Pray For Your Leaders

Oct 01, 2009 by Fr Luke Palumbis

“...we ask You, Lord: Remember all Orthodox Bishops who rightly teach the word of Your Truth, all presbyters, the diaconate in Christ, all priestly and monastic orders. ...those in public service; grant them O Lord, to serve and govern in peace, that through the faithful conduct of their duties, we may live peaceful and serene lives in all piety and holiness.  Above all, remember, O Lord, our Archbishop Gerasimos; grant that he may serve Your holy churches in peace; keep him safe, honorable, and healthy for many years…”

-From the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

The Divine Liturgy culminates the Christian journey for a person of faith, each time they participate.  Healing, sanctification, and unity are offered by God to the faithful, and the faithful is shepherded, by the prayers of the Church, in their approach to God.  As directed by the Divine Liturgy, one powerful experience of the Christian journey is the recognition of, and praying for our leaders; both our God-chosen Ecclesiastical leaders, and our secular leaders!  In the above prayer, taken from the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, we are guided by the Church’s wisdom to pray for all our clergy, and all those in public service.  The prayer commences by specifically directing the faithful to remember, above all, their own bishop—at this point, we at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church pray for Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.

Leadership is an experience of shepherding others to a destination or an experience.  Without God supporting this journey, any destination or experience that may be reached will be finite and ultimately insignificant!  The Church, and all Her clergy, strive to shepherd the faithful to the ultimate experience of God, found in the Kingdom of Heaven, where there is eternal peace and serenity.  Civic leaders, and all those in public service, are called by the Church to serve and govern in the effort to ensure an experience of worldly peace and serenity—so that those living in the world may have a respite amidst its uncertainty.  The Church calls all faithful to prayerfully support those who embark upon these leadership journeys. 

The leadership experience, when fueled by the desire to lead others to the eternal or worldly experiences of peace and serenity, is difficult.  It is under constant attack, from the evil one who opposes the destination, and even at times come under attack from those who are being lead!  Yet, faithful clergy and civic leaders perceiver with love, and the faith that, with God, all things are possible!

As people of faith, in your daily prayer rule, pray for our Metropolitan Gerasimos! ...pray for our National, State, and Local civic leaders! ...and, humbly I ask that you pray for your parish priest!  The peacefulness and serenity of the Kingdom are waiting for you!

Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison!

...with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)