Prayers Over Vanguard: Faculty and Staff Bless the 2026–27 Year

In just a few short days, Vanguard University will again bustle with the buzz of a new academic year. Hundreds of new students and their families will step onto campus for the first time, while returning students come home to a community they already love. As the fall semester begins August 31, will you join our faculty and staff in prayer for both new and returning students as they begin this new academic year?

Roxanna Ochoa, PhD, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Biology
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that our students will thrive academically, fully equipped to grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. May they flourish spiritually and morally in every area of their lives. Grant our faculty wisdom and patience as they mentor students in the classroom and walk with them in faith. Give our campus community the strength to accomplish our goals in the year ahead, and peace to calm our hearts as we face both academic and personal challenges. I ask for Your guidance and blessing over Vanguard University. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Heather (Rachels ’02) Clements, Alumni Director
Lord, we look to you always. Here we are at the start of a school new year, fresh start and adventures await, and again we are looking to you. We are trusting your faithful hand will continue to guide and sustain us. We know you are always with us, bring your comfort and peace to families of our incoming students, and may they sense your presence as they are here on our campus. We thank you God for your steadfast help. We honor you and ask for you to be at the center of our hearts and minds.

May they grow in their intimate knowledge of You, may they feel the presence of the Spirit at all times, and may they have a generous heart to take care of one another.

Renea Brathwaite, PhD, Dean, School of Theology and Ministry
Heavenly Father, we approach Your throne with faith and wonder at Your incredible love. As a new year begins, we pray Your blessings upon our students and their families. Grant wisdom, grace, and provision beyond imagination. Envelop their lives with Your goodness, that they may experience hope, transformation, deep community, and unwavering peace—as students and parents alike make progress toward their calling and mission. May their earnest pursuit of truth, commitment to virtue, and dedicated service bring great honor to Your Name. In Jesus’ name and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

Ismael L. Medel, PhD, Dean, Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management
Señor, te damos gracias por las vidas de los estudiantes que has traído a Vanguard University para este curso académico. Te pedimos tu protección, sabiduría y paz para sus vidas y las de sus familias. Te pedimos, señor, que su tiempo con nosotros sea un tiempo de transformación académica y personal, pero, sobre todo, de crecimiento espiritual. Que crezcan en su conocimiento íntimo de ti, que sientan la presencia del espíritu en todo momento y que tengan un corazón generoso y se cuiden unos a otros. Gracias también a los profesores y a todo el personal que cuida de los alumnos y dedica sus vidas a ellos. Ayúdanos, Padre, a honrarte en todo lo que hacemos. Amen.

English Translation: 
Lord, we give you thanks for the lives of the students you have brought to Vanguard University this academic year. We ask for your protection, wisdom, and peace for their lives and their families. We ask you, Lord, that their time with us be a time of transformation; academic and personal, but above all, of spiritual growth. May they grow in their intimate knowledge of You, may they feel the presence of the Spirit at all times, and may they have a generous heart to take care of one another. Thank you also for the faculty and staff who take care of them and pour their lives into them. Help us, Father, to honor you in everything we do. Amen. 

Kayli (Cotten ’06) Hillebrand DLd, Dean, Student Success and Academic Services
Lord, we know that you are going to do mighty things in and through our students this year. We ask that you would meet each one where they are and walk with them in ways only you can. Give them the confidence to meet challenges head on, the anticipation of being shaped by your Spirit, and the courage to ask for help when they need it. Develop new relationships among peers, staff, and faculty that would be life giving and aid in the good work you are already doing in them. May your face shine upon them. Amen. 

Envelop their lives with Your goodness, that they may experience hope, transformation, deep community, and unwavering peace.

Renee Rose, Dean, School of Education
Father God, we thank you for your goodness and mercy over our students. As they step into this new season of learning and growth, may they experience the power and love of your presence in their lives. Father, may you give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the deep and intimate knowledge of you and your calling over their lives. We commit this year into your hands, Oh God, and we pray for your kingdom to come and for your will to be done in our lives at Vanguard University. May we truly walk as those fully surrendered to you and your plans and purposes for us. Father, may the truth and power of your Word become more alive in each of us this year! Thank you for hearing our prayers, guiding our steps, and showering us with your truth, love, and wisdom!

Jeff Bussell, Director of Athletics 
Lord, we lift up Vanguard University as we step into this new year. Thank you for every student, faculty member, and staff hand that makes this place a home for learning and faith. Give our leaders wisdom, our teachers, coaches, and staff passion, and our students hungry hearts. Give us strength to lift those who are struggling, celebrate those who are succeeding, and faithfully serve those You have placed around us. Bring fresh vision to every classroom, office, and field. Protect this campus and knit our community together in unity and purpose. Let this year be marked by growth: academically, spiritually, and in character. May everything done here point back to You. Bless this university.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Dellareese Cofield-Martinze, Associate Dean of Student Engagment
Dear Lord, May this be a year where we return to the wells and start digging! May our students, staff, and faculty be reminded of the promises you have for them as individuals, and the pieces each of us play in the purpose of Vanguard. May our students walk boldly in you knowing their life has purpose. May every student feel seen, known, cared for and loved. May the staff take personally the calling you have for us on this campus, in this time. May we all know your love and share that love widely. We thank you, Lord for another year to fall more in love with you and to show love and compassion to our campus community. May we dig into love, grace, kindness, forgiveness, and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.