Gracious God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid. In the Psalms you tell us our days in this life are like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone. On this day when we celebrate the transition from child to adult, from civilian to Marine,* we honor the gift of this day and the gift of each day, for we never know which one will be our last. Never resting time rushes by under your sovereign eye, God, and when we look to your celestial face, may our every word and deed be pleasing in your sight and magnify your blessing upon us. Yes, grasses and flowers flourish and then fade with a passing wind, but it is your love that does not age, your love that remains steadfast from everlasting to everlasting. When we resist and fight, when we yield and heal, when we are born and when we die, may your gaze relentlessly rest upon us, luring us to accept the clarity of your call, the power of your touch, and the guidance of your wisdom. May it be so. Amen.

*While Chaplain Maginn wrote this prayer for a graduating class of U.S. Marines, WorshipWeb invites you to modify it for use as a Bridging or Coming of Age prayer.