Academic Convocation Prayer, Fall 2007

Hidden Singer,
who teaches the birds their melodies
and whispers tunes into the ears of musical geniuses,
Come by here.
So that we might hear your harmony and live with hope.

O Creator of the world that is "very good"
and from whom everything that is beautiful and true issues,
today you might hear us use the word "best."
O Ancient of Days,
today you might hear us use the word "oldest."
O You who morning by morning renews with world with new mercies,
today you might hear us use words like "latest," "greatest," and "avant
garde."

Look with compassionate indulgence upon our enthusiasms,
upon our outlandish academic robes and exaggerated rhetoric.
They are merely expressions of our gratitude for being alive and for
having a mission.

We ask only
that you teach us to grow in love,
and that you teach us how to live even a single day without oppressing
someone else,
and that you help us do some little thing in the spirit of Jesus,
in whose name we pray.
Amen.

Gregory Mobley
Professor of Old Testament