Graduation ceremonies are times of celebration. After all, a student is moving on after many years of demanding work in learning and participating in extracurricular activities. It is one of the moments that students are excited about whether they are in college or high school. Since this is one of the most awaited events for the student, you can pray for the graduation ceremony or exercise itself. You can pray for good weather during the ceremony/exercise, for the program to go smoothly, and that no technical difficulties will occur.
You can pray this prayer for the upcoming graduation ceremony/exercise:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for this wonderful day when students will receive their hard-earned diplomas after studying for many years. I pray for good weather today and that the ceremony will run smoothly and experience no serious problems. In the unlikely event that there are problems, I pray that the coordinators and the people in charge will be able to solve them right away. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christian Graduation Prayer
Can students lead prayers at graduation?
Of course. While there is an establishment clause in the first amendment that forbids prayer in public schools, you can certainly try to grab whatever opportunity you can to pray at a graduation ceremony. We have to be wise in this since being forceful may be counterproductive in our goal to make disciples. We don’t want to become irresponsible and stubborn and force something upon others. We don’t force people just to reach out to them. However, as much as we can, even if it is a tiny window of opportunity that we can take advantage of, we should, by all means, seize the opportunity to pray. It is written in Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 1:16, Matthew 10:33, and Matthew 10:16:
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Romans 1:16
“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
We have to be as innocent as doves, yet cunning or wise like serpents as we use whatever leverage that we can to have the opportunity to pray at the graduation ceremony, if possible. What we have is something that we should never be ashamed of, which is the Gospel of Christ. Of course, you don’t preach the Gospel when you are asked to pray for the ceremony, but you can insert specific themes that point toward Christ.
You can pray this prayer as you seek the opportunity to pray for a graduation ceremony:
Heavenly Father, I pray for an open door or an opportunity to pray at the graduation ceremony/exercise. I pray that You would touch the hearts of the persons in charge of the program to allow me to pray at the graduation. Even if I am not the one who will pray, it’s okay as long as any Christian can take advantage of the opportunity. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christian Graduation Prayer
If you get to pray at the graduation ceremony, you can have this prayer as a guide as to what you can say:
Father in heaven, I thank You for this wonderful day where we get to celebrate the culmination of our years of hard work and learning. I thank You for sustaining us all those years. I pray, Father, that as we go out into the real world, You will use us to significantly impact this world and make a difference. May we always strive to make the world a better place and uphold that which is morally right. I thank You because each of us has a purpose in Christ. May we apply what we have learned from our teachers as we start our careers. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
How do you pray for a graduate?
If you have a friend who is a graduate or a family member, you can also pray for the graduate. You can pray for them whether they are a Christian or not. If they are not a Christian, then it is a good opportunity to minister. Here is how you can pray for a non-Christian graduate:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the grace that You have given [graduate] that they could overcome all those years of challenges in their studies. I pray, Father, that You will lead them into a career, job, or company in which they will be able to grow and contribute to the good of society. I pray that the culture shall not carry them along but they will be counter-cultural and stand up for what is rational and morally right. I thank You because Your children are made with a purpose in life, and they can find theirs only in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
If the graduate is a Christian:
Father in heaven, I thank You for all the grace and strength you have given [graduate] during all those years of being a student. I pray that just as they were faithful in their studies, they shall continue to be faithful and excellent in their future jobs and careers. I pray that they will continue to glorify You in their work and always remember that they are working not for their superiors but for You. I pray that they will continue to be the salt and light wherever You bring them and preach Christ there. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christian Graduation Prayer
Graduation is a moment not just of celebration but of thanksgiving toward God as well. In the end, whatever a person has achieved during their student years was all because of God’s grace. The credit and glory do not belong to the student but to God. Even the intellect that someone has that has helped them in their studies is from God. That is why the best thing to do at graduation, whether it’s us or someone we know who is graduating, is to thank God.