College Prayer

A sacred invocation seeking wisdom, guidance, and service, reflecting the spiritual values and mission of Meston College of Education.

The College Hymn

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Isaac Watts, 1719  ·  Based on Psalm 90 by King David

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne,
Still may we dwell secure,
Sufficient is Thine arm alone
And our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God
To endless years the same.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come
Be thou our guard while life shall last
And our eternal home.

This song, significant for its absolute faith in God and in the future, was sung by King David more than a thousand years ago and given hymn form by Dr. Isaac Watts in 1719.

Our Founder's Favourite Prayer

The Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester

Chosen by Founder Principal · Rev T.R. Foulger
"Thanks be to thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which thou has given us; for all pains and insults which thou has borne for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly; for thine own sake."

— Amen

Rev T.R. Foulger, Founder Principal

About the Prayer

St. Richard of Chichester · 13th century

The prayer of St. Richard of Chichester is one of the most beloved in the Christian tradition. Its three-fold aspiration — to know Christ more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly — formed the spiritual cornerstone of Rev. Foulger's vision for Meston College.

These words continue to inspire every educator who walks through these halls, reminding them that knowledge, devotion, and service are inseparable companions on the journey of teaching.

The College Prayer

The College Prayer

Spoken in fellowship · Meston College of Education

We praise Thee, O God, that ever Thou didst bring us into the
fellowship of this College. We give Thee thanks for the
adventures in the friendship and knowledge that we have
shared together, and pray that as we go on to fulfill our great
vocation that ties that bind us to Thee and to one another
may grow stronger with the years.

Be Thou our Teacher and Guide, for if Thou dost teach
us we cannot learn amiss and if Thou dost guide us we
cannot go astray. May we ever remember that it is in
giving that we receive, it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned; it is in dying to self that
we are born to eternal life.

So we may live in fellowship with Thee until pure
and just with the noble things of God and man
are precious to us; and we find nothing to fear
but that which is hateful in Thine eyes and
nothing worth seeking but that which is
precious to Thee.

— Amen —