Lord God Almighty, no one rules over you.

You always were, and are, and will be. 

You stand in need of nothing.

 

You alone are true, and wise, and most high.

You alone are good, and beyond compare.

Your knowledge is without beginning.

 

You are God and Father of your only begotten Son,

    of our God and Savior, the creator of the whole world by him.

Your providence provides for and takes care of all.

 

Father of mercies, God of all consolation,

    you dwell in the highest heaven, 

        but see us here below.

 

From the beginning, you ordained leaders for your people:

Abel, Seth and Amos. Enoch and Noah. Melchizedek and Job.

Abraham and the rest of the patriarchs, with your faithful servants 

    Moses and Aaron, Eleazer and Phineas …

    who chose rulers and priests in the tabernacle.

 

Pour down the influence of your Spirit.

Grant by your name that your servants whom you have chosen

    may feed your flock, serving you night and day, 

    gathering those who will be saved.

 

May they please you in meekness and pure hearts,

    with steadfast spirits and blameless minds, being above reproach, 

    offering to you a pure sacrifice though Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

 

All glory, honor, and worship be to you in the Holy Spirit,

    now and always, and for all ages, Amen.

 

Apostolic Constitutions, 375-380, Syrian Christian church orders

Fount of Heaven, Prayers of the Early Church slightly modified

 

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Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. 

And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit 

    to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.