PRAYER FOR A NEW BISHOP

God our Father, in Jesus your Son You have given to Your church the perfect model of priest, prophet, and king, and have blessed us through His sacrifice, taught us through His Word and guided us through His rule. We thank You for the previous bishops who have shepherded the people of the Diocese of Norwich. We ask you, Father, to guide and enlighten those who are now tasked with helping to choose the next bishop of our diocese. May the one chosen be a man of deep and true prayer, a man of wisdom, joy, and peace who desires above all to do Your will. We entrust our prayers to the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Saint Joseph her spouse and protector of the Church, our patrons Saint Patrick and Saint Ann, and ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.