Shepherd with a Flock of Sheep, Van Gogh, via Wikimedia Commons
Lord, cleanse our churches, and repair their walls,
so that they may become gardens of delight
for Christ to walk in and take pleasure in.
May her ministers be faithful and wise:
faithful so they do not deceive others;
wise so they do not deceive themselves.
May their wisdom prevent deceivers imposing on them,
and their faithfulness prevent them imposing on others.
May their wisdom enable them to discern
wholesome food for the flock
and their faithfulness oblige them to distribute it.
May our leaders be pure
with spiritual aims and intentions,
serving not their own honor and intentions, but yours.
May our leaders show sincerity,
not appearing outwardly spiritual
while being inwardly carnal.
May our leaders be diligent,
like men in harvest,
like women in labor,
like men in battle,
watching while others sleep.
May our leaders lack favoritism,
as those who will appear before an impartial God.
May they take the same care,
manifest the same love,
show the same diligence
to the poorest and weakest souls in their care
as they do the rich, the great and the honorable.
For all souls are rated the same in your book of life,
and our Redeemer paid as much for one as the other.
May their faithfulness fix their eyes on the right end,
and may their wisdom direct them
to the best means of attaining it.
May they lay a good foundation of knowledge in our souls,
choosing subjects that will meet our needs,
shaping the language in which they address us,
using their own affections to move us,
being careful of their behavior.
Send them often to their knees
to seek your blessings upon their labor,
knowing that all their success
entirely depends upon you.
John Flavel, c. 1627–1691, English Puritan Presbyterian minister
__________________________
To the elders among you,
I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings
who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care,
watching over them—not because you must,
but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;
not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve ;
not lording it over those entrusted to you,
but being examples to the flock.
prayer & verse 
