December 25:
Light of the World, You stepped down into Darkness. At times the darkness of conflict, the frustrations of the best laid plans, the anguish of family pain, can be so heavy even–or especially–at this Christmastide. Shine your Light of promise, of hope, and of life itself into the corners of our homes, our offices, our classrooms, and our hearts as we receive the gift of Your son, Jesus. A vulnerable babe who held the entire universe in his eyes that night… amidst the mess of a stable, and the clamour of unexpected visitors. Let the dawn rise in our hearts as we welcome a New Year and await Jesus’ coming again on the horizon. That journey may be long, but the light of Your Word orders our steps and spills over to those we invite along or come across our path. May we also be lanterns of promise, hope, and life for our colleagues, family, and community!
August 9:
Our Hope is in You, Lord, our Strength is in You, Lord! The dawn of the new academic year is just over the horizon; faculty are arriving for a week of hospitality, training, and information on restructuring from summers that rarely cease from teaching and conferences. Our hope catches fire as introductions lead to conversations that bloom into collegial relationships. Be present with those faculty who follow You and bless them with opportunity to engage and invite others into their mental and physical spaces. Give us ears attuned to the hopes and fears, and Your wisdom to encourage and bless people. Show us your plan, lend us your strength, and then open doors that beckon your Presence into the very structures and ideas of this University. Our Hope is in You, Lord!
July 22:
Generous God–giver of life itself–this month is a gift to study and practice deeper ways of generosity, that enfolds more than the transactional value of money and fund raising for this mission, but comes to the issue of having a generous heart toward others in so many ways! Forgive us for holding tight to what we have been given to steward and use for blessing, our time and resources and hospitable care. You have refreshed the overgrown perspectives and spoken gently and boldly through the Word of I Timothy 6:6-19, and Luke 19:11-16. You have encouraged walking joyfully and contentedly into extending invitation to partner and enable the vision to transform faculty and students, renew the campus as an agent of God’s truth and love, and develop those who change the world and their circles of influence. Praise be to God for the new partners that are coming to build a new work in academia. May Your will be done in this ministry, with a generosity of spirit, that draws people in to see for themselves what a Mighty God we serve!
December 7:
Omniscent God, we find ourselves in a season of waiting: waiting for the university reorganization plans and changes, waiting for resolution of faculty conflicts and petitions for program funding, waiting for the results of comprehensive exams next week, waiting for faithful partners to to engage the vision for faculty ministry, and most importantly–waiting for the promised Child amidst all this noise, chaos, and downright busy-ness of the “holidays.” Focus our vision, quiet our hearts, and open our ears to the small whispers of your Name.
March 23:
Be present, Lord. as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” in several conversations drawing together interfaith groups in this community over the next two weeks. May you be glorified and honored by those that follow you while in dialogue with leaders who do not yet call you Lord. Bless these relationships with grace and truth, for the benefit of the University and its challenges. Come to these halls and offices, too, to bring peace and wisdom during the extensive program audits currently being conducted organization-wide. You have heard and we have felt the anxiety and defensiveness of those affected by, on whole, a healthy process. It is You, God, who can direct our paths and programs in a way that is holy and renewing. Let Your favor fall on your children and give them voice to proclaim the source of their confidence and peace. Come, Lord Jesus.
March 17:
It is the last half of the semester and, hallelujah! spring arrived this weekend. Lord, these circumstances conspire for a “crazy season” as one faculty member calls it… students and professors are charging toward the finish with projects, exams, and grades on the horizon. We ask for your constancy to finish well, and your grace to extend to others during this time of stress.
November 24:
Thanks be to you, God for the wonderful things you have done, and promise to do! You will never leave us, nor forsake us–even as the holidays wreak havoc on our schedules and routines, and upset our precious times with You. Draw us near this week in particular to the family, friends, and colleagues who prompt a heart of thankfulness. Give us new vision to see where you are already at work on this campus, in our disciplines and our learning and teaching opportunities. And let us find ourselves thankful in these often uncertain political, or interpersonal times: facing un- or under-employment, concerning political trends on campus and around the world, and also in our own health and wellness to various degrees. Throughout our days, though, You are worthy of praise and thanks-giving! Thanks be to You, O Lord!
