The Great Shepherd

Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Oh God of Love … we need you now. Come near and dwell among us, your sheep.

Oh God of Strength … remind us always that we have not lost our Shepherd. Dear Lord, You have always been our center of strength, You are our strength now. You will be our strength tomorrow. You have been and always will be the Great Shepherd of this flock, our church.

Oh God of Peace … gift us with Your compassion, that it may bring peace and reconciliation to the troubled. Lay the hand of peace on those who bicker. Speak your loving reassurance to us all. Encourage us to pray through our angers, frustrations, fear, and pain.

Oh God of Harmony … help us to hear Your music, that we may sing Your praises — that we may come together and sing Your songs and work in step with Your rhythms. Fill us with Your sense of timing. Help us to work when it is Your time to work and rest when it is Your time to rest.

Oh God of Wisdom … we seek for and employ our leaders to keep us from falling — to keep us from wandering far from You. They are like border collies barking at the heels of evil and curling up beside the wounded. They comfort and console us with Your love. They guide, support, and encourage us with Your strength and patience. But they do not replace you.

Oh God of Action … equip us with everything good. Equip us with Your Spirit. Envelope us, surround us, flood our souls with Your Love so that we may love one another as You love us. Through the blood of the eternal covenant, cleanse our hearts that we may come sanctified into Your Holy presence — to gather before You, around You, to seek Your will as we regroup and move forward.

Help us to pray this in our heart of hearts: Work in me, Lord. Work through me. I offer to You my skills, my gifts, my self, my entire being as a living sacrifice eager to do whatever is pleasing in Your sight …

through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.