Eternal Spirit, who, whether we walk in green pastures, beside still waters, or through the valley of the shadow of death, can be our guide and helper, we bow with reverence in prayer.
Grant, we pray thee, that by whatever name we call thee, or though we call thee by no name at all, every soul in thy presence may find the divine and by the divine be found, and so be elevated and cleansed, unified and empowered.
Make us worthy of the friends we have loved and known, and of friends unknown, through whose multiplied service and sacrifices across the ages a great heritage has come to us.
Make us worthy of the mothers and fathers that were before us and help us to be grateful that thou hast not called us into a finished world but into an Earth unfinished that we might bear a hand with thee in its completion.
Deepen, we beseech thee, our appreciation of the opportunities that face us in this troubled time. Teach us the high meaning of hardship and adversity. Open our eyes to see opportunity here where it is provided, and to be challenged and not defeated, knowing that those who are for us are more than those who are against us.
Enlarge our thoughts. Thou hast set us in so great a universe, deep and high beyond our comprehension and imagining, that we would have our lives touched to greatness because we are its citizens. Enlarge our horizons. Expand our minds. Greaten our hopes. Withdraw us from the small and mean limitations of daily life, and as from some high hill give us in thy presence large outlooks on thy world.
For it is in the name and Spirit of Christ we pray, Amen.
Amphitheater High School Commencement Ceremony, June 1962, Charlie Jones