Lord, for the past four years,
        we’ve taken custody of these
        young men and young women.

We’ve taken them into classes
        and into our homes;
helping them dig foundations,
        deep into the biblical text,
in theology, ministry, and history;
        preparing them for you,
for what’s next, for what’s now
        as they live out their calling.

Most of all, Lord, we’ve tried
        to help them grow in you;
so that whether graduate school
        or a first full-time ministry,
awaits them after graduation -
        they are equal to the task,
the spiritual drain about to be
        placed on them.

So today, Lord, we hand them back,
        four years older, and we pray, wiser;
ready to tap into the new resources,
        they have acquired here.
We pray, Lord, that they are ready
        for the task of spiritual growth,
away from this place, away from us,
        refreshing wells to draw from.

May the spiritual disciplines be
        a regular part of their lives,
even if they must rise early
        or stay up past the stars.
In all their busyness to prepare
        this class or that sermon,
help them not to neglect
        the care of their own souls.

God, help them to see the danger
        of letting their wells run dry;
their spiritual life become stale,
        withered dry without the Spirit;
or only consuming spiritual candy,
        the latest fad that will not sustain.
Instead, keep them fresh by time
        spent alone with you;
by hours of reading the word,
        listening for your voice to them
        (not just a sermon to others).

Lord, we also pray for spiritual family
        to surround each new minister,
brothers and sisters who will be church
        for those often left without a church.
Help these young graduates
        to seek out trustworthy mentors,
who will encourage them every week –
        and tell them the truth when needed.

Finally, amid all the work and struggle,
        help them to see the joy –
here and now in all they do, even when,
        especially when ministry is challenging.
Keep their perspective in focus,
        with awareness of your love and support.

So Lord, we have done our best,
        flawed, weakened by our own lives;
now will you please take them
        further into your care, your love,
and your wisdom for what they will face,
        because ready or not, here they go.

Amen

Limited permission is granted for reuse of this prayer in worship or other venues. If printed in any form attribution must be given as "Glenn Pemberton, mosaicsite.org/glennpemberton." Special permission is required to print three or more of these prayers at one time in any form, print, electronic, etc., and must be secured by request at gdp05b@acu.edu.