October 10:
The world outside the windows is blanketed in snow this morning: it is a crisp clean backdrop for the Renewing the Saints day, Lord! O, Creator, let our hearts be created clean and ready to make fresh footprints of faith across this campus today. Guide us to the people and places that await with divine appointments to converse, to serve, to model our love and commitment to you. Be near to us, whisper in our ear, who needs our encouragement, our friendship, our helpful hands. Let this day begin a transformation from the autumn routines of busyness to the winter practices of comfort and care.
September 9:
Praise God for the wonderful things He has done! Praise for coffee conversations with a new graduate student eager to find spiritual community and be a witness in her discipline and among roommates. Praise for nearly two dozen contacts with faculty and grad students during a warm and busy Mainstreet fair–most pleasantly surprised to find a ministry for them amidst the sea of undergraduate organizations! Praise for the creativity of one faculty who is incorporating classic Bible stories into her course discussions on exploring cultural stories, myths, and legends. Praise for the details coming into place for the Renewing the Saints day for friends & alumni of St Cloud area InterVarsity in October! Praise God for people who have already and will soon make this new ministry sustainable with their seed grants, ongoing gifts, prayers, and participation! Sing a new song unto the Lord for the great things He has done these days.
August 24:
Give us this day, Lord, our daily bread in this fresh start of the academic year. Walk nearby on the way to classes, meetings, and new experiences. We long to make this semester meaningful not only to our academic life and vocations, but to the depths of our souls. Shape us and form us into a people of God transforming our disciplines from the inside out to the glory of God!
Direct the paths of those who are seeking a connection to Something greater than themselves, that the Mainstreet fair next week or a faculty conversation or a new friend would be Your avenue of blessing and hope to even one of the thousands on campus this month. Thank you, Lord, for the work you have laid before us and may we be found faithful in all we say and do.
June 2:
Dear Lord of all creation, the summer brings a different rhythm to the university life: may you travel with faculty on assignment and sabbath; and grant summer students the motivation to persevere in studies and writing their capstone theses. Refresh our taxed minds and worn hearts with your sunshine and cooling rains, as we enjoy time with friends, family and others. Thank you for the rhythms of life that restore us to you either in glory or for comfort. Plant in us seeds of inspiration and hope that will germinate and grow in these warm months, ready to harvest along with the launch of this new ministry in the fall! AMEN
May 5:
The neighborhood is busy this week, Lord. We ask that you are present here in the bustle of finals, throughout the many preparations for graduation, and in the thoughts of students as the next chapter opens before them. Give them opportunity especially in the midst of the activities to consider your Word, your people, your purposes for them, and your mission in the world. Lend your wisdom to those who seek you; comfort those who are anxious; and bless those who express their knowledge with truth and grace. AMEN
April 24:
Omniscent God, we praise you for faithful faculty on this campus (and others) that lean not on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Grant these scholars wisdom to continue to listen to you and add to their learning and field of expertise (Proverbs 1:5); gift discernment and guidance to those who are shaping future generations! We pray for the colleagues of these believers that they would see Your light in the faces, scholarship, and actions of their coworkers on campus. Thank you for valuing learning, but even more so, the pursuit of truth that brings us into relationship with You. May the twilight of the semester bring rest to the faculty and hope for the dawn of fall. AMEN
April 14:
God, thank you for preparing space and time for a new work at St. Cloud State University and for praying faculty–may you bless them and increase their influence on campus. We trust you to create conversations with partners willing to plan and nurture new life within graduate students preparing for lives of significance and service to You. Grant both grace and compelling vision to the leaders of the Next Chapter. AMEN
