O gracious God, we remember before You today
Your servant and apostle James,
first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom
for the Name of Jesus Christ.
We pray that You will pour out
upon the leaders of your Church
that spirit of self-denying service
by which alone they may have
true authority among your people;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever.