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A liturgy for teaching your first class. As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May I remember all You have done to bring me here All the mountains and valleys Twists and turns  I thank You, for Your plans are perfect As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May my words be Your words  Steeped with grace, kindness, and hope Sweeter than honey I thank You, for your words have given me life As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May I have vision to see them like You do Hungry for Love and Purpose  People whom you cherish I thank You, for You know each one deeply  As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May Hope overflow when I step foot in the room  For how beautiful it is to build bridges of friendship Through learning and growing together I thank You, for You teach me the path of life  As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May anxieties and strivings cease Meet me here, the One who calms the seas Quiet me with Your Love I thank You, for You are not far from any one of us As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May I walk in a manner worthy of You A picture of love, patience, gentleness Sweet fruits of the vine I thank You, for Your well never runs dry As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May You do more Than I could ask or imagine With this time, this heart, this life that is wholly Yours I thank You, for You are before all things, and in You all things hold together As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May I remember all You have done to bring me here All the mountains and valleys Twists and turns  I thank You, for Your plans are perfect

A liturgy for those setting up home in a new space. Bless this house and make it a place of orderliness. You arranged the sun, moon, stars, and planets, classified flora and fauna, and numbered my days before one of them came to be. It is a simple matter for You to sort out this mess of possessions. Share Your spatial intelligence with me, Your organizational wisdom. Help me to arrange each space for cleanliness, convenience, and comfort, for me, for guests, for You. Bless this house and make it a place of healthy living for me, with adequate resources for my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. May it be a place of balance and moderation where I rest and sleep, work and play, exercise and eat well, taking good care of Your temple. May it be a place of learning and growth where I keep on asking, seeking, and knocking, humbly listening to Teacher and teachers, about Word and work and life, then wisely putting into practice. May it be a place of relationship where I laugh and cry with family and friends, old and new, in-person and online, and where I commune with You. Bless this house and make it a haven. In the light of day and dark of night, may I feel safe from the world’s evils and secure in Your love. When I cross the threshold after venturing out into an unfamiliar culture, I’ll set down my bag, remove my shoes, and hang up my coat. At the same time, I’ll hand over my worries, frustrations, and hurts to You, sighing into the shelter of Your wings. When guests cross my threshold, teammates or friends, students or colleagues, may they also leave their burdens at the door and step into a place of safety and peace. May all who enter find rest for their weary souls. Bless this house with Your presence. I invite You into every room, every conversation, every thought, and into a special nook where You and I will meet together. Help me to settle in, but remind me that this house is temporary. My home is with You.

A liturgy for navigating public spaces. As I prepare to go out among “the multitudes”  I think of how You walked the highways and byways,  rubbing shoulders with and being jostled by the people around You —  in markets, on city streets, in Your Father’s house.  You saw each one;   help me to see people within the crowd.  You knew each one;   show me the ones you want me to know.  You cared for each one;   give me a heart that cares.  I have my tasks and my agenda;  I lay these before You and ask for Yours in return.  Wherever I go, would You please go first?  Whatever I do, would You please do it through me?  Whomever I encounter, would you please introduce me and, when the time is right, allow me to reciprocate. Thank You for buses and trains and taxis that get me where I need to go — each one filled with people You have made and love.  Ride the bus with me;   ride the train with me;   ride the taxi with me.  You came not to be served but to serve. How can I serve?   In humility help me to consider others as more important than myself: being the last to get on,   the last to get off,  standing so another can sit,   waiting so another can go.  Is it possible for me to see them as You see them?  Is it possible for me to see them as You see them and my heart not break? As You would if You were here (and you truly are here!),   I want to look each one in the eye:  to smile, to nod, to greet — to let each one be seen by me and by You.  May You reduce “the multitudes” to one,   and another one,   and yet another one.  Slow me down to look around and to be thankful:  Thank You for bringing me here!  Thank You for allowing me to walk among these dear ones!  Thank You for the absolute assurance that You go before and behind me,  that You are always with me, and that You hold me by my right hand!  Amen.