Prayer For Deacons
Through your Spirit, heavenly Father,
give these your servants grace and power to fulfil their ministry.
Make them faithful to serve
and constant in advancing your gospel in the world.
May they follow the example of Jesus Christ your Son,
who washed the feet of his disciples,
and set the needs of others before his own.
May their life be disciplined and holy,
their words declare your love
and their actions reveal your glory,
that your people may walk with them in the way of truth
and be made ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;
to whom, with you and your Holy Spirit,
belong glory and honour, worship and praise, now and for ever.
Lord Jesus, you came to serve, not to be served,
form within us your generous spirit;
Fill us with your love,
that we may love the Father as your love him.
Fill us with your compassion,
that we may see our brothers and sisters
as you see them.
Fill us with your courage,
that we may give our lives in service to the Church
as you gave your life for her.
Fill us with that Spirit which will make us
preachers of your Word,
ministers of your Sacrifice,
servants of your Bride,
friends of the poor,
and the voice of the forgotten.
Transform us through your Holy Spirit
so that we may transform the world into
Your Kingdom of justice and faith.
Amen.
Come to my assistance my Lord and my God, that I may do for You all that you ask. Strengthen me in adversity and do not let me succumb to my feelings of worthlessness. Help me to feel in my heart all that You speak to me, and help me to understand. May I be to others what they need: a body to work when others cannot; a heart to love those who are forgotten; a shoulder to console those whose soul is in need; a smile to brighten the most somber of Your children; a mouth to proclaim Your love. Let me be to You, as a brush is to a painter, worthless without You, but capable of transforming the human heart by the power of Your mercy. Send me, my Lord if you need me, to touch others as You would touch them, to hold them as You would, to love them as only You can. Make my heart like Yours, that I may forgive everything and love beyond my own human frailty. Come live within me, that I may die to myself so You may fill my very being. Let me serve others as You would serve them, that in doing so I may serve You. Do not let me fail, oh Lord, or lead Your people astray. Allow me to live in Your presence today, that tomorrow I may die in Your hands and may You raise me one day that I may touch your face and live in Your glory.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all,
Send your Spirit upon me as I serve your Church.
Give me eyes to see the needs of your people.
Give me a discerning mind to know your truth.
Give me a generous spirit when I am tired but needed.
Give me a humble heart when my work goes unnoticed.
Give me peace of mind in obedience and service.
Give me health of body so I may serve with strength.
Make me fertile ground for your inspiration and love.
Comfort me when I question myself and my ministry.
Grant me grace as I age so I may share your wisdom.
Make my heart like yours so I may love your people.
Amen.
O Jesus, Eternal High Priest, live in (name of priest/deacon)
Act in him, speak in and through him.
Think Your Thoughts in his mind, love through his heart.
Give him Your own dispositions and feelings.
Teach, lead and guide him always.
Correct, enlighten and expand his thoughts and behavior.
Possess his soul; take over his entire personality and life.
Replace him with yourself.
Incline in and through him.
Let him live in you and keep him in this intimate union always.
O Mary, Immaculate Conception, Mother of Jesus and Mother of Priests, Pray and intercede for (name of priest/deacon).
Amen
Eternal Father,
We lift up to you these and all the priests, deacons of the world.
Sanctify them.
Heal them; guide them.
Mold them into the likeness and holiness of your son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.
May their lives be pleasing to you.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
since the time of the Apostles
you have inspired the Church
to commission certain members
to assist in a special way
in the pastoral mission of Christ.
Bless the deacons
and all other ordained
and non-ordained ministers
that they may be humble
and faith-inspired in their service.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all,
Send your Spirit upon [our deacons and their wives] as [they] serve your Church.
Give [them] eyes to see the needs of your people.
Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth.
Give [them] a generous spirit when [they are] tired but needed.
Give [them] a humble heart when [their] work goes unnoticed.
Give [them] peace of mind in obedience and service.
Give [them] health of body so [they] may serve with strength.
Make [them] fertile ground for your inspiration and love.
Comfort [them] when [they] question [themselves and their] ministry.
Grant [them] grace as [they] age so [they] may share your wisdom.
Make [their] heart[s] like yours so [they] may love your people.
Amen.