Prayer Resources for our Time of Transition Discernment for the Search & Election of the IV Bishop of Southeast Florida During the life of the church there are events, such as the election of a Bishop, for which it is fitting to offer prayers on a regular basis. Due to the fact that different congregations pray for such events in different ways, it seemed appropriate that we offer a variety of prayer resources for the election of the IV Bishop of Southeast Florida for use within public worship, within prayer and other small groups, and for individual use. We offer four basic resources: The first is the Prayer for the Election of a Bishop found on page 818 in the BCP. The second resource is a variety of petitions for use within the Prayers of the People that are adaptations of that same Prayer for the Election of a Bishop. The reason for using this prayer as a starting point for these petitions is so that, as much as possible, our prayer remains common. A third resource listed here is a Litany for Discernment for the Election of a Bishop. It is adapted from similar litanies published by the Episcopal Dioceses of the Rio Grande and New York, whose litanies were adapted from the BCP and prayers by the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. We suggest that the Litany be used at the start of every meeting, and for the Diocese to use these resources at public worship within their own parishes. It is our hope that these resources will be of use for you and your congregation. A fourth resource includes various prayers for the Search Committee and the Diocese. * * * * * * 1) A Prayer for the Election of a Bishop From the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (Page 818) For the Election of a Bishop Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 2) Petitions for use in the BCP Prayers of the People For use within the Rite I Prayers of the People (to be added as one of the needs and concerns of the congregation ) We ask thy guidance and direction upon those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese, that we may receive an upright and faithful pastor, who will care for thy people and endow us for our ministries. Petition for Form I of the Rite II Prayers of the People (to be added after the petition that begins For our Bishop ) For the Search Committee to Elect a Coadjutor Bishop, for all who are nominated, and for all those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Petition for Form II of the Rite II Prayers of the People (to be added in place of the first petition that begins I ask you prayers for God s people throughout the world ) I ask your prayers for God's people throughout the world; for Katherine our Presiding Bishop, for Leo our Diocesan Bishop, for Laish, Julio, Todd, and Jean Zache, Bishops of our Companion Dioceses, for our Search Committee to Elect a Coadjutor Bishop, for all who are nominated, and for all those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church. Silence Petitions for Form III of the Rite II Prayers of the People (to be added as a separate suffrage & response after the third one which begins We pray for all bishops ) So guide the minds of those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese; That we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. (to be added as one of our own needs and those of others ) For the Committee to Elect our next Bishop, for all who are nominated, and for all those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. Petition for Form IV of the Rite II Prayers of the People (to be added after the first petition which begins Grant, Almighty God ) Look graciously on your Church, and guide the minds of those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. Silence Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer. Petition for Form V of the Rite II Prayers of the People (to be added after the second petition which begins For N. our Presiding Bishop ) For the Committee to Elect a Bishop, for all who are nominated, and for all those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries, we pray to you, O Lord. Petitions for Form VI of the Rite II Prayers of the People (to be added as a separate suffrage & response after the final one which begins For N. our Presiding Bishop ) For the those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese; For all who are nominated, for the Committee to Elect the Next Bishop, and for all who shall choose the next Bishop. (to be added as one of the needs and concerns of the congregation ) For the Committee to Elect a Bishop, for all who are nominated, and for all those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries.
For use within Rite II Eucharistic Prayer D (to be added as one of the needs and concerns of the congregation ) Remember the Search Committee to Elect a Coadjutor Bishop, remember all who are nominated, remember all those who shall choose the next bishop of this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. 3) Litany of Discernment for the Election of a Bishop This Litany may be used on its own or as part of a public worship service. It may be used before, within, or after the Daily Office or it may be used before or after the Holy Eucharist or as part of the Prayers of the People. If the Litany is said on its own the Officiant may say In these days before our Diocese assembles to elect a coadjutor bishop, it is appropriate that we bring our prayers to almighty God, asking for discernment and guidance, that in all our deliberations and conversations, the Holy Spirit might be present and make known to us a bishop of God s own choosing. If the Litany is said on its own the Officiant says Let us pray. The Officiant or Reader leads the petitions Almighty and everliving God, in all ages you have raised up faithful servants to pastor and guide your holy people and to make known your will among us: increase in us the gifts of discernment and understanding that we might know and do your will as we prepare to elect a bishop for your Church. Open our minds, our hearts, and our eyes that we may see you and choose as you would, a new bishop of faith and godliness. Open our ears and guide our tongues that, in all our conversations and deliberations, our listening and speaking might be filled with your grace and favor. Make known to us who best will share compassion and grace to care for our clergy, churches and ourselves. Reveal to us a bishop who is filled with the Holy Spirit and who will passionately support the mission and ministries of our Diocese. Gracious and loving God, you are our guide and Good Shepherd, in you we place our hope and trust: hear the prayers of your faithful people, lead us to one mind and one heart in you, and show us that bishop who will feed and tend your flock. Unless it has already been said, or will be said later, the Lord s Prayer may be said.
