evangelical life, that they may be “able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit,” through Him who hath called them, and whom they preach, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Unite us together, that we may work together with true love for the Gospel. We are indeed as brethren; enable us to labour and to love as brethren. Teach us to pray for one another, and to bear “one another's burdens.” A united Clergy, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, is as “a threefold cord” that cannot be broken. Give Thy grace to all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, that they may “shine as lights in the world,” and “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things;” especially do I pray for the Bishop of this Diocese, that he may well govern the same, and for the Clergy thereof that they may edify their flocks, and for their flocks that they may be saved.
For this Church of England, for all members thereof, priests and people, in all times, through all changes and chances of times, I do pray most earnestly. O Lord, send Thy blessing upon this branch of the vine. Thy workmanship, Thine own branch, so long and wonderfully preserved, with so long a history of grace. Send Thy blessing, Father, that we may be found an acceptable people in Thy sight, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
