Saint Louis University Prayerbook

Opening a Meeting

Judi Buncher — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:48:05 +0000

I would like to take this moment to ask you to reflect on yourself and the people sitting around you.

We come from different places as we gather together for tonight’s event.

The diversity within this room is astounding and powerful.

We come from various faith, non-faith, and philosophical backgrounds.

Our purpose this evening is to find the intersection of our religious identities and our civic responsibilities, and to ponder the role of faith in political discourse.

Let us commit to inclusion and thoughtful reflection on all issues addressed.

Let us pledge to value that many traditions that we represent and be unified in our greater call for action towards the common good.

Let us rejoice in this diversity as we gain a stronger sense of cooperation and civic engagement.

By: Sara Rahim

Student, Co-President Interfaith Alliance ’12-”13

Prayer for Unity

Judi Buncher — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:27:51 +0000

You are the One

From whom on different paths

All of us have come,

And to whom on different paths

All of us will return.

Make-strong in our hearts what unites us;

Build bridges across all that divides us.

Enable us to hear Your voice, follow Your will, and pursue Your purpose; and unite us in all that we do to serve You here at Saint Louis University.

Amen

By: Kathleen Brady

VP Facilities Services

A Prayer in Hindu

Judi Buncher — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:04:57 +0000

Lord help us go…

Asato maa sad-gamaya
From ignorance (unreal) to truth (real)

Tama-so maa jyotir-gamaya
From darkness to light

Mrutor-maa Amrit-gamaya
From death to immortality (salvation)

As we find the worth in the challenges we face,

let’s pray that our Lord makes the worth of our sacrifices.

Submitted by:
Manoj Patankar, Ph. D.

A Prayer for a Successful New Year

Judi Buncher — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:32:39 +0000

God, as we start this academic year, we would like to ask that you bless us and those whom we mentor and serve with the wisdom that we need to seize the opportunities and face the challenges that this year will bring. Help us to find success in ways that matter, as Ralph Waldo Emerson has described them:
“To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends.

To appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.”
Let us also be mindful of those whose paths are dogged by challenges that they cannot surmount. In the face of such challenges, please give them the strength to push ahead, the patience to endure, and the peace of mind to accept the road that they must follow. And let us keep them in our thoughts, in our prayers, and in our hearts.
Amen.

By: Raymond C. Tait, PhD
Vice President, Research

A Prayer for New Faculty

Judi Buncher — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:50:52 +0000

God, our Creator, give of all gifts.
We pray today in gratitude for these new faculty who will be joining our community at St. Louis University.
We are grateful for their abilities and their dedication and for the creativity that they will bring to all of us.
We ask you, God, to bless them at this time when they are busy preparing for the new academic year, moving themselves or moving their families, adjusting to new living circumstances, familiarizing themselves with a new and complex institution, preparing classes, and meeting new colleagues. Fill them with a spirit of peace, joy, and hope for the year to come.
May this day be a blessing for them.
May the discussions about our university confirm them in their choice to join us.
May they feel themselves supported by our University, by its policies, its resources, and its people.
May they find in the University mission the description of a common endeavor across all the Colleges–an endeavor to which they might contribute with their many gifts.
May they enjoy the companionship of the new colleagues that they will meet today. May they find their new colleagues admirable for what they have achieved, and may then even dream together of possible future collaborations.
Bless them and bless all of us and bless our work for the glory of God and the service of humanity.
We ask all this of you who are our God forever and ever.

Michael Barber, SJ

Blessing for our Students

Judi Buncher — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:44:14 +0000

God our Father, the fountain of all wisdom and learning. We ask you to enlighten the minds of our students that they may acquire the knowledge we seek to impart to them.

Strengthen their memories that they may retain what they will learn. Govern their hearts that they may be eager and diligent in their studies and open to your voice.

Guide them in their decisions and choices. Keep them safe and protect them during their time at SLU.

And let your Spirit of truth, judgment, and prudence guide their understanding so that they will perceive how they may fulfill your holy plan for our world.

Kathleen Brady

Vice President, Facilities Management and Civic Affairs

Fall Prayer

Judi Buncher — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:34:45 +0000

Gracious God,

As the season changes, we are reminded that you are an unchanging God, but it is your desire to continue to change us–to mold and shape us, to teach us to have faith like a child. Lord, be our teacher!

