A group of Sallisaw graduates was recently discussing the opening prayer given by Rev. Morley of the First Christian Church in Sallisaw at the ribbon cutting ceremony at the old Sallisaw High School.
His prayer expressed the feelings of most of us who were in attendance at the ceremony. The work which we were unveiling was done with the Centennial Funds the Old Sallisaw High School Association had received.
With Rev. Morley's permission, we want to share it with others in our community who most likely have the same thoughts about our old high school:
God of All,
Thank you for history, for memorials, and for memories. The Bible records the history of Your dealings with us. Your people set up many memorials, and You established memorials, lest we forget Your great works.
Our history is the root of who we are, and our memories continually remind us of who we are. This building is being dedicated today as a memorial to remind all who studied and taught here of our history and our memories.
Father, we mourn what was lost through fire, and can never be replaced. We ask Your peace in our hearts that we may lay aside our mourning and rejoice in the true treasures that we received in this school, treasures that cannot be destroyed or lost.
We ask that this building might be a reminder to all of the history we share. We have a rich heritage together, and may we be reminded of it day by day as we drive by this place, or as we walk in this park. Our memories took place in this building, but our memories are not really about the building. Lord, we remember teachers and students, friendships and rivalries, joys and tragedies, romances, lessons from books and lessons from life.
Generations studied here, and some returned to teach new generations. Each generation is the product of those who have gone before. We thank You for those who have been a part of our lives in times past, for present friends, and we pray that You will help us pass on the riches of life to the next generation.
Amen.
MARY JO STITES
SALLISAW
