A Prayer by Bishop John Fisher

Lord, according to Your promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men and women fit for such work.

The Apostles were soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Spirit. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Your Church militant:

• Change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones.

• Set in Your Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors –watching poverty, thirst, hunger, coat and heat – which also shall not fear the threats of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Your holy Name.

By this manner, good Lord, the truth of Your Gospel shall be preached throughout the world. Therefore, merciful Lord, exercise Your mercy, show it indeed upon Your Church.

Amen.