Set Aflame Our Affections

Almighty God, you are the Creator and Lord of all that is.  From you, through you, and to you are all things, and we stand humbled and empowered to be in the flood stream of your grace, love, and life.


As we come together to begin this new academic year, we confess to you that we come entangled in our sin and profoundly aware of our finitude.  You will always be the Creator, and we always your creation; so to you we look as we study the intricacy and mystery of your world.


We ask that you would illumine our minds, open our hearts, and set aflame our affections.


Would you, as you both reveal and cloak the wonders of your world, give us enthusiasm and patience, diligence and rest?


Would you, as you humble us, give us ever-greater confidence in your character?


Would you, as we become ever more aware of our sins and struggles, soak us in your Gospel.


Would you, as you teach us, also heal us?


Father, we are thankful for the gift of your Son, the one who not only holds all things together, but who also knows the pains and struggles of our lives.  We thank you for the hope of redemption he achieved which lifts our gaze to the new creation.


And we ask that by your Spirit you might refresh our community, giving us a taste of the heavenly communion which awaits, where we will stand in your Triune glory, captured by your beauty, secure in your presence, freely loving one another and living in harmony with the rest of your creation.


We ask these things in Jesus name,
Amen.




(Kelly Kapic, Covenant College, Convocation 2010)