George Fox University Collegiate Day of Prayer
February 29, 2024
A Liturgy of Prayer
Dear Families,
We believe that God desires to be in ongoing conversation with his beloved children. This conversation is the most significant way that you can support your student during his/her journey through college. Today is our annual Parent Day of Prayer. We invite you to join with us in praying for the George Fox community and to use this liturgy to guide you as you pray.
Grace and Peace to you,
The University Pastors
Prayers of Praise
God, we stand in awe of you today. You are our firm foundation, our refuge, and our Good Shepherd. You have led your people throughout the ages. You have been faithful to George Fox University and to our family.
We begin by celebrating who you are, Jesus.
(Take some time to offer prayers that describe God--attributes that you appreciate about God. (e.g., “God you are faithful,” “you are loving,” etc.)
Prayers of Confession
God, we come before you, aware of our own human weakness and propensity for sin. We confess that we need a Savior, we need your guidance, we need your provision, and we need your help.
(Consider offering personal prayers for your student, for your family, and for George Fox where you sense a need for God’s help, healing, forgiveness, and strength.)
Read: Mark 12:28-34
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Prayers of Intercession
George Fox University would be so grateful if you would consider praying for each of the following prayer requests. If you would like to, consider praying with your hands closed in a fist position as you pray for each one of these requests.
As you pray for each thing, ask God to place images of these things in your imagination and offer those mental pictures to God. As you finish praying for each thing, open your fists into flat palms, as if offering that to the Lord. Then move on to the next prayer request.
- Pray for your student
- Pray for the spiritual vitality of the university (for our worship, for Life Groups, for local service and outreach in the community, for students who are encountering God for the first time, for students as they are engaging in biblical studies classes, for the local churches that partner with our campus in shepherding students)
- Pray for the employees of George Fox (for those in leadership roles, for those who are teaching students, for those who take care of our facilities, for those who work behind the scenes to serve students)
- Pray for students who are preparing for graduation (pray that they will use their education to serve God, that they will find great churches, meaningful work, and good friends)
- Pray for students academically as their assignments and academic load picks up
- Pray for students who are making decisions to enroll at George Fox as freshmen or transfers for the fall semester
- Pray for the health of our community
- Pray safety from harm for our campus and for our students and employees
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Lord, thank you for the many ways that we have experienced your provision and nearness. Thank you for inviting us into conversation with you. Thank you for knowing us and loving us.
(Consider offering prayers of thanksgiving for ways that you have seen God’s faithfulness, provision, and love in your own life and in the life of your student.)
In the Name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.