Devotional Services for Public Worship
by
John Hunter, minister of , then a Congregational
church, in Mayfair, London. Published in 1903.
ORDINATION
OF A MINISTER
Prayer
Almighty God, the Source of goodness, the Fountain of all light and life, we humbly beseech Thee
to hear our prayer on behalf of Thy servant whose calling and ordination by
Thee to the ministry of Thy Word we this day recognize and honour.
We thank Thee for the power with which Thou hast endowed him, for the
learning Thou hast enabled him to acquire, for the wisdom his experience of
life has taught him, and for the
knowledge of Thy name and will which he
has received through communion with Thee and Jesus Christ Thy Son.
We thank Thee for the way in which Thou hast led him, and brought him to
this hour. In early years Thy good Spirit didst move and call him to this work:
he has been under Thy discipline and teaching, and in many ways both secret and
open Thou hast been training him for Thy will and work.
Almighty Father, we pray that in the days to come he may be still taught
and led by Thee. Endue him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, of
power and a sound mind. Make and keep him simple in character, pure in heart,
clear in judgment, unselfish and earnest in purpose, and lowly in personal
claim. Let the same mind be in him which was also in Christ Jesus. May he have
in his work the spirit of his Master's compassion for men; the love that
endureth all things, hopeth all things, and never faileth. Amid praise and
blame, amid success and failure, may he be faithful to his high calling,
faithful to Thee. May he never be overcome of evil. In his hours of darkness
and depression may he ever realize that Thou art his refuge and strength, and
that his sufficiency is of God. And when he is most conscious of his weakness
and want, may he find rest and hope in the thought of the heavenly grace that
triumphs over the frailties of Thy servants, and preserves unbroken the
communion of saints.
Almighty God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant unto this
our brother ever clearer and fuller knowledge of the things which belong to the
highest well - being of Thy children. That he may quicken and nourish in others
the temper of faith, we pray Thee to increase his own faith. In these days of
questioning and unrest, may the peace of God keep his heart and mind. Deep in the
fellowship of Thy Son may he live, so that his words to this people may be ever
full of reality and life. May he speak of the Eternal Love as one whose heart
has been won by its sweet constraint. May he speak of the Grace of Jesus
Christ, as one who has taken upon himself the sins and sorrows of his brethren,
and is filling up that which is behind of the Saviour's sufferings. May he
speak of the Holy Spirit as one who lives in the constant realization of His
quickening, inspiring and revealing power. May he speak of sin as one to whom
the decay of holy affection and aspiration is the only real evil. May he speak
of the life that now is as one who sees and reads its meaning in the light of
eternal laws. May he speak of the new spirit which has come unto the world
through Jesus Christ our Lord, as one who is himself completely surrendered to
the power that will draw all men to God. May he speak of the hope that is full
of immortality, as one to whom the veil between the worlds has been taken away.
We ask for him Thy might in his spirit that he may ever speak as one moved by
the Holy Ghost, and boldly as he ought to speak, not as seeking to please men,
but only Thee. May all thought of himself be lost in the thought that he is Thy
servant. And in the midst of holy offices and sacred things, may Thy Spirit
move him continually to guard and nourish the inner life. Like his Master, may
he ever seek to sanctify himself, that others may be sanctified through the
truth. And may this people feel that his ministry is a good gift from Thee. May
it strengthen them for the duties and trials of life, and lift them nearer the
light of Thy face.
Almighty God, in whose sympathy with us is our only hope, into Thy hands
we commend Thy servant. In all time of his wealth and in all time of his
tribulation be Thou his stay and the Rock of his strength. So direct and
sustain him that when his day's work is done, he may be able to look on his Master's
face without fear and without shame. Amen.
