As I wrote in my last blog God Views, of all the metaphors or character traits God embodies, Shepherd may be God’s favorite. I know it’s mine. It speaks to so many of our needs and busts God out of our modern boxes and stereotypes we trap God in. It’s personal and relational rather than abstract and impersonal. Therefore, our prayer for this week is to answer the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Good Shepherd,
Voices call us from every corner. A cacophony of pain, arrogance, fear, and error. Their cries pierce our ears. We hear but can’t discern the truth or way or life in their words.
Give us ears for your commanding and loving voice. Make your truth ring like a clear note that vibrates to our very souls. Sing a song of hope to our lost and lonely hearts. Protect, guide, and provide for us.
Shepherd God,
We answer your call. We run to you.
Gather us into your fold, especially those who do not yet know your grace. Go after the one, broken and alone. The one friend, family member, neighbor, colleague, the stranger next to us. Save them and us, Good Shepherd. Comfort and collect your people from every corner, from every mountainside and plain. Call us to abide in you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Other resources to help you listen to and follow the Shepherd.
God Views: How We View God Shapes or Distorts How we See Life and People
A Leap of Faith: A Prayer to Start Your Week in the Right Heart
Is that You, God? How to Be Sure God Is Speaking to You
I had some sheep that I brought up by hand.. Despite that, you could call, whistle, sing lullabies,… If they wanted to ignore you, they would. The only way to work with them, to dip, shear, or treat injuries, for example, was to get them into a tight place. And yes, it seems to be the only way our Shepherd can work with us, as well 😊
Thanks, Elna, I love your language, “tight place.” I’ve been in several of those and turned to the Shepherd.I find it remarkable how much freedom our Shepherd gives us to get in tight places.
We have a beautiful song,…
“Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life”,…
Our “culture/world” seems to value independence greatly,… does this make it difficult for us to “connect” sincerely with our Good Shepherd?
Yes, I think it does. Radical individualism is not healthy for us.