Lord God, You have made me a pastor and teacher in Your Church.

You see how unfit I am to administer rightly this great and responsible office; and had I been without Your aid and counsel,

I would surely have ruined it all long ago.
Therefore, I invoke Your Spirit to empower me.
How gladly I desire to yield and consecrate my heart and mouth to this ministry! I desire to teach Your congregation.
I desire to learn and keep Your Word as my constant companion
and to meditate upon it earnestly.
Use me as Your instrument in Your service, only do not forsake me,
for if I am left to myself, I will certainly bring it all to destruction. Amen.

Adapted from Martin Luther