Prayer For Outgoing Students
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities [and especially __________], that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dear God, Today we join with heaven as we celebrate and give thanks for every student here. Thank you that each one is unique and brimming with potential. Thank you for leading them in their learning, for keeping them safe as they studied, and for watching over them in their final exams. We pray that they may all feel proud this day and enjoy sharing their achievements with family and friends. May today be a memory that burns bright within them as they embark on life's great adventure. Amen.
Planted by Your living streams
I'll delight in all Your ways,
Hidden by Your sheltering wings
With new mercies for each day.
Even in a dangerous land
When storms threaten to destroy,
At the cross I'll stand upon the Rock
My Strength, my Hope, my Joy.
Dear Lord, show me Your favor,
At all times keep me blessed,
May Your face ever shine upon me,
With peace and perfect rest.
Today is a graduation, a passage, a completion, an inauguration. Today we pray for all those who have met the challenge and kept the faith to the commitments of their studies. Now they have a new "kairos" before them. We first offer thanks for the success of their journey. We thank for you granting them focus and direction and then strength and endurance. You created the knowledge and understanding they have mastered. You have created the curiosity and capacity for determination that led them in pursuit. All these good things came from you. Thank you.
Today we also pray for tomorrow. This graduation opens another door to another time. As you have led in the past, lead now into the future. Give them focus and clarity and a calling from you to understand their purpose and the courage to respond and step toward that purpose.
We pray in the words of scripture: 'Bless them indeed. Expand their territory. Let your hand be with them. Keep them evil, that they will not cause or experience pain.'
Today, we bless our graduates"
Finally, Father, we thank you for giving us the opportunity to build our community with these
young men and women while they are here. Though they are leaving our campus, we know
that they will always be with us as part of the Xavier family, and we ask that the bonds that
have been created here remain strong despite any distance.
We ask all of this in your name, and in the name of your Son. Amen
O Father in Heaven,
My heart is breaking for the young men and women who are social outcasts. The news tells the same story every single night. Someone is being bullied or shot. Father, this is chaotic! Please, Lord, protect the ones who cannot protect themselves. Some kids are so emotionally traumatized that they have attempted to take their own livessome have succeeded. Father, I pray that You would place men and women of faith in the paths of these kids to show them that they are special and they are loved. Until they see love they will only continue in the spiral of endless chaos. Father, use me to help in any way! I love You! Amen
Father, I am scared for them because everything around them says You are a lie. I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them daily to know what is right and what choices they should make. I know that they are only with me for a brief time and I pray that I would be found faithful in Your sight with how I raise them. I will continue to pray with them and encourage them to read their Bibles daily. Lord, I believe Jesus! He said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6) I pray that my children will grow to believe the same way. I put them in Your hands, Father. Amen
Keep all who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour under the shadow of Your wing and the palm of Your hand, for You have promised that none shall pluck them out of Your hand.
Give them wisdom in the choices that they make when they choose the career path or the subjects they decide to study. Keep them away from temptation, and continually convict them of the truth of Your Word, especially when they are studying courses that are so often diametrically opposed to the truth of Scripture.
Help them to find fellowship with You and support from other believers in Jesus. Strengthen their trust in You so that they emerge from their studies strong in the faith of Jesus. I pray this in Jesus' name,
Amen.