Thank you Lord for the parish ministry you have called me to; for the souls whose cure is my duty, calling and life.
Bless those whose encouragement blesses me, who recognise my weaknesses and limitations and without putting me on a pedestal, see my frailties and gently bear me up.
Bless those who work beside me, who share the yoke of ministry; who assure me that this work is that of the body of Christ, not just my weak, all-too-human self.
Bless those who stay too long or too often, who are self-obsessed, who have little in the way of self-awareness, or who seek to monopolise my time: for their reminder to me that my time is no more valuable than theirs in your sight.
Bless those whose bitterness, hatred or self-righteousness lead them to attack me (or you); may Jesus walk beside me as I walk beside them, and help me be as wise and gracious as him.
Bless those who mourn, for the privilege of becoming part of their story as I help them say their farewells at a funeral or burial; I am but dust and ashes, yet as precious in your sight as they and those they grieve.
Bless those who steal from the foodbank collection, for the story which lies behind this affront to the charity of others; yet give me wisdom to marry love with justice in my response.
Bless those who see through me when I am out of my depth and are kind. Lovingly kick me up the backside, Lord, to get on with it and trust in you. In your strength, not my own, help me swim with good grace.
Bless those for whom I am a seeming irrelevance, who could not care less who their vicar is. Remind me that a vicar is one who acts ‘on behalf of’ – vicariously. May I ever be mindful that I act and am visible in my community on behalf of Jesus, my Saviour and the healer of the souls committed to my cure, and of my soul also.
Amen.
Vicar of Villages 