Photo by Libba Gillum

A Student Prayer

It is all so new to me, God —
this place
these people
even me . . . I hardly recognize myself sometimes.

It is all so new to me —
some days it’s all I can do to find the cafeteria,
show up for class
meet yet one more new person.

It is all so new to me —
but other days it starts to feel a little like home
other days I catch glimpses of people who just
might become friends
other days things even fall into place for me in class.

It is all so new to me, God —
be here
be here with me
now.

Amen.

— Helen R. Neinast

Helen R. Neinast, a United Methodist pastor and former campus minister, is a writer and spiritual formation director. She lives in Lakemont, Ga.