The next coming weeks, our partner seminaries will send a new group of energetic, passionate ministers away from the academy and into “the real world.” This post is written by Brittany Stillwell Krebs, a soon-to-be graduate of the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, in celebration and reflection on the final days of seminary.
A Prayer for the Last Week of Seminary Classes
Ascension of the Lord, May 9, 2013
based on Psalm 47, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23
God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of Glory,
Who is sovereign over all seasons of life,
Thank you for blessing me with the gift of learning,
For planting deep seeds so that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened.
Thank you for blessing me with the gift of pastoral professors,
For inspired men who have answered your call to serve as mediators of your revelation.
Thank you for blessing me with the gift of caring friends,
For challenging colleagues that point toward the hope to which we are called.
Thank you for blessing me with the gift of community,
For gathering a unique body to be a sacramental presence in my life.
Son of God,
Who ascended to the Father taking the fullness of human experience into the very life of God,
You know the joy that flows out of deep relationships
And you know the pain that comes with bittersweet endings:
The absence of homework, the fading of laughter-filled lunch conversations, the ceasing of publically bashed but secretly relished papers.
You know the thrill of learning and growing in community
And you know the sting that accompanies last moments:
Final papers, last exams, final minutes in a classroom that has become my second home.
You know the hope that comes from classes bathed in prayer
And you know the ache that comes with communal, concluding petitions:
The last “Our Father” among peers, a final blessing from a favorite professor, one last “and also with you.”
Immersing Spirit,
Who comes with power to nudge me away from security into the unknown,
Comfort me as I weep,
That I might give thanks through the tears for such rich blessings.
Lift my eyes upward,
That I might catch a glimpse of your glory as I await your call.
Turn my gaze forward,
That I might envision with hope your dreams for me.
Inspire my faint heart,
That I might have the strength to be your witness to the ends of the earth.
For you alone deserve my shouts of praise and claps of joy,
Dancing Spirit
Who stirs my soul,
Loving Christ
Who takes my prayers into the triune life,
All-knowing Father
Who blesses with rich gifts,
One God, now and forever,
in whose Great and Holy name I pray.
Amen.
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