Pastoral Prayer: Loving Shepherd

Here’s a pastoral prayer for Good Shepherd Sunday, or any other time when passages like Psalm 23 and John 10 are being used. It was written by Rev. Karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Pastoral Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 23, John 10)

Loving Shepherd,

You lead and guide,

You walk alongside,

You prepare, you feed, you call,

all of your sheep,

even those of us who are lost,

those of us who stray constantly,

those of us who stay close to your comforting staff.

We are grateful for the lush green pastures of our lives,

and we pause now to offer our thanksgivings

for the goodnesses in our lives…

There are so many who walk in the shadows

of fear and suffering and despair,

and we pause now, to offer our prayers

for the broken and bleeding places in this world…

We also offer our prayers for the sheep of our own flocks,

in our families and friends,

in this our church and our community…(pause)

O Loving Shepherd,

We have all we need,

as we live in You.

Amen.

~ written by Rev Karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/

Call to Worship: Psalm 23

Here’s a call to worship litany inspired by Psalm 23. It was written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 23)

In the darkest valley,
at the banquet table;
in the hard work of life,
at the moments of ease;
in our day-to-day reality,
at times set aside–
like this time, now–
for worship, for listening, for paying attention;
with every step we take:
goodness and mercy follow us;
our cups overflow.

~ written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com/

Prayer Reflection: Through Light and Shadow

Here’s a thoughtful prayer reflection from Sally’s Eternal Echoes website.

Through Light and Shadow

through light and shadow

I am led, I follow,

through the ins and outs

the ups and downs 

of these days,

when my heart is failing,

when my spirit rejoices,

when I can barely put one foot 

in front of the other

still you beckon me on...

when I stumble you support me,

when I can go no further 

you carry me,

through light and shadow,

in death's dark vale,

and on the mountain peaks

you lead me,

through tangled webs,

on rocky ground,

on smoother paths,

through light and shadow

you lead me,

I follow,

may I never

walk alone...

~ written by Sally, and posted on Eternal Echoes. http://sallysjourney.typepad.com/sallys_journey/

Opening Prayer: Psalm 23

Here’s an opening prayer for Good Shepherd Sunday, or any other occasion on which God is being portrayed as a Shepherd.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 23, John 10)

Loving Shepherd,
you know our names;
you care for us.
When we face darkness and death,
walk beside us.
When we hunger for your love,
fill us with your presence.
When we are fearful,
feed us at your table.
May we dwell in the house of goodness and mercy
all the days of our lives. Amen.

~ written by Mary Petrina Boyd, and posted on Ministry Matters. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Prayer: Our Shepherding God

Here’s a prayer from Rev. Abi, written for “Good Shepherd” Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Easter), or any other time when Psalm 23, John 10 or other shepherding passages are being explored.

Our Shepherding God

O Lord, our Shepherding God,
come close to us now
Come near us in our time of need.

Shepherding God,
we need you in our time of anxiety.
We need you in our time of economic uncertainty.
We need you in a time of a globe-trotting disease.
We need you to bind our wounds,

    and pour your healing ointment on our heads .
We need the briars, and brambles, and burrs

    pulled out of our fleece and skin.

Shepherding God.
you guide us with your voice,
Help us to listen and follow no matter where your voice leads.
Help us to trust you.

Shepherding God,
protect us from the hired hands

that do not really care for us

and have neglected or abused us in the past.

Shepherding God,
thank you for your son

who lay down his life for those who follow him

and for those who are not in the fold yet..

Lord we pray for those who don’t know the shepherd,

whose life circumstances kept them from knowing the good shepherd.

We pray that by our actions, our behavior,

and our reaching out into the community,

they may come to know you.

Shepherding God,
renew us, guide us with your love

and renew us with your peace. Amen

~ written by Rev. Abi and posted on her Long and Winding Road blog. http://vicarofwadley.blogspot.ca/

Prayer for Vulnerable People

Here’s a prayer of intercession and commitment which focuses on the vulnerable people around the globe and in our communities. It comes from the Presbyterian Church in Canada website.

Prayer for Others

Compassionate God,

we pray for vulnerable people all over this world,

people without power

who live in places of terror and violence, fear and oppression.

Protect them, God;

we feel so powerless ourselves to help them. 

Encourage and empower us to work

for peace and freedom from fear in our own contexts.

God of grace,

we pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down

by various disasters: floods, fire and drought-driven famine. 

Bring courage and hope to them;

through their pain, may they remain connected to you in prayer. 

We pray for those say there is no God;

may we through the living of our own lives

demonstrate the joy and peace of a Spirit-centred existence. 

God of community,

we pray for our own congregation;

may we be a source of hope for our neighbourhood. 

Help us to discern needs and work to fulfill them. 

Strengthen and unify our congregation

and show us how we can be the disciples you envision us to be. 

Return the sick to health and well-being

and relieve the suffering of those who have lost loved ones,

are unable to find meaningful employment

and fear the challenges of old age. 

