Uniforms, Formality, and Prayers

The weather finally seems to be shifting here in the UK, even if it’s taking its time. The first sign of this is how much lighter it’s getting in the mornings. We’ve had a busy and productive week in the homeschool, and the kids have been working so hard. In fact, I have been stocking up on little treats (candy!) in an attempt to encourage them and keep up the momentum.

This year we decided to try out wearing a “school uniform” – just a simple polo shirt! Understandably, the kids were reluctant at first, and it took a fair bit of coaxing and a number of chats to get them on board. It felt a lot like the discussions we had a few years earlier about dressing smart to church and to co-ops. We talked about giving honour and respecting the work we are doing (or the place we are going), caring about our appearance, honouring our elders/teachers, and even getting practise for the real world of work where we might have to wear a uniform or dress smart. A trip to Asda procured a few polo shirts that were budget-friendly and actually look quite smart. The new rule which we’ve agreed upon is that they are required to come downstairs in the morning with their uniform on, and they can take if off once school is over. So far, it seems to be working well!

Encouraged by this change, I decided to introduce another “formality” into our homeschool routine. I noticed some lovely opening and closing prayers in my youngest’s Memoria Press guide. So, I typed them out, printed them, laminated these out, and got the children on board. We start our day by reciting this prayer – the kids have already memorized the prayers and lead the recitation while I’m relying on the printout!

Opening Prayer
Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as You deserve;
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labour and not to ask for reward
Save that of knowing I am doing Your will.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

And we end our homeschool day with this closing prayer:

Closing Prayer
We give you thanks, merciful God,
for the instruction and direction which we have received.
Grant us your grace that we may remember this lesson
and carry it into action for your glory and our eternal salvation.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

and a short song from 1 Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King immortal, eternal, invisible, the only God,
Be honour and glory forever and ever, Amen! Amen!
Be honour and glory forever and ever, Amen!

We used to sing this little ditty after Bible study class in our old church in Dubai, so it’s been a real trip down memory lane. It feels surreal hearing my own kids singing it many years later. It was a good way to end a Bible class back then, and now I feel it’s a good way to close the homeschool too.

Closing the homeschool “formally” has been a blessing in many ways. It gathers us all together at the end of the day to thank the Lord for everything we’ve learned and to ask Him to help us remember and live out that wisdom. If we have had a difficult day with personalities clashing and harsh words spoken, this ending prayer and song brings us together to remind us that we are on the same team and that the homeschool has a greater purpose – for our glory and eternal salvation. We simply commit our day’s work to the Lord and end it all with praise and worship.