Readings for Training Work

Here are 3 separate readings which were part of my usual devotional study this week.  How appropriate and inspiring and what a joyful surprise!  I’ve had them translated and we will use them this Sunday as the cadets meet for their first worship meeting together with our regional leaders and chief secretary.

Almighty God, in every age you have called out men and women to be your faithful servants.  We believe you have now called us to join that great company who seek to follow you.  Grant unto us today and always a clear vision of your call and strength to fulfill the ministry assigned to us.  We pray in the name of Christ.  Amen

O God, you are the fountain of all truth; we ask you to protect your church from all false teaching.
     Protect the Church
          From all teaching and preaching which would destroy men's faith;
          From all that removes the foundations without putting anything in their place;
          From all that confuses the simple, the perplexes the seeker, that bewilders the                             wanderer.
     And yet at the same time protect the Church
          From the failure to face new truth;
          From devotion to words and ideas which the passing of the years has made unintelligible;
          From all intellectual fear and laziness.
     O God, send to your Church  teachers,
          Whose minds are wise with wisdom;
          Whose hearts are warm with love;
          Whose lips are eloquent with truth.
     Send to your Church teachers
          Whose desire is to build and not to destroy;
          Who are adventurous with the wise,
          and yet gentle with the simple;
          Who strenuously exercise the intellect,
          and who yet remember that the heart has reason of its own.
Give to your Church preachers and teachers who can make known the Lord Christ to others because  they know him themselves; and give to your Church hearers, who will follow truth as blind men long for light. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen
(adapted from Prayers for the Christian Year by William Barclay)

Go forth now as God's servant.  Remember God's presence often and draw strength from the knowledge that the One who calls and sends also sustains.  Amen