Timely Prayers

I share the following two prayers that feel appropriate for this time of year. These are from Changes: Prayers and Services Honoring Rites of Passage, Church Publishing, Inc. It's a wonderful resource and I encourage you to check it out.

Beginning the School Year

Dear God, today is N.’s first day of school [First Grade], a happy, exciting, scary day. We pray that N.’s teachers will be generous, wise, and gracious. We pray for N.’s classmates, so that true friendships may be found for all. Especially we pray for N. Keep her safe and well. Open her heart and mind to a world of learning, and may this be the first of thousands of days in which she knows the depth of your love and the constancy of your care. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers for the Transitions of Childhood

prayer 3, page 15

Going to College

Gracious God, your Holy Spirit instructs our hearts in the ways of life. In going to college, your child N., has set aside a time of learning and preparation for his life’s work. Through all the years ahead, make him hungry for wisdom tempered with love. Help him discern the truth in all that he learns, in the people he meets, and in the choices he must face each day. Keep his mind alert for the rigors of study and exams. Keep his body safe and well. Give him a heart bold to question, yet alive to your wonders. And assure him always of your love and ours; through Christ, your Wisdom made flesh. Amen.

Prayers and Rites for the Transitions of Youth and Young Adulthood

prayer 5, page 22

Recently my husband and I took our youngest to his first year of college. As we sat listening to the convocation address by the college president he shared something that I needed to hear. I paraphrase his remarks here. He asked us to consider that although he cannot, nor did he want to prevent us from texting, emailing, and Facebooking our children, we might consider giving them some space to build new relationships. He explained that antiquated as it sounds, envelopes and packages in the student post office boxes are still very much anticipated and welcome. And he reminded us that prayers are faster than all of the above. Amen!

Blessings,

Bronwyn