Today we celebrate the greatness of our God—the one who created us with minds to learn, gave us the abilities to master skills, and opens our hearts to understand that all learning is for his glory. We ask each person worshiping here today, whether four or eighty-four, to stand as we now celebrate schooling in this "Litany of Learning."
We stand before you, Lord, to proclaim your greatness. You have given us creation, which is the fruit of your creative genius and power. You call us to care for your world. Help us to learn about your world so that we can be faithful to our calling.
We thank you for creation.
*WE PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER!
We promise
to use our minds to study your world,
to use our eyes, hands, and ears to learn, and
to use our tongues to discuss, question, and probe.
We are fearfully and wonderfully made!
*WE PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER!
We celebrate ideas, numbers, words, and skills. We celebrate puzzles, paints, and colors. We celebrate imagination, instruments, and enzymes. All of it, Lord, is a part of your world.
Your world is marvelous!
*WE PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER!
We thank you for teachers who teach about your world. We thank you for students who see the wonder of your world unfold before them as they study. We thank you for textbooks that explain and help us explore the wonders of your world. We thank you for our classmates.
*WE PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER!
Help us to learn with joy. Nudge us to set higher goals when learning is easy, to keep on trying when learning is difficult, and to use the full potential you've given each of us.
Thank you, Lord, that we serve you in our learning.
*WE PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER!
Help us to know that when our student days are over, you will show us where to serve you further, using what we have learned to meet the challenges of your world. Help us to be faithful.
*WE PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER!
We thank you, God, for our teachers and students.
We support and encourage them in learning.
Give us a desire to learn.
Give us strength and energy.
Give us a desire to do our very best.
Father, we will uphold our students and teachers in prayer.
Together, Lord, we promise to study and use our learning today and tomorrow as we serve you faithfully. We give you all the praise, honor, and glory.
*WE PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER! AMEN.
*To enable young children who cannot read to take part in this litany, explain that each time you hold up your hand, they are to say WE PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER! You may want to practice that refrain a couple of times before beginning. As you say the litany together, hold up your hand each time you come to the phrase that's in bold capital print and preceded by an asterisk. This simple technique allows the youngsters of the congregation to fully participate in this exciting part of worship.