[181 words]
Our Father, let me be a pillar of strength to them, not a thorn to sap their strength, nor a burden on their back to pull them down.
Let me support them without striving to possess them; lift up their hands without placing shackles on them.
Let me give them my help that they may devote more time to saving others and less time to gratifying my vanity.
Let me be unselfish in what I do for them, not selfish and demanding that they do more for me.
Help me remember they are ministers to the whole flock.
Help me to serve the church more, and be happy that they need to serve me less.
Help me to be as good a member as I expect them to be good elders.
Help me to appraise their work with love, for I have never walked in their shoes.
Help me, O Lord, always to be a Christian, that their labors may be easier because I am not a problem to them, and that my own soul may be drawn closer to Thee.
Author unknown
via Hinton church of Christ
Hinton, OK