The Prayer of the Minor Prophet

I forget where I first discovered this precious gem from A.W. Tozer. But it has become a beloved reminder of the attitude and disposition which we, as believers, ought to live with. I pray that it inspires you towards a greater humility of soul, and a greater boldness for God. 

The Prayer of the Minor Prophet

A.W. Tozer

Oh Lord, I have heard Your voice, and was afraid. You have called me to an awesome task in a grave and perilous hour. You are about to shake all nations, and the Earth, and also Heaven, that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
Oh Lord, my Lord, you have stooped to honor me to be your servant. No man takes this honor upon himself, save he that was called by God, as was Aaron. You have ordained me, Your messenger to them that are stubborn of heart and hard of hearing. They have rejected You, the Master, and it is not to be expected that they will receive me, the servant.
My God, I will not waste time deploring my weakness, nor my unfittedness for the work. The responsibility is not mine, but Thine. You have called me by name, and I have loved You much, but only because You have loved me, the God Who is love. You have said, “I knew you, I have ordained you, I sanctified you” and You have also said, “You shall go to all that I shall send you.” “Whatsoever I command you, you shall speak.”
Who am I to argue with You, or to call into question your Sovereign choice? The decision is not mine, but Yours. So be it Lord. Your will, not mine, be done. Well do i know, Oh God of the prophets and Apostles, that as long as I honor You, You will honor me. Therefore help me! Help me to take a solemn vow to honor You in all of my future life and labors, whether by gain or loss, by Life or Death, to keep that vow unbroken, while I live.
It is time, oh God, for You to work, for the enemy has entered into Your Pastures! Your sheep are torn and scattered, and false shepherds abound who deny the dangers, and laugh at the perils which surround Your flock! The sheep are deceived by these hirelings, and follow them with touching loyalty, while the Wolf closes in to kill and destroy!
I beseech You, oh Lord, give me sharp eyes to detect the presence of the enemy, and understanding with this sight, and courage to report what I see faithfully. Make my voice so like Your own, that even the sick sheep will recognize it, and follow You. Lord Jesus, I come to You for Spiritual preparation. Lay Your hand upon me. Anoint me with the oil of a New Testament Prophet.
Forbid that I should become a religious scribe, and thus lose my Prophetic calling. Save me from the curse that lays dark across the face of modern clergy; the curse of compromise, of imitation, of professionalism.
Save me from the error of judging a church by it’s size, it’s popularity, or the amount of it’s yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet, not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions, and deliver me from the fear of man, and the honor of man, and remind me that they are often cut from the same cloth.
Save me from the bondage of things. Let me not waste my days puttering around the house. Lay your terror upon me, oh God! Drive me to the place of prayer, where I might wrestle with Principalities and Powers, and the rulers of darkness of this world! Deliver me from over-eating, and late sleeping. Teach me self discipline that I might be a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
I accept hard work and small rewards in this life. I ask for no easy place. I shall try to be blind to the little ways that make this life easier. If others seek the smoother path, I shall try to take the hard way without judging them too harshly.
I shall accept opposition and try to take it quietly when it comes, or if as it sometimes falls to your servants, I shall have grateful gifts pressed upon me by Your good people, stand by me then, and save me from the blight that often follows. Teach me to use whatever I receive in such manner, that will not injure my soul, nor diminish my spiritual power.
If by permissive Providence honor should come to me from Your Church, let me not forget that in that hour, I am unworthy of the least of Your mercies, and if man knew me as intimately as I know myself, they would withhold their honors, and bestow them upon others more worthy to receive them.
I consecrate my remaining days to You, Lord of Heaven, and Lord of Earth, be they many or few, as You will. Let me stand before the great, or minister to the poor and lowly; that choice is not mine, and I would not influence it. I remember Your Holy Word to me, that You are not a respecter of persons.
I am Your servant to do Your will, and that will is sweeter to me than position, or riches, or fame, and I choose it above all things on earth or heaven. Though I am chosen by You and honored by You in a high and holy calling, let me never forget that I am but a man, with all of the natural faults and passion and pride that plague the race of men. I pray, my lord and Redeemer, save me, from myself!
Let me die, and fall into the ground as your Holy Seed that I would be raised a blessing to others with Your power; that I would go and tell of Your righteousness only, and Your Redeeming love only. Then, in Your time, when my race is over, make me to be numbered with Your saints in glory!

Also, check out my tribute to A.W. Tozer at the 50th anniversary of his death.