Teach us to praise. Father, we praise you for awe, wonder, and excitement as new programs and plans are introduced at Saint Louis University this fall.

Teach us to confess. At this time of year, we are inundated with busyness. Forgive us, Father, when our busyness overshadows you.

Teach us to be thankful. We are thankful that in teaching us, you change us. Teach us, Father, to trust in you for guidance and direction.

Father, help us realize the magnitude of your grace and then to teach others what it means to live with that grace. As we seek to further your kingdom, fill us with the same exuberance, wonder, and awe that we see in children at the beginning of a new school year.

Amen.

Kathleen Brady

Vice President Facilities, Management and Civic Afairs

The End of the School Year

Judi Buncher — Fri, 13 May 2011 20:01:13 +0000

O God of all beginnings and endings,
we praise and thank you for the gift of this school year.
It has been a time filled with grace and blessings,
with challenges and opportunities, joys and sorrows.

The days have passed quickly, O Lord.
The weeks, the months, the seasons, and holidays,
the exams, vacations, and breaks
have all come from your hand.

We pray that our efforts this past year,
will bear fruit according to Your will,
and we ask for your continued blessings on
Saint Louis University.

Amen.

Kathleen Brady
VP Facilities Management and Civic Affairs

Today

Judi Buncher — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:29:31 +0000

Lord, help us make the world better,
Help us do it today.
Let’s all work together to find the best way.

To give social justice its rightful high place,
And to strive to support each person and race.

To teach one another the things we should know,
And to search for your guidance in the ways we should go.

To all work in harmony, one for another,
Whether Christian or Muslim, Judaic or other.

To make this world righteous, a place we can stay.
To live for each other in your chosen way.

We pray this can happen. We pray for today.

Philip O. Alderson, M.D.

Dean School of Medicine

VP Health Sciences

Prayer for Executive Staff Meeting

Judi Buncher — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:11:56 +0000

Good and gracious God, shine your light on the most gifted areas of our lives.

Give us understanding of how to utilize our gifts effectively so we may fulfill our calling and our destinies.

With joy and satisfaction, allow us to be helpers of humanity, exuding kindness, love and humility to lift up and improve the lives of others, for the betterment of all your people.

Lord, we ask you to release in each of us your creative spirit.

We ask for open minds and open hearts, that we might be clever and inventive in identifying solutions to complex problems in our world.

We ask for your wisdom and for the perseverance necessary to develop significant, life changing ideas.

Release all the creativity you have placed within us, enabling us to draw others near as we endeavor to live together, at this time, on this Earth, in solidarity.

We give thanks for the many blessings we receive from you, and especially for the gift of companionship, that we do not have to make our journeys alone.

We offer this prayer in your name.

Amen

Kent Porterfield

VP of Student Development

Prayer for a Saint Louis University Meeting

Judi Buncher — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:42:34 +0000

Gracious God,

Bless us as we meet to discuss the business of Saint Louis University;

Bless our schools, colleges, and programs,
that they may be lively centers for sound learning,
new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom;

Bless our students so they may approach learning
with open minds, open hearts, and an innovative spirit;

Bless all those who teach, research and learn with the sight to find you to be the source of all truth;

Bless our caregivers so that they may serve the sick and ailing with dignity and respect;

Bless us as administrators so that we may serve with a greater sense of purpose and vision, above our secular roles;

For this we pray,
Amen.

By: Tim Brooks, VP & CIO

Prayer for Meeting – Open Mindedness and Diversity

Judi Buncher — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:39:49 +0000

Almighty God,

We ask for your guidance and direction as we come together to meet this morning.

Grant us the strength to manage the challenges ahead and the wisdom to identify these as opportunities as we strive to serve the members of the Saint Louis University community.

As we make decisions on behalf of the University, grant us the gift of an open mind, the willingness to learn, and the humility to accept the ideas of others.

Please help us to recognize diversity as a blessing and unity as our strength.

By: Tim Brooks, VP & CIO

Advent Prayer for Hope

Judi Buncher — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:18:46 +0000

Lord Jesus Christ,
who is, who was, and who is to come,
we pray for the virtue of hope,
that amidst the trials and difficulties
of this world,
we may keep our hearts fixed
upon you, who reigns over the cosmos.
May your grace enliven us,
strengthen us,
and defend us,
as we await your coming in glory. Amen

By: David Bennett

Advent Prayer

Judi Buncher — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:15:39 +0000

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God’s own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father’s joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.

By, John Appleseed, English Department

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=350

Litany of Humility

Judi Buncher — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:00:29 +0000

O Jesus meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver, me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver, me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,                                                                       Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,                                                                  Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,                                                                     Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,                                                              Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,                                                        Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

By: Cardinal Merry del Val (He was accustomed to recite this prayer daily after the celebration of Holy Mass.)

Enough?

Judi Buncher — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:47:23 +0000

Lord God,

Is it enough to hear, to listen?
To become no longer a “deaf hearer of the Gospel”?

Is it enough to act, to serve?
To become the hands and feet of a God made flesh among us?

Is it enough to announce, to denounce?
To become prophets – like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Dorothy, Ellacuria?

Is it enough to become like Jesus, to find Jesus?
To become a saint?

What is enough is not, nor ever has been, ours to measure or decide,
But lies hidden, tucked into the folds of Your Inexhaustible Mystery.
So help us to focus,
Not on what is enough,
But on discovering You anew,
the God from whom and toward whom
We listen, act, speak and are.
For it is in our simple attempts that Christ will work,
Creating the world anew.

Amen.

By: Dan Finucane

Back to School Prayer for Educators

Lisa Terneus — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:56:17 +0000

As I step into a new academic year,
Restore my spirit.
Renew my passion for sharing your wisdom
And nurture my compassion
for those You put in my charge.

Transform me as I seek to transform:
Guide me as I seek to guide;
Open my mind and heart
As I seek to open minds and hearts
To the Good News of justice and peace.

Help me listen more deeply
To the world and to your Word,
So I can walk with my students,
Attentive to the Wisdom that
Calls us all to the Kingdom of God.

by Jane Deren

http://www.educationforjustice.org/resources/back-school-prayer-educators

Prayer for Educational Institutions

Lisa Terneus — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:00:18 +0000

Eternal God,
Bless all schools, colleges, and universities,
especially Saint Louis University,
that they may be lively centers for sound learning,
new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom;
and grant that those who teach and those who learn
may find you to be the source of all truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, USA, 1979

http://www.churchyear.net/teacherprayers.html

A Servant’s Prayer

Lisa Terneus — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 20:28:01 +0000

Create In Me A Servant’s Heart, O Lord!

Lord, please help me to follow your example of servanthood.

Create in me a heart of humility that will not allow fame and status to get in the way of service, just as you did not allow equality with God to prevent you from service.

Create in me a heart of willingness to get up from my meal table, whatever that may be, which will prevent me from service, just as you got up from your meal table for service.

Lord, let me be willing to take off my garments, whatever that may entail, which will prevent me from service, just as you took off your garments to prepare yourself for service.

Lord, please help me to be willing to replace my table and my garments with a towel and a basin, whatever form they may take, to prepare my heart and mind for service, just as you took up a towel and a basin.

Lord, please help me to look and sound not only like a servant, but also to serve whole-heartedly by washing feet, whatever shape and form this may take, even the feet of my Judas, just as you washed the feet of your disciples, including Judas – your betrayer.

Lord, please make me a servant like you! Amen.

Written by Joe A. Lieway
Professor of Intercultural and Urban Missions
St. Louis Christian College, St. Louis Missouri

Commencement

Lisa Terneus — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:51:01 +0000

Lord, on this “commencement” day, let there be a beginning of my life. In the days of darkness, be my Light, so that in turn I can radiate your truth and your message of love, hope, and joy. In the days of blandness and of blahs, Lord, be my Salt, so that in turn I can fend off the corruption, the staleness, the mediocrity around me. In the days when I am flat on my back or fall flat on my face, Lord, be my Leaven, so that not only can I rise again, but also raise the downhearted to the celebration of your Love. And Lord, thank You, for the school years, for the talents I have received.
Amen.

http://www.catholic.org