Guide us, Great Shepherd,

into your paths of right relationships. 

In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.

~ posted on the Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/worship/

Prayer: Lord, we would follow you

Here’s a prayer of confession and commitment from John Birch’s Faith and Worship website.

Prayer

Lord, we would follow you
wherever you might lead.
Lord, we would follow you.
Forgive us when we stumble
and when we stray.
Forgive us when, distracted
we lose our way.
Be the one to whom we turn,
whose hand we hold,
the Shepherd who leads us
safely to the fold.
Lord, we would follow you
wherever you might lead.
Lord, we would follow you.

~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com/

Call to Worship: God's Ways

Here’s a responsive call to worship from Tim Graves’s LiturgyBits blog. (See link below.)

Call to Worship

Out of a world of cut-throat competition,

of winners-and-losers,

and too many left behind

we come together.
The world’s ways are not our ways.
The world’s ways are not Christ’s ways.

Out of a world of hatred, violence,

individualism, and life-taking power

we gather as Koinonia, as God’s people.
God’s ways are inclusive, expansive,

and life-giving for all peoples.

Come and worship the One whose love knows no limits! 

Swim and splash in the cleansing waters of divine community!

Resurrect your spirits and souls in worship of the One!
Praise be to the Everlasting One!

~ written by Tim Graves, and posted on LiturgyBits. https://liturgybits.wordpress.com

Prayer of Blessing: St. Columba

Here’s a short prayer from St. Columba (c. 521-597).

Prayer

My dearest Lord.

Be Thou a bright flame before me.

Be Thou a guiding star above me.

Be Thou a smooth path beneath me.

Be Thou a kindly shepherd behind me.

Today and evermore.

~ excerpted from a longer prayer by St. Columba. 

Opening Prayer: Shepherd and King

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation from the My Redeemer Lives website.

Opening Prayer

Gentle...yet powerful.

Lowly...yet almighty.

Shepherd...yet King.

In Your gentleness,

   guide us.

In Your power,

   strengthen us.

In Your lowliness,

   strip from us our selfish pride

   which only destroys us.

In Your greatness,

   lift us up that we might aspire to greater things.

As a shepherd,

   call us to be Your servants.

As a King,

   call us to be Your royal priesthood.

O God,

   who is our shepherd and our King;

O Christ,

   who was crucified and is now risen from the dead;

O Spirit,

   who comforts and empowers;

O great One in Three, Holy Trinity,  

this hour, set us free to worship. Amen. 

~ posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html

Call to Worship: The Lord is My Shepherd

Here’s a call to worship from Roddy Hamilton.  It is inspired by Psalm 23.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 23)

(Pour water into font with each stanza and let it overflow)

The Lord is my Shepherd
I shall not want

I seek the grace of God
and my cup runneth over

I seek the will of God
and my cup runneth over

I seek the strength of God
and my cup runneth over

How generous is God's love
so much the world cannot contain it

The Lord is my Shepherd
and I lack nothing

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

Call to Worship: I Am the Good Shepherd

Here’s a call to worship litany on the theme of the Good Shepherd.  It comes from the New Kilpatrick Parish Church website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 23, John 10)

I AM the good shepherd
(the one who tends us,
guides us into pastures,
who recognises the sounds of our names).

I AM the good shepherd
(the one who bends to heal us
travels through the deepest valleys with us
who give up everything for us all).

I AM the good shepherd
(the one whose rod and staff comfort us
whose strength and love holds us
whose cup of love runneth over).

I AM the good shepherd
and we will dwell
in the house of the Lord
forever

Let us gather here
God’s People
in God’s love
for God’s world 

~ posted on the New Kilpatrick Parish Church website. https://www.nkchurch.org.uk/

Call to Worship: Good Shepherd

Here is a responsive call to worship inspired by the 23^rd Psalm. It was posted on the Literature & Liturgy website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 23)

Our Lord is the Good Shepherd.

In his goodness he supplies our every need.
The Lord is our Shepherd,

and he takes perfect care of us.

Our Lord is the Good Shepherd.
He leads us into safety

and gives us strength for the journey.
The Lord is our Shepherd,

who grants us rest and restores our souls.

Our Lord is the Good Shepherd.
He sought us out when we were lost,

calling us by our names.
The Lord is our Shepherd,

and he has carried us home.  Amen.

~ posted on Literature & Liturgy. https://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/

Intercessions: Good Shepherd Sunday

Here is a prayer of intercession for Good Shepherd Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Easter), or any other Sunday on which John 10 and/or Psalm 23 is a focus. It was posted on the Life in Liturgy website.

Prayer for Others

for Good Shepherd Sunday

O God, our loving Shepherd,

you come to us with the strength and love of a father,

and the tender mercies, patience and protection of a loving mother.

We see you in the very living of our days,

and yet we so often fail to praise you or to offer our burdens to you.

Hear us, Lord,

as we lift to you our prayers for others and for ourselves.

We pray for those in need–those who hunger or are homeless.

