Morning Prayer - In The Arms Of The Good Shepherd

My good Shepherd,

I come to you in this morning silence to listen to your voice. You are not like a hired hand, who runs away when danger comes.

You are not someone who works only for pay and does not care for me. You are the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. And I am your sheep.

Thank you for knowing me. You know my name, my fears, my joys. In a world where I am often just a number, you know me personally, intimately, just as the Father knows you.

And I want to know you, to hear your voice among all the other voices that call me away.

Too often, I feel like a part of the crowd your Word speaks of.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

But you, Lord, have promised that you will not allow us to remain alone and scattered. Your promise is an eternal guarantee of your faithfulness.

“‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” (Ezekiel 34:11)

In my days of darkness and confusion, when it seems that clouds of doubt and fear surround me, I cling to this word of yours.

“As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” (Ezekiel 34:12)

You Know Your Own, and Your Own Know You

Lord, you have not just cared for me from a distance, but you have personally sought me out. Your love is active; it is tangible.

“I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” (Ezekiel 34:16)

Thank you for finding me when I was wandering. Thank you for your healing touch on my wounds. Accept my gratitude for my return to the safety of your presence.

“For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25)

One Flock, One Shepherd

Jesus, your heart also longs for those who are not yet in your fold. You gave your life for them, too. Your heart yearns for all, for you prayed for me and for them even before we knew you.

Open my eyes and my heart to these “other sheep” of yours.

Grant me the grace to also care responsibly for your flock, for the brothers and sisters you have placed on my path.

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

And strengthen me in the hope that at the end of the journey, when you appear in glory, I will receive the promised reward.