Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

Our Father,

We are a people who are far from perfected.

We have not obtained that which we are striving after.

By your grace, may we press on, might we zealously, diligently, and faithfully pursue the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

This is why you have gripped us. You have taken hold of our lives as our benevolent Master so that we might pursue and take hold of that which lies ahead of us.

Might we forget what lies behind – might we not depend on our efforts from yesterday, might we not depend on our faithfulness from yesterday, but might we reach forward to what lies ahead, seeking to be faithful today and tomorrow.

Might we follow the examples of faithful men. Might we follow them as they follow Christ.

We thank you for the men whom you have appointed and given to us to lead us by your grace.

We thank you for your grace in their lives.

We pray that they would press on.

We ask that, by your grace, they would continue to faithfully shepherd the flock of God among them.

We ask that they would continue to exercise spiritual oversight to the body, and that they would do so eagerly, voluntarily, filled with the joy of the Lord, humbly recognizing the undeserved privilege that they have to be your under-shepherds.

Might they continue to be faithful examples to the flock.

Might they live in such a way that shows the church what it looks like to faithfully follow Christ.

Might their marriages faithfully reflect the beauty and the glory of the gospel.

Might their lives be examples of holiness, godliness, honesty, integrity, humility, self-control.

Might they fix their eyes on the reward that you have awaiting them.

Might they be motivated, not by the favor of men, not by the praise of men, not by success in the world’s eyes, but by the pleasure of their heavenly Father.

Help us as the church to submit to their leadership.

Might we see their godly example and follow in it.

Might we listen to them. Might we gladly receive their counsel from your Word. Might we gladly submit to their guidance for the church.

And Father, might all of clothe ourselves with humility toward one another.

Might the mark of our leadership be humility.

Might the mark of the flock be humility.

Might we walk humbly before you for you are opposed to the proud, but you give grace to the humble.

We need your grace to press on. We need your grace to lead and to follow.

Grant us your grace through Christ we pray, amen.