Praying with Paul: 'The Finished Race'

Dear Father, source of our strength,

Be with every disciple, especially with your preachers. May they be urgent in season and out of season. Empower them to convince, rebuke, and exhort. Help them to be unfailing in patience and persistent teaching.

Guide them all to be steady, to endure suffering, to do the work of evangelization, and to fulfil the ministries you have given them.

Let them all, and all of your people, so live that we can say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Thank you for the gracious reward you have in store for us all - that crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to every one who has loved and longed for his appearing.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.