It is marvelous to experience a prayer that was written and delivered by a mathematician. Dr. Tony Smith is a sterling example of a man who knows how to craft a prayer for the occasion. It happened on the campus of Emmanuel College, on Friday morning, October 1, 2010. It was at the 63rd Annual Feast of Ingathering. in the The John W. Swails Center on the expanding campus of our four-year college in the rolling red clay hills of northeast Georgia. It is a sacred place and has blessed countless thousands of students who have attended Emmanuel College.
Dr. Tony Smith's prayer will not soon be forgotten. I went up to him immediately after the benediction and asked hm for his copy. He graciously gave me his prayer. So, I want to share it with you. I trust that it will strike a spiritual chord in your heart as it did mine and I am sure all who gathered that day.
Let us pray together.
Emmanuel -- God is with us.
Emmanuel -- Jesus is with us.
Emmanuel -- the Holy Spirit is with us.
Emmanuel -- Lord, it is not just a college in Frankin Springs, Georgia.
But Emmanuel -- God You are with us. It is Your nature. It is the way You are.
You are ALWAYS with us -- in the classroom, on the highways, on the fields and courts, in the cafeteria, in Bible studies, in church, in our prayer closets, in our worship, in sickness and in heartaches.
You ARE everywhere. You are omnipresent.
You are God with us Right here Right Now. Hallelujah!
So, Lord we ask You to receive our worship and thanksgiving.
Let every word that is said, every note that is sung,
every instrument that is played, every hand that is raised,
every sacrifice that has been made,
every cent that is given,
Let every person's presence here declare that YOU ARE EMMANUEL GOD WITH US.
So, today Lord we accept the charge of the 100th Psalm.
Psalm 100
1. Make a joyful noise unto Emmanuel God with us.
2. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
3. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and now we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD EMMANUEL IS GOOD; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
EMMANUEL EMMANUEL GOD IS WITH US. AMEN.
[Editor's Note: I composed Dr. Tony Smith's prayer on my computer from the manuscript on which his prayer was typed and printed. I enjoyed doing it for you my readers to read, to reflect, meditate and pray. Many of you could not be present, but now you will know more of the man who crafted and delivered this magnificent prayer. He is not a pastor, but a math teacher and lecturer.]
Posted on
Wed, October 6, 2010
by Hugh Morgan