God, as we prepare for the coming of a new semester.
Make us ready, attentive and available to hear you.
Thank you for the gift of being able
to rise each day with the assurance that
you walk through it with us.
Thank you for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness,
and the energy to put them to good use.
May all that we are today,
all that we try to do today,
may all our encounters, reflections,
even the frustrations and failings
all be placed in your hands.
May the work we do and the way we do it,
bring new hope, new life, and courage
to all we come in contact with this semester.
We thank you God.
(from Xavier University)