Prayer: Ordination of a bishop

Ten years ago a most solemn prayer re-ordered my life: The Laying on of Hands at the ordination of a bishop

The bishop-elect kneels before the Primate, who says

Blessed are you, Lord our God!

You have given us your only Son

to be the Apostle and High Priest of our faith,

and the Shepherd of our souls.

Exalted as Lord of all,

he poured out the Spirit and gave gifts to your people,

making some to be apostles, some prophets,

some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,

to equip the saints for the work of ministry,

and to build up the body of Christ.

And now we give you thanks

that you have called your servant John

whom we consecrate in your name,

to the ministry of bishop in your Church.

Here the Primate and bishops present lay their hands on the head of the bishop-elect, the Primate saying

Send down the Holy Spirit upon your servant John

whom we set apart by the laying on of our hands,

for the office and work of a bishop in your Church.

Fill your servant, merciful God, with grace and power,

that he may always be ready to proclaim

the good news of salvation.

Fill his heart with love of you and your people,

that he may feed and tend the flock of Christ.

Give him humility, and defend him from all evil,

that he may exercise without reproach the office of bishop,

using its authority to heal, and not to hurt,

to build up, and not destroy.

Accept our prayer through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

belong glory and honour, worship and praise, now and for ever. Amen.

From the Service for The Ordination of Bishops, A Prayer Book for Australia, Broughton Books 1995, page 805.

May the Holy Spirit deepen our merciful God’s work within me.

Bishop John