Almighty Father, who in the marvel of Your divine grace blesses us through faith beyond all our works; who through Jesus has given us hope; and who by the Spirit’s power holds us in love;
Grant to us who are gathered here the continued promise of still greater faith, hope, and charity;
Give to us an abiding gratitude for the faithfulness of all your saints through the ages whose labors have made possible the goodness of Christian intellectual community; instill in us a right devotion for the legacy of Samuel Palmer Brooks that we commemorate here in the dedication of Brooks Village to your service; and inspire us to stronger and more confident faith because of those whose selfless commitment to You beckons us to better and nobler service today;
Bring about among us not only the fulfillment of Baylor University’s mission, but also and supremely the accomplishment of your purposes for our lives; as we labor patiently and hopefully, keep far from us the errors of either presumption or despair by making us humble and magnanimous in our pilgrimage as your children of promise; and
Convert us each day, that the spirit of “mine” and “ours” may become through love an acknowledgement that everything is Yours, that we may return your generosity as we cherish your gifts as occasions to bless others, and that in life together ordered by the love of you–and not in self-preferring pursuits–we may open ourselves up to your divine life;
These things we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, to the glory of the Three-in-One whose love “rules the sky” and “our hearts as well.” Amen.
