DepEd Prayer: The Official Opening and Closing Prayer (English and Tagalog)

Across the Philippines, the school day begins and ends the same way. Before the lessons and after the work, teachers and learners pause together and lift their hearts to God. The official DepEd Prayer is more than a routine recited at flag ceremonies. It is a daily act of dependence, a whole community of educators and students choosing to begin and end in God’s presence. Whatever today holds for you, you were never meant to carry it on your own.

The Official DepEd Prayer

The Department of Education’s official prayer is recited at the opening and close of official gatherings, flag ceremonies, and school activities across the country. It is a simple, humble prayer: children offering their work to God, asking to be obedient, kind, and diligent, and giving thanks at the end of the day. Scripture gives it a firm foundation: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV).

DepEd Prayer (Opening and Closing)

Opening Prayer

Oh God, Almighty behold us thy loving children
Offering Thee today our works and studies
Help us dear Lord to be obedient to our teachers,
Kind to our classmates and diligent to our studies
So that we may merit Thy blessings to ourselves,
Our school, our beloved country, the Philippines, Amen.

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have given us.
We are sorry for all our faults.
We humbly ask for your forgiveness.
Teach us to love one another and to love You above all things. Amen.

Panalangin ng DepEd (Tagalog)

For Filipino readers, here is the prayer rendered in Tagalog. The English above remains the official recited form.

Pambungad na Panalangin

O Diyos na Makapangyarihan, masdan Mo kaming Iyong mga anak na nagmamahal sa Iyo,
Inihahandog namin sa Iyo ngayon ang aming mga gawain at pag-aaral.
Tulungan Mo kami, mahal na Panginoon, na maging masunurin sa aming mga guro,
Mabait sa aming mga kaklase, at masipag sa aming pag-aaral,
Upang kami ay maging karapat-dapat sa Iyong mga pagpapala,
Para sa aming sarili, sa aming paaralan, at sa aming minamahal na bayang Pilipinas. Amen.

Pangwakas na Panalangin

Mahal na Panginoon, salamat po sa lahat ng biyayang ipinagkaloob Mo sa amin.
Humihingi po kami ng tawad sa lahat ng aming pagkukulang.
Mapagpakumbaba kaming humihingi ng Iyong kapatawaran.
Turuan Mo kaming magmahalan sa isa’t isa at mahalin Ka nang higit sa lahat ng bagay. Amen.

A note from PrayerPrompt: The official DepEd opening and closing prayers above are reproduced exactly as recited. Everything that follows, the prayer points, declarations, reflection, and activation, is written by PrayerPrompt.org to help you take this prayer deeper in your own heart. It is not part of the official DepEd prayer.

Extra Prayer Points

1. For our teachers: that God would grant them “a spirit of wisdom and of understanding” (Isaiah 11:2, NKJV), with patience when they are weary and compassion for every struggling learner.
2. For our students: that they would grow not only in knowledge but in character, learning to value honesty, “for the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6, NKJV).
3. For school leaders (principals, superintendents, and administrators): that they would lead with humility and integrity, “serving the Lord with all humility” (Acts 20:19, NKJV).
4. For our beloved country, the Philippines: that righteousness would mark our schools and communities, “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34, NKJV).
5. For protection and provision: that every classroom, corridor, and home would be kept safe, “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in” (Psalm 121:8, NKJV).

Declarations

• I declare that I am a loving child of God, offered into His hands today.
• I declare that wisdom and understanding rest on every teacher and learner.
• I declare that honesty and diligence will mark our work and our words.
• I declare that our school and our country are covered by God’s blessing.
• I declare that God’s love teaches us to love one another above all things.

Bible Verses to Anchor Your Prayer

• Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
• Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”
• James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.”
• Isaiah 11:2 – “The Spirit of wisdom and understanding shall rest upon Him.”
• Colossians 3:23 – “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.”
• Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
• Philippians 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God.”
• 1 Corinthians 13:13 – “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Reflection Moment

As you pray today, ask yourself: what work and what studies am I offering into God’s hands this morning, and where do I most need His help to be obedient, kind, and diligent?

Prayer Prompt Faith Activation

This week, pray the opening prayer at the start of your day and the closing prayer before you sleep, just as it is done in schools. Then share it with one teacher, student, or parent who could be encouraged to begin and end their day with God.

Final Encouragement

Whether you are a teacher facing a full classroom, a student carrying the weight of exams, or a parent praying from home, the same God who hears the prayer of a nation’s schools hears you. Offer Him your works and your studies today, and trust Him to direct your paths. He is faithful, and He is near.