Commencement Prayer

"A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God" (Ecclesiastes 2: 24-25a).

Dear Savior, bless all those who begin a new stage in their lives. Teach them to know you as the true wisdom of God that has come down from heaven. Lead them to find fulfillment in their daily walks with you, rather than in worldly success. And increase in them the understanding that, because we are pilgrims and strangers on this earth, the things of this world are not an end in themselves, but are a means of preparing for the commencement of the life to come. Amen.

Wisconsin Eastern Lutheran Synod (WELS) prayer for commencement.

I pray today for my friends Amy (Elastigirl) and Mary, and their classmates at SMU's Perkins School of Theology; and for all seminary students who are graduating at this time of year, including RevGal Mibi52.

May each and every one of them find useful and satisfying work in the service of God's people in the world, and may the world's blindnesses (sexism, ageism, discrimination against GLBT persons and others) be healed.

--If you know of other seminary students preparing for graduation, please share their names/pseudonyms in the comments.