Commontide
The Ordination of a Deacon — the Prayer of Ordination
O God, most merciful Father, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to take upon himself the form of a servant. He humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death on a Cross. Yet you have highly exalted him, and made him Lord of all. For this great mystery, and for these your servants whom you now call to obedience after his example, we offer you our most hearty thanks; and we ask that we may daily increase in humility and service, that by their ministry as well as by those with whom they serve, your holy Name may for ever be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.
A collect said just before deacons receive the laying-on of hands, echoing Philippians' hymn of Christ's self-emptying and exaltation as the pattern for servant ministry.