We pray for those in pain—the abused, brokenhearted and lonely.

We pray for the sick in body and in mind, and for those who grieve.

For the life of this community and all those who put their trust in you

for all their todays and all their tomorrows,

we pray that your lovingkindness to the world would be offered

through our hands, our words, our deeds, our hearts.

Free us, Lord, as your own people,

to sing your praise in the work of our everyday lives.

In those comings and goings of our simple and complicated living,

make us instruments of your peace and grace

in weary days with weary people.

Bless our memories, O God,

that in our remembering we may partake

of the mystery that is eternal life in its fullness.

For we pray in the presence of your risen Christ,

our Lord and Savior. Amen.  

~ posted on Life in Liturgy, from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). https://lifeinliturgy.wordpress.com/

Prayer: A Vision of Abundant Life

Here’s a prayer of petition and commitment from the Christian Aid website.

Prayer

'I came that they may have life,

and have it abundantly.' John 10:10

Merciful God, 
who is more than we can ever imagine, 
give us a wider vision of the world; 
give us a broader view of justice; 
give us dreams of peace 
that are not defined by boundaries of geography

or race or religion, 
or by the limitations of worldly structures and systems. 

Open our eyes and our ears
that wherever we go, 
we may hear your voice calling us by name; 
calling us to serve, 
calling us to share, 
calling us to praise, 
so that we never give up on the promise of your kingdom, 
where the world is transformed, 
and all can enjoy life in all its fullness. 
Amen.

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Contemporary Call to Worship: Easter 4

Here’s a contemporary call to worship written by Thom Shuman for the fourth Sunday after Easter.

Call to Worship

(Psalm 23, 1 John 3:16-24)

Day by day, God leads us:
to the deep, deep pools of peace,
to the green, lush lawns of grace.
Day by day, Jesus calls us:
to pour out ourselves in service,
to anoint the stranger with hope.
Day by day, the Holy Spirit shows us:
the community we could be,
the family we are called to become.

— written by Thom Shuman on Lectionary Liturgies.  

Call to Worship: The God of Many Names

Here’s a call to worship for the season of Easter. It was written by Roddy Hamilton.

Call to Worship

When God tripped over the stars this week

and send great lightning sparks across the night

God’s name was Power

When God stood in the morning dew a few weeks back

and whispered Mary’s name fresh from the tomb

God’s name was Life

When God held out hands to Thomas

and hold him to hold on and follow

God’s name was Shepherd

When God pours water this morning

and asks us to find heaven in every drop

God’s name is Grace

When God shook us awake today

and hollowed out an unused moment in front of us to step into

God’s name is Creator

When God found us waiting here

in the space between heaven and earth, now and not yet

God’s name is Love

Friends, let us worship

the God of many names

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

Call to Worship: Easter 4

Here’s a call to worship for the fourth Sunday of Easter.  It was written by Rev. MaryAnn Rennie, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by John 10 and Psalm 23)

Awaken from your slumber,

and bring your fears and anxieties

into the presence of the Lord our God.

Hear the call of our Shepherd,

and allow His voice

to lead from selfish ambition

to the feast of grace.

May the light of Christ

shine into the hidden darkness of our lives

and restore us

for the service of the Lord.

Come let us worship God.

~ written by Rev MaryAnn Rennie, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Offering: The Shepherd's Care

Here’s an invitation and prayer for the offering inspired by Psalm 23 and 1 John 3.  It was written by Mary Petrina Boyd, and posted on Ministry Matters.

Invitation to the Offering

(inspired by Psalm 23, 1 John 3)

The Shepherd cares for us,

providing all that we need in abundance.

The Shepherd calls us to love one another

in truth and action.

May our gifts reflect our trust in the Shepherd’s care.

May our offerings show our willingness to love one another.

Offering Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 23, 1 John 3)

God of love,
you abide with us;
you provide for all our needs
and guide us in your ways.
Out of gratitude for your care,
we bring our gifts before you.
Use them for your work of caring,
that all may feast at the table of abundance,
walk without fear,
and drink deeply
from the cup of compassion. Amen.

~ written by Mary Petrina Boyd, and posted on Ministry Matters. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Acts Litany

Here’s a responsive litany inspired by Acts 2:42-47. It was written by John Leach, and posted on The Jubilate Group website.

Invitation to Worship

(inspired by Acts 2:42-47)

We are God’s church:

We come together to worship.

He has given us his Word:

We come together to learn from him.

He has filled us with his power:

We go out to bring others to him.

He has called us into his family:

We come together to share our lives.

He has put his words on our lips:

We go out to tell the world about him.

He has given us his Spirit:

We come together to celebrate.

He has showered us with his riches:

We go out to share his goodness with others.

He has freed us from our past:

We come together to move forwards.

He has planned for us a glorious future:

We go out to live our lives to please him.

We are God’s church:

We come together to worship.

~ copyright © John Leach/The Jubilate Group.  Posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/liturgy/liturgy/acts_invitation_to_worship