daily prayers for the university

Prayers for the University

By The Rev. Toni Stuart

The mission of St. Michael's University Church and the Episcopal Campus Ministry in Isla Vista is to represent Jesus Christ in the University community, through service to students, staff and faculty and to express the love of God in Christ, through worship, education and fellowship. We are an inclusive community, celebrating the dignity of all people as we work together to promote peace and justice.

A great university is a place of infinite possibility, a place that God loves.

God is present and at work at UCSB and other institutions of higher learning in the Santa Barbara area and uses many people. As a member of St. Michael's Church, I invite you to join me in prayer for the University.

Monday
For the people behind the scenes

Beloved God, I thank you for the people whose work generally goes unnoticed. You know who they are. Office administrators, gardeners, accountants, plumbers, electricians, maintenance workers, food service workers --all the people who deal with the many details that make a great university tick. I ask that you would give them good health, fair pay, rewarding relationships, and an awareness that by helping to make the University run smoothly, they are doing holy work. Amen.

Tuesday
For the faculty

Eternal God, I know that teaching in a great university is a sacred calling, but like all of us, teachers sometimes feel they are running on empty. Refresh them, Lord. Renew their passion for their field of learning. Grant them the thrill of new discovery. Give them the gift of inspiration as they search to discover the best way to present their subjects. Make them wise, and give them compassion for their students. Amen.

Wednesday
For administrators

Lord of the Universe, give the administrators a wide perspective and a vision of this university as a lively center of sound learning, new discovery and the pursuit of wisdom, a place of justice, where all people are welcome and the dignity of every human being is respected. Give the administrators everything they need --health, a peaceful home life, good friends and colleagues, leisure to refresh body and soul--so that they might make good decisions, set wise policies, and be effective in your service. Amen.

Thursday
For graduate students

O Holy One, for the mature student the road sometimes grows long and arduous. Blow the breeze of your inspiration upon the graduate students, that their enthusiasm may be refreshed, their finances revitalized, and their goals grow closer day by day. Give them the support they need from family and friends, so they may successfully come to that place where their courage and perseverance will be rewarded. Amen.

Friday
For undergraduate students

Beloved God, comfort the undergraduate students as they attempt to find their footing in surroundings which may be upsetting. Give them the sense of balance that can be found only in you. Whisper in their ears what your angels have said to so many, "Do not be afraid." Fortify them with strength of character and belief in themselves so that this university may be for them a place of wonder, learning and discovery. Amen.

Saturday
For students from abroad

Dear Christ, you know what it means to leave a beloved home and come to a strange place. Send our exchange students good trustworthy friends and challenging and sympathetic teachers. Guard them against all harm, and help them to discern friend from foe. Surround each student with your holy light, so that they might be inspired and graced by all that they learn here and return to their homes prepared to do your work. Amen.

The Rev. Toni Stuart is an assisting priest and active community member at St. Michael's. Toni has served churches in the Dioceses of Los Angeles and Northern California. She now makes her home in Carpinteria.