Mantle

Lord, Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, the eldest son's inheritance, to rest upon him. And it was given to him. 

I ask, too, for the mantle of a prophet, 
for a generous inheritance as a writer: 
for insight like Leonard Sweet,
for the pastorly heart and mind of Eugene Peterson,
for creativity like Calvin Miller,
the energy of Josh McDowell,
sensitivity of Brennan Manning,
lyricism of Wendell Berry,
productivity of Jerry Jenkins, 
and influence of N. T. Wright.

I feel silly and arrogant praying such a prayer, but I do so on the basis of James 4:2, in full awareness of my own unworthiness and your surpassing  worth and willingness to answer prayer, in Jesus' name, amen.