My Psalm 72

Endow this pastor with your wisdom, O God,
your servant and son with your guidance.

Help me lead your people in righteousness,
and comfort your suffering children with compassion.

Bring prosperity to your people,
let their lives reflect your nature
as surely as the earth and sky around them.

Defend the afflicted among your people
and save the poor and needy;
crush the oppressor.

Grant that I may live and serve you as long as I am useful,
and then anoint my successor.
Let your hand be upon us like rain falling on a field of fresh-mown hay,
like showers refreshing the soil.
Make the righteous flourish, O Lord;
send prosperity to your people that lasts until the moon disappears.
Exert your rule from end to end in our community,
and show yourself strong throughout the “metroplex!”

Let your foes fall down before you;
press your Enemy’s face into the dust.
Let the powers of this earth,
the mighty, moneyed kings of academia,
bring you tribute and present you gifts.
Let the best and brightest bow down to you,
and all nations and tongues serve you,
because you rescue the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no help.
You take pity on the weak and the poor
and save the destitute.
You rescue them from oppression and violence,
for you watch over them with care and concern.

Lord, strengthen this pastor,
your servant and son.
May your people be faithful in praying for me,
and bless me and my coworkers with their prayerful support.
Protect, preserve, and prosper
your church;
cause it to flourish like Lebanon;
cause it to thrive like the Shephelah.

May our efforts for you endure forever;
may they continue as long as the sun.
May all nations be blessed through us,
and may the names of your saints live on.

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
for you alone do marvelous deeds.
Praise be to your glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with your glory.
Amen and Amen.