Towards the end of my Deacon year I got the idea to compose a prayer for the Diocesan Bishop (at that time Bishop Anthony G. Bosco). So one Wednesday - the day that the Blessed Sacrament is exposed at St. Barbara parish, a legacy I am proud to have left to that community - I dedicated my time before Our Eucharistic Lord to that end. The prayer that follows resulted then, I trust, not from my own efforts, but rather from the inspiration of the Paraclete. I subsequently used the prayer on my Ordination Holy Card and I pray it multiple times daily, usually in conjunction with the various hours of the Divine Office. Please feel free to appropriate it to your own use. ALL Bishops (and indeed all involved in shepherding God's Holy People in any way) NEED the constant prayerful support of the faithful!
ABBA, Loving Father!
Pour forth the Fire of your Holy Spirit,
in all its fullness,
upon N. our Bishop and upon all those
who share with him the responsibility of
shepherding the Church of (name of Diocese).
May their lives be completely consumed
in the blazing inferno of Divine Love.
Enflame their hearts with apostolic zeal;
grant them the strength and courage
to work tirelessly for the conversion of
a church grown complacent.
Once the Shepherds have been set ablaze,
we beg you Father -
DO NOT LET THE FIRE BE CONTAINED!
May the flames of the Spirit spread unchecked -
a wildfire consuming all people in this local church.
We make this prayer in the all-powerful name
of your Son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ,
confident that you will hear
and answer our request,
for those who hunger and thirst for holiness
will be satisfied, good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and flowing over.
AMEN