A Prayer for the Ordering of Pastors
I’ve attended a few ordinations recently and it reminded me of this prayer for ordinands in the Book of Common Prayer.
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.
Thy blessed Unction from above,
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of both, to be but One.
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song;
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Otherwise, read Rhys Bezzant’s article on Why Ordination? My pieces on The Priestly Service of Proclaiming the Gospel and Why Be Anglican: My Story.