief in us means much more than the grade we make
Instill in them a commitment to keep on learning
It shows us to not fear new knowledge and experiences
Inspire them to touch the future
They influence how big a dream we dream for ourselves
Bless our teachers who have come before
For their work endures to this day
Let the light of Your example shine upon all teachers:
To build up with their words
To love with their mind
To share with their heart Amen.

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This year is the 16th NTM celebration since the Metrobank Foundation launched the annual Teachers’ Month Campaign, “My Teacher, My Hero”, in 2009. Two years later, September 5 to October 5 was declared as the National Teachers’ Month under the Presidential Proclamation No. 242. In 2016, the movement reached another milestone with the enactment of the Republic Act 10743, officially designating October 5 as National Teachers’ Day–the culminating event of the NTM celebrations, coinciding with the World Teachers’ Day.

This month-long celebration of teachers was conceptualized to engage all Filipinos to appreciate the contributions of teachers in shaping and empowering the future leaders of the country. From a simple call to express gratitude to teachers, NTM has evolved into a national movement addressing teacher needs and fostering public-private partnership for teacher support and development. 

 

Tags: A Prayer for Teachers, CBCP, Metrobank Fo, Metrobank foundation, National Prayer for Teachers