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  "description": "A Prayer for the Week and Resources for Sunday, May 3, 2026",
  "path": "/for-high-school-seniors-letuspray/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-30T12:22:51.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.reyes-chow.com",
  "tags": [
    "LetUsPray",
    "The Revised Common Lectionary",
    "The Narrative Lectionary",
    "RCL Year A Readings (NRSV)",
    "Acts 7:55-60",
    "Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16",
    "1 Peter 2:2-10",
    "John 14:1-14",
    "NL442 Readings (CEB)",
    "Acts 17:16-31",
    "John 1:16-18",
    "Vanderbilt Revised Common Lectionary",
    "The Narrative Lectionary from The Working Preacher",
    "Purchase How Long, Oh Lord",
    "Gift Subscription",
    "Group Subscription",
    "Subscribe now"
  ],
  "textContent": "****Weekly #LetUsPray****\n\nI offer this weekly #LetUsPray as a way to stay anchored amidst the turmoil of the day. Paid subscribers have access to liturgical resources and sermon prompts based on the week's readings from The Revised Common Lectionary and/or The Narrative Lectionary.\n\nWe are quickly approaching high school graduation season.\n\nHonestly, after walking three kids through the ever-intensifying college admissions process, I do not miss it. As much as we tried, we all got sucked into the admissions rates game and did our best not to gauge our level of excitement by external (and manipulative) numbers. We were pretty good, but every once in a while, one of us, parents or graduates, caught ourselves wondering how so-and-so got into X University with a 5.7% admission rate. It was not always pretty 😔\n\nOur kids were set up with all of the privileges that allowed them to attend four-year schools, but not all graduates go to college, and not all young people even graduate from high school. These folks are often forgotten during these times when we sometimes let our genuine pride make others feel excluded.\n\nTo be clear, I am not anti-college (though in the age of A.I. one may want to rethink that Computer Science major). Higher education is important, even vital for some, but we must be careful not to communicate that a young person's worth is not based on graduating from high school, going to college, or even having a clue about what they want to do next.\n\nWith all of these things stirring the souls of many, I leave you this prayer.\n\n* * *\n\n### For High School Seniors #LetUsPray\n\n _let us pray —_\n\n _god of transitions and change\nduring this season of graduations_\n\n _remind us, again and again\nnot all young people are hopeful about the future\nand we must lament the world we have created _\n\n_remind us, again and again\nthere is much they have left behind\nand we must give them room to mourn what was_\n\n _remind us, again and again\nnot every graduate knows, \"what's next\"\nand we must encourage curiosity and patience_\n\n _remind us, again and again\nby choice or by circumstance\nnot all graduates go to college_\n\n _remind us, again and again\nthat the measure of our pride\nis not based on acceptance rates_\n\n _remind us, again and again\nthat \"letting go\" looks different for everyone\nand there is no right way to enter this next stage of life_\n\n _in whatever place these young people find themselves\nremind them again and again\ntheir worth does not come from a high school diploma\ntheir worth does not come from college admission\ntheir worth does not come from having a plan\ntheir worth comes from God_\n\n _may we surround the graduates in our lives\nto be their reminder — again and again_\n\n _for these things we pray — amen._\n\n* * *\n\nIf you are a parent sending off your first or third kid to college, embrace the tears! And if you are a young person leaving your parents, let them hover and help just a little bit longer.\n\nPeace,\n\n* * *\n\n## LITURGY AND PREACHING PROMPTS\n\n#### Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2026\n\nRCL Year A Readings (NRSV)**:** Acts 7:55-60 | Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 | 1 Peter 2:2-10 | John 14:1-14\nNL442 Readings (CEB)**:** Sermon at Athens: What you worship as unknown, I proclaim to you. Acts 17:16-31 | John 1:16-18\n\nIn writing liturgy, I attempt to be economical with words while addressing the events of the day in ways that help people find grounding in their faith. For readings, I refer to the Vanderbilt Revised Common Lectionary **(RCL)** and The Narrative Lectionary from The Working Preacher **(NL)**. Paid Subscribers should please feel free to use any of the liturgical resources with or without attribution.\n\nHow Long, Oh Lord?: A Prayerbook Concerning Gun Violence\n\nFor prayers that address the epidemic of gun violence in the United States, purchase a copy of __How Long, Oh Lord?: A Prayerbook Concerning Gun Violence__ and use promo code “BRC” for 20% off.\n\n\n                            Purchase How Long, Oh Lord\n                        \n\nIf you find this weekly prayer and liturgy offering or any other aspects of The Amalgamation meaningful, I would not hate it if you shared the joy with others through giving Gift Subscription or purchasing a Group Subscription.\n\n* * *\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "For High School Seniors #LetUsPray",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-30T12:22:50.829Z"
}