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PRAYER FOR OFS LEADERSHIP
Give us, O God,
leaders whose hearts are large enough
to match the breadth of our own souls
and give us souls strong enough
to follow leaders of vision and wisdom.
In seeking a leader, let us seek
more than our own enhancement —
though enhancement we hope for —
more than security for our own plans and vision
— though security we need —
more than satisfaction for our own selfish wants
— though many things we desire.

Give us the hearts to choose and follow the leader
who will work with other leaders
to bring Your will to the agenda
and help us to fulfill it.

Give us leaders who lead us to virtue
without seeking to impose
their own version of virtue on others.

Give us leaders who will provide
for the advancement of our Order
without dictating to others to achieve it.

Give us insight enough ourselves
to choose as leaders those who can tell
strength from power,
growth from greed,
leadership from dominance,
and real greatness from the trappings of grandiosity.

We trust you, Great God,
to open our hearts to learn
from those to whom you speak in different tongues and to respect the life and words of those to whom you entrusted the good of other parts of this globe.

We beg you, Great God, give us the vision as Secular Franciscans to know where holy leadership truly lies, to pursue it diligently, to ask it to respect the integrity of every person in the entire Order.

We ask these things, Great God, with minds open to your word and hearts that trust in your eternal care. Amen


The above “Prayer for OFS Leadership” was adapted and updated September 1, 2012 by: Kevin Queally, TOR and Anne Mulqueen, OFS