May 15: Thankfulness for Those who have Helped Us

 

            As we honor the work of others and ourselves, we pause to remember those who have helped us both during this semester and throughout our lives. We give thanks to God for the professors, tutors, and instructors who have dedicated themselves to teaching us. We are also thankful for the friends, classmates, and roommates who have supported us during our studies. May we also recognize the community built here on campus, which has afforded us so many opportunities to better ourselves. May God inspire us to express our gratitude to all those who have helped us and to emulate this generosity ourselves.

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April 3: Recognizing the Nourishing Power of Family and Friends

            We recognize the nourishing power of the love of our family and friends. We give thanks to God for the loved ones who accept us and care for us no matter how long we have been apart. May God grant us the empathy to show the same towards them. May our time with our family and friends heal past wounds of betrayal and grief. Let us use this break to express our appreciation towards those who nourish and renew our spirits, and commit ourselves to continued gratitude.

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January 13: Request for Renewal in Friendships

            We recognize that we often take our friendships for granted. While it is good to feel secure in our relationships, we pray that we still remember to treat our friends with compassion and generosity. May God renew our friendships with greater closeness and trust. May we discover the motivation and methods to express our gratitude to our friends for all they have done for us. We thank God for the friends we have and ask for help in remembering to care for them during our busy lives.

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November 27: Peace Among Old Friends

            As we meet with many old friends, we ask God to bless our reunions. We give thanks for the memories we share with these friends and for their new directions and relationships. May God help us accept the changes that occur as we grow up and negotiate the differences that may come between us. We rejoice in all the accomplishments our friends have made and celebrate our own achievements with them. We ask God to assist us in leaving behind jealousy and insecurity, as well as any old grudges we may hold. May God bless our meetings and promise us many more in the future.

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October 17: Discovery of God’s Gifts to Oneself

            While we are just individuals among billions of people, we recognize that God has given a lifetime of gifts to each of us. Instead of constantly looking outside ourselves for value, let us examine the richness of our lives in the present. We take this time to appreciate what we often overlook in pursuit of greater reward. We thank God for our old friends and our families, those both granted to us and those we have chosen. We give thanks to God for the chance to learn in this community. We thank God for giving us all of these gifts without asking for anything in return. May we discover similar generosity within our own hearts.

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