Article samples by Dr. Kenneth Bailey

Articles by Dr. Kenneth Bailey from around the Web

Articles about Dr. Kenneth Bailey from around the Web

A Prayer during the Installation of a Pastor in a Congregation

Dr. Bailey offered the following prayer during a worship service to install a young colleague as pastor of a Presbyterian congregation in western Pennsylvania. FoMENTS thanks Rev. Beth Creekpaum for sharing the words of the prayer for this site in the hopes that his words and wisdom will be a blessing to others.

O holy father, that did speak to Moses through the burning bush, and to Jonah through the storm, to Samuel in the stillness of the night, and to Job out of the whirlwind speak to us today in the manor of thy choosing. And make our hearts open to hear thy voice and to obey thy call.

Oh Holy Father, as we come stumbling into thy presence in prayer, we know not how to speak or when to listen in silence to hear thy voice.
Like Isaiah, we sense our unworthiness to approach thee. Yet remembering thy love, we turn to thee as a father that hears and answers prayer. Like an ant on stick both ends of which are burning, we go to and fro without knowing what to do and in great despair, like the inescapable shadow which follows us, the dead weight of sin haunts us. Graciously look upon us and forgive us. Thy love is our hope and refuge.

O Lord we ask for strength that we might succeed. You grant us weakness that we might humbly obey. We ask for health that we might do great things. You give infirmity that we might do better things. We ask for riches that we might be happy. You give poverty that we might be wise. We ask for power that we might win the praise of others. You give us weakness that we might feel the need for God. We ask for all things that we might enjoy life. You give us life that we might enjoy all things. You often do not give us what we ask but rather grant us grace for our unseen needs. Almost despite ourselves, our prayers, too deep for words are heard and answered and we are among a people who are richly blessed, and we are grateful.

We thank you for raising up among us, faithful servants for the ministry of word and sacrament. We pray that Beth may be to us an example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that with her, we may continue to serve you in newness of life, always rejoicing in your glory. We praise you for calling this, your servant, to this ministry. Let her life reflect your call, that through her, many may come to know you more clearly and love you more dearly Guard her and us, dear Lord.

Never let us imagine that we know enough and need no teaching, or wise enough and need no correction, talent enough to need no grace, or humility enough to need to now repentance, devotion enough to need no quickening, or strength sufficient without thy spirit.

Oh Lord we know Beth's costly obedience to thy call. We have heard her witness to the faith that comes to us as a gift from the great tradition. We know of her willingness to walk the narrow way and to reject the seductive values of our culture. Bless her in this sacred moment in her pilgrimage, that she may be given an added measure of thy grace, for whatever the journey ahead may hold for her, when the night is long and she is far from home, be thou her candle in the darkness and her compass that never fails. In her days of triumph, help her to remember what she has received. In the hour of failure, when her dreams turn to ashes, remind her that after Friday comes Sunday morning, and that after the hill and the garden comes the empty tomb. Walk with her, Lord, and assure her that she will never walk alone.

Father of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off, you met us in your son and brought us home dying and living He declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gates of glory. May we who share Christ's body, live His risen life, we who drink his cup, bring life to others, we whom the spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so that we and all your children shall be free and the whole earth live to praise your name. through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.