Shepherd Prayer

by Nancy Bowes

God, our Shepherd,

We are a flock in need of your care. As we face difficult and contentious decisions, help us remember the ties that bind us together, the 215 years of history that we share, and help us see our differences in the light of the many characteristics and desires and beliefs that we share. Help us to hold up our commonalities so that we will treat each other as brother and sister, not as “us” and “them”.

We are part of a city that is facing many challenges. We need your help to guide us through these decision-making processes – to find a new way of living together that is respectful of Your ways and Your Earth.

We pray for the lonely, the sick and the bereaved. Hear our prayers as we remember in silence family and friends who need your gentle guiding hand.

Please guide and protect our congregation. We are a busy lot, Lord, traveling up and down the province, across the country, around the world. We pray for our busy families and friends who travel frequently. Help us to find the time for rest and to move through the world under your care.

Finally, Lord, thank you for keeping the promise of spring. Thank you for the daffodils and forsythia already blooming and the magnolias and other trees bursting forth. Thank you for the longer evenings, and the brighter mornings. Help us to spread our springtime joy throughout the world.

In the name of your Son, Jesus,

Amen.