a prayer for leaders

As a part of my regular devotional life, I use a prayer book that was originally composed in 1936 by John Baillie, a Scottish theologian raised in the Calvinist tradition.  These prayers (which I have been using for over five years) direct my days and thoughts, especially as I consider them in terms of my vocation as President at Concordia University Texas.  This past Tuesday's prayer especially struck me as one that leaders should regularly pray as it speaks to that which we do and those with whom we do our work. My prayer is that it will speak to the reader of this page in a special way today and well into the future.

Blessed be Thou, most gracious God, that again Thou hast brought light out of darkness and caused the morning to appear.  Blessed be Thou that Thou didst send me forth, in health and vigor, to the duties and doings of another day.  Go with me, I beseech Thee, through all the sunlit hours, and so protect me from every evil way that, when evening comes, I need not hide my head in shame.

O Thou who has graciously called me to be Thy servant, I would hold myself in readiness today for Thy least word of command.  Give me the spirit, I pray Thee, to keep myself in continual training for the punctual fulfillment of Thy most holy will.

   Let me keep the edges of my mind keen:

   Let me keep my thinking straight and true:

   Let me keep my passions in control:

   Let me keep my will active:

   Let me keep my body fit and healthy:

   Let me remember Him whose meat it was to do the will of Him that sent Him.

O Lord of the vineyard, I beg Thy blessings upon all who truly desire to serve Thee by being diligent and faithful in their several callings, bearing their due share of the world's burden, and going about their daily tasks in all simplicity and uprightness of heart.

   For all who tend flocks or till the soil:

   For all who work in factories or mines:

   For all who buy and sell in the marketplace:

   For all who labor with their brains:

   For all who labor with their pens:

   For all who tend the hearth:

                                     Dear Lord I pray.

In Thy great mercy save us all from the temptations that severally beset us, and bring us to everlasting life, by the power of Thy holy cross.  Amen.