"As we head back into our classrooms, may you
go forth fully convinced of our love and your capacity. May you be the head and
not the tail, leading others - and yourself - on a path of flourishing.
May your roots go down deep into God's soil
so you will bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
May you remember your people, where you come
from, and find your place of belonging.
May you become even more fully who you were
always meant to be this year. We delight in you, darling.
We pray that you would sow seeds of life and
hope wherever you find yourself, cultivating a harvest of shalom.
May you be prepared for every good work that
lies ahead of you.
May your mind be clear and engaged, your
memory sharp, your wisdom beyond your years. May you ask for what you need
without fear or shame.
May you be safe, beloved child, protected
from anything that seeks to steal, kill, or destroy in any measure. When
you are afraid, may you feel our love wrapped around you and take heart.
When disappointments or disasters come - and
they will - may you find the depths of the resilience we already see in you and
rise, rise, rise again.
May you do what is right and good and kind
and just, no matter what every one else might do. Don’t submerge your true self
into the dreams, plans, behaviors, or agendas of others. Bring your full
beloved self to these days, knowing you are created in the image of God.
We pray that you would be a blessing to your
teachers and the school staff and we pray that they, in turn, would see and
affirm you in the fullness God has created.
We pray for good friendships that will
sharpen and delight you.
We pray you would have eyes to see the lonely
ones. May you have many opportunities to practice being both brave and
kind.
Beloved child of God, we send you out in the
power and peace of Love itself, prepared and anointed, knowing you walk upon
steady ground.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy
Spirit, one God and Mother of us all.
Amen."
-Sarah Bessey