If the Litany is said on its own, the Officiant may then conclude with the following: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (all the above adapted from Prayers of Discernment for the Search & Election of the XVI Bishop of New York) 4) Various Prayers for the Search Committee & the Diocese a) Prayer for all to Pray for the Search Committee and the Diocese Holy Spirit, who broods over the world, fill the hearts and minds of your servants on the Bishop s Search Committee for the Diocese of Southeast Florida with wisdom, clarity and courage. Work in them as they examine and recommend candidates to serve as the 4 th Bishop of Southeast Florida. Help them propose candidates who will effectively proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, to challenge our diocese to seek and serve Christ in all persons loving our neighbors as ourselves and to be a blazing light for the kind of justice and peace that leads to all people respecting the dignity of every human being. Be with our diocese that we all may be open to the challenges that this process will bring to us and help the whole church to discern your will for our future. In the name of Jesus Christ our Mediator, on whose life this Church was founded. Amen. (adapted from TREC The Episcopal Church s Taskforce on Reimagining the Episcopal Church) b) Prayer for All to Pray in our Time of Transition God of Love, You are with us in every transition and change. As we enter into this new era with excitement and even some anxiety, we recall your deep compassion, presence, and abounding love. We thank you for the gifts, talents and skills with which you have blessed us. We thank you for the experiences that have brought us to this moment. We thank you for the work of others that gives breadth and depth to our own work. Be with us as we move forward, rejoicing with you and supporting one another. We ask this in your Holy Name. Amen. (In Times of Transition - Joseph P. Shadle)
c) Prayer for the Search Process Almighty God, giver of every good gift: We thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the witness of your whole church in his name. We thank you for your Holy Spirit, empowering us for ministry. So guide the hearts and minds of all those who shall choose a bishop in this diocese and those who will respond to the call, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people. May our discernment transform our spirits and draw us closer to you, Almighty God. Amen. (adapted from the Diocese of Massachusetts) d) Prayer for all to pray for the Search Committee Lord Jesus Christ, through your Spirit you have guided the selection of a committee charged with listening to the many voices of candidates who will answer your call to journey with them for a time. So guide their hearts and minds that they may see the possibilities that your life among us brings for the sake of the world. Help them to hear those possibilities in the diverse hearts and minds of the candidates they will interview, that a truly faithful pastor and teacher may come to join us as Bishop Coadjutor, to continue the work you have given us to do as the Diocese of Southeast Florida. This we ask in your most Holy Name. Amen. (adapted from the Diocese of Maryland) e) For the Search Committee and the Diocese God our Wisdom and Light: you alone have power to bring blessing out of all our choices and to use all our actions for the building up of your reign; be with us as we take council for the future, turn our hearts always toward the common good, guide us in raising up and welcoming new leadership for our diocese and help us to discern the presence of Christ in our midst always, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God living and true. Amen. (adapted from prayers written by the Rev. Jennifer Phillips for the Diocese of Rhode Island)
f) Prayer for the Calling of a Bishop Coadjutor for Southeast Florida Gracious God who sets the seas in their bounds and gives life to all your creatures, who continually renews the face of the earth and is faithful to your covenant from generation to generation: Lift up and guide the people of the Diocese of Southeast Florida as we seek the next bishop to lead us; renew our strength in the baptismal ministries to which you call us; watch over and inspire the work of the committees entrusted with this task; and, by the power of your Spirit, draw your people always toward the vision of your holy reign; we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. (adapted from prayers written by the Rev. Jennifer Phillips for the Diocese of Rhode Island) g) Prayer for the Search Committee to Pray God our Wisdom: may we listen for and hear your voice among the many voices; may we choose prudently, imagine boldly, and pray continually; may we be strengthened by our companionship with one another, and by your presence along the way; and, trusting always in your goodness and mercy, seek in all things to give you honor and glory, for you are one God in Trinity of Persons and Unity of Being, to the ages of ages. Amen. (adapted from prayers written by the Rev. Jennifer Phillips for the Diocese of Rhode Island) h) Prayer for the 4 th Bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida Eternal God, shepherd and guide, in your mercy give to your Church s ministry in the Diocese of Southeast Florida a shepherd after your own heart who will walk in your ways, and with loving care watch over your people. Give us a leader of vision and a teacher of your truth. So may your kingdom be built up and your name glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (adapted from Anglican Church Australia)
i) Reflection Prayer on Mission and Transition It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, It is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God s work. Nothing we do is complete, Which is another way of saying that The Kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that should be said. No prayer fully expressed our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, Knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produced effects far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, And there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, A step along the way, An opportunity for the Lord s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, But that is the difference Between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders, Ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future that is not our own. Amen. (Archbishop Oscar Romero)