December 26, 2020 Prayer - Shepherds

 Shepherding God,

We thank you and praise you for the ways in which you reach out to the marginalized and outcasts in our world.  We are reminded that you announced the birth of the Son to the marginalized shepherds 2000+ years ago and you continue, by your Spirit and by individuals in your Church, to reach out to the hurting, lost, broken, and marginalized of today.  Help us to have spiritual eyes and ears awakened to those you want us to minister to, in Jesus's name.  Thank you for inviting each of us - no matter what our status or sin - to hear your call of love and be your children.  When we consider your beautiful Creation - all you have placed in motion - we are astounded that you could care for us and be mindful of us.  Thank you for guarding us from the thief of our souls who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  Thank you for being our Good Shepherd who has laid down his life for us, whom you love.   In the Good Shepherd's name we pray, Amen. 

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."  (Ephesians 2:13)

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior." (Colossians 1:21)

"Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:7-11)

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." (Psalm 95:6-7)

"When I consider your heavens,

    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?" (Psalm 8:3-4)