Invocation

Spring graduation is the day after tomorrow. I've been asked to do the invocation and benediction. For the latter, I'm using Psalm 20:1-5, but I've written the prayer myself. In fact, I've written two of them, because there will be two commencements: the 10 AM will be daytime traditional undergraduate students, and the 2 PM will be graduate and online students who tend to be a little older and have some work experience. Here's what I've written, 10 AM first.

• "Abba Father, of the countless days You have made, we like this one an awful lot. We weren't always sure we would get here, but You called us, You equipped us and sustained us, and now here we are. You set this day aside for us, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. One way that you equipped and sustained us was through the love and support of our friends and family. We pray that you will remember their generosity and sacrifice. A big part of today's joy belongs to them; please reward them richly. We started out with some people and met others along the way who are not with us now. They've had to postpone this day, or even turned aside to another path. They are on our hearts, so we pray You will bless and prosper all the work of their hands. You are the perfect Father, and You love them better than we can possibly imagine. As for us, we are here to testify to the world that You give wisdom, and in Your mouth are knowledge and understanding. Now, as we cross this stage, we pray that You will lead us in the triumphal procession of Christ, and then send us out to make Him known to the world. Amen."

2 PM:

• "Almighty God, You spoke to an eighty year old shepherd in the land of Midian from a bush that burned and was not consumed. You told two uneducated fishermen on the shore of Galilee to leave their nets and follow You. You had a job for all of them. You saw to it that Moses had an upbringing in Pharaoh's palace, then gave him Aaron's help, signs and wonders to show to Pharaoh, and later the Torah to help him lead the Israelites; You prepared him. You walked with Peter and Andrew for three years, You taught them the Gospel, and You breathed on them to give them the Holy Spirit. You prepared them. Then there came a day where you told Moses, and through him all of Israel, to prepare a meal and be ready to leave in a hurry. You told Peter and Andrew, and all of your apostles, to wait in Jerusalem for power from on high. Lord, you called us to this campus. You prepared us through our studies. We have arrived now at the moment of sending. We pray that You will consecrate us, anoint us, and send us out to do the work You prepared for us before You created the world. Moses pleaded with You not to send him if You were not going to go with him, and we echo that plea. You promised Peter and Andrew that You would be with them always, to the end of the age, and we claim that promise. Amen."