Prayer For The Leaders Of The Flock

Father, be with the leaders of your flock
in their needs today.
Help your bishops and priests
to interpret the Gospel message
with clarity and urgency,
witnessing in their own lives
to the teaching and example of Christ.

Fortify and encourage those among them
who are fearful and confused;
be truly a Father to those who have fallen away.

Bless those who are involved
in new responses to contemporary needs;
guide those who direct and foster dialogue
with other Christians,
with non-Christians
and with the secular city.

Assist those who are trying
to promote Christian values,
that with zeal tempered by prudence,
and in the framework of lawful authority,
they may help to build up
a truly Christian world for man.

Send your Holy Spirit in a new outpouring,
so that under these leaders chosen by you,
the entire People of God
may progress in a harmonious cooperation
towards their final consummation in unity,
truth and love by,
with and in your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen.

[Source: posted on the Franciscan Spirit mailing list on April 30, 2003 by Nadine Mansour;
also prayer # 20 in: Chalice of Strength, Page 30. Crusade for Priests, Detroit, Michigan,
1996 (www.opusangelorum.org).]