Prayers

Prayers for the Consecration of Bishop

Neil Lebhar

Father we ask that your Holy Spirit fall upon Neil and fill him with all power and might and all the riches of Your glory, that Your radiance would emanate from him and the fragrance of Your Presence would be upon him always. Father, we desire that Neil will pursue, long for and delight in what is on Your heart and do it with a spirit of excellence. Father, cause Neil to delight in You and allow You to perfect that which concerns him. Help Neil to “choose to trust You in every situation and know that You will not fail one word of Your promise.” (Copeland, p. 42) Father, we “desire for Neil to be a leader controlled by Your wisdom, which is full of quiet gentleness. Reveal to Neil by Your Spirit how to be equitable, just, fair, moderate and forbearing in all his dealings. Cause Neil to look at situations humanely and reasonably rather than by the letter of the law. (Copeland & Holland p. 56) Father, we desire that Neil “will give and receive feedback and purpose to live truly, deal truly and speak truly…We decree that Neil’s “conversation and behavior will issue from the fountain of wisdom that comes from heaven. Through wisdom Neil will motivate others to improve their performance and take pleasure in their work…We pray that Neil will overflow more and more with love for others, while at the same time growing in spiritual knowledge and insight and that he would be able always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong and to be inwardly clean.” (Copeland & Holland p. 54)

Marriage and Family

“Father, we thank You that Neil will be able to lay aside the cares and emotional baggage of the day’s activities and submit his mind and emotions to the control of the Holy Spirit…We pray that Neil will encourage and strengthen his wife, Marcia, and she him and that they will be best friends and closest confidants.” (Copeland & Holland, p. 30) Help Neil to enjoy his children being sensitive & excited about their lives. Empower him to fulfill his role at home with his family. Lord, protect their unity and love. We declare Your Word that through skillful and godly wisdom Neil’s house is built, and by understanding it is established. And by knowledge shall its chambers be filled with all precious & pleasant riches. (Proverbs 24:3, 4; 15: 6)

The Diocese

Father, reveal to Neil & the diocese what your vision is and how to accomplish it. We ask “that all people will find favor with God & with each other. We pray that there will be love & unity throughout the diocese, with each person giving honor where honor is due. Lord, cause Neil & all in the diocese to see the hidden potential in one another & draw it out” (Copeland, p. 152) We pray that Your destiny for each person & the diocese as a whole maybe fulfilled. We thank You for the abilities,, talents, spiritual health, boldness, strength & Holy Spirit empowering that is permeating throughout the diocese & that You will maintain & sustain it. (Copeland, p. 152) Lord, we ask You to fan the flame of passion & hunger for You & for Your work until Your Kingdom is fulfilled.

The Congregation

Father, You put all things under the feet of Jesus & gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 1: 22,23). “Father, You want the church to grow up to know the whole truth & tell it in love- like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, Who is the Source of everything we do. He keeps the church in step with each other. His very breath & blood flow through the body nourishing it so that it will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. May the church be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom & spiritual understanding.” (Copeland, p.330) May the membership abound in & be filled with the fruits of righteousness,” (Copeland, p. 337) forgiving as Christ would forgive. Let their love flourish & abound more & more unto perfection. Let prayer, worship, & the Word be preeminent though all the body. Let the church stand firm united in spirit & purpose, striving side by side, boldly overcoming all barriers & opponents, being harmonious, bringing power & glory to God. We pray that You, Lord, will find great delight & pleasure in all!

Copeland, Germaine, Prayers That Avail Much: Commemorative Gift Edition.
Roswell: Harrison House, Inc., 1997.
______, & Holland, Lane. Prayers That Avail Much for Leaders: Scriptural Prayers for Effective Leadership in Business,, Ministry & Public Service. Tulsa: Harrison House, Inc., 2008.