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/

Call to Worship: Isaiah 43: 2

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 43:2. It was written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution blog.

Call to Worship

(Inspired by Isaiah 43:2)

When we pass through the waters,

God is there with us.

When we suffer and feel hopeless,

God is there with us.

When we are joyful and celebratory,

God is there with us.

Whether we feel triumphant or defeated,

God is there with us, always.

Come, let us worship together with Emmanuel,

God with us. 

~ written by Rev. Mindi, and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/2011/10/23/worship-resources-for-october-30-2011-and-all-saints-day/

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/

Call to Worship: Matthew 22: 1-14

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Matthew 22: 1-14.  It was written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, pastor of the First Church Congregational in Rochester, New Hampshire.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 22: 1-14)

In the midst of fear and anger;

in the midst of mayhem and destruction, God calls us.

With everything else going on, who has time for a feast? 

We're busy, we'll get around to eating eventually.

In the midst of our anxiety, our worry;

in the midst of bill-paying and appointments, God invites us.

We are tempted to just grab a bite,

a sandwich between errands,

a snack we can eat while driving, or checking email,

or working on today's big project.

The feast is spread!

All are invited, all are welcome!

We are invited.  We are welcome.  We are worthy. 

How will we respond?

~ written by Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational, Rochester, NH.  She blogs at http://sermonizing.wordpress.com/

Prayer for Others: Proper 23A

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 23A. Feel free to revise this prayer to suit your needs.

Prayer of Intercession

(based on Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106, 
Philippians 4:1-9 and Matthew 22:1-14)

God, we come into Your presence

   with praise and thanksgiving for Your faithful love.

Your love never fails—not even we turn away from You:

   when we ignore Your invitation,

   or desert You for gods of our own making.

Even then You do not abandon us,

   but reach out—again and again—

   inviting us back into relationship once more.

As You welcome us, so You welcome our prayers.

We bring them to You with confidence,

   knowing that You will hear and answer.

We pray for the world You created, and the people who share it with us:

   - for countries caught up in war or violent conflict,

    - for regions of the world struggling with increased cases of COVID-19,

   - for those whose homes and lives are threatened by natural disaster;

For these and all the other areas in our world

   where there is need and despair,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our country and for its people:

   - for our government leaders, federal and local,

   - for our judicial system, police forces and military,

   - for our cities, towns, and rural communities,

   - for employers and employees, for young and old,

For all who are part of this great country,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our local community—the people of this city/town,

   - for those who are unemployed,

   - for those in prison,

   - for those who are hungry,

   - for those who are alone and afraid,

For all our neighbours, both known and unknown to us,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for this congregation—our brothers and sisters in Christ,

   - for those who are ill. or whose loved ones are ill,

   - for those who are anxious about the future,

   - for those struggling with their faith,

   - for those who minister among us,

For all Your people in this place,

Lord, hear our prayer.

Pour out Your Spirit on us!

Fix our hearts and minds on what is true and honourable and right.

Give us the joy and peace that comes from knowing and doing Your will.

Keep us faithful to the call we have received in Christ Jesus, our Lord,

   extending Your loving invitation to the world around us.

In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

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/

Call to Worship: Isaiah 25: 6-9

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Isaiah 25:6-9. It was written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Isaiah 25:6-9)

Hurricanes and floods and environmental havoc;
drones and IEDs and handguns;
cancer and heart disease and ebola;
poverty and injustice and oppression.
The ways of death in this world are many.
The words of death surround us.
The fear of death envelopes us.
But we come now to hear a different Word,
a true Word
a life-giving Word.
We are here on Isaiah’s mountain
where tears are wiped away,
where a banquet table has been set,
where death has been swallowed up forever.
We do not fully understand it.
We may not fully believe it.
And yet here it is:
the power of Christ’s life within us and among us.
So let us be glad and rejoice in our salvation! 

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

Confession: Like a Shepherd

Here is a prayer of confession inspired by passages like Psalm 23, John 10:11-18 and Psalm 100. It was written by Rev Dan Carmichael, Minister of Lenzie Union. It was posted on The Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Psalm 23, Psalm 100 and John 10:11-18)

Lord, like a shepherd,

You never stop searching for Your people,
Your care for us anticipates our need.
Before we recognized we needed Your grace,
in love, Jesus gave His life for our forgiveness.

We confess that we need Your forgiveness,

we confess our sins:
You are the shepherd  and we are Your flock,

but we admit the times we have tried to take Your place  

and take control ourselves.
We admit that we have not always trusted

Your good news to be good for us.

At times we have pleaded with You to care for us,
but we have held back from caring for others

and ignored the needs of others.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Forgive us in the name of Jesus.
Loving shepherd, 

teach us by the Holy Spirit to follow You

in the days and places of the weeks ahead.
Through Jesus Christ we pray, Amen. 

~ written by Rev Dan Carmichael, Minister of Lenzie Union. It was posted on The Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Call to Worship: Isaiah 25: 6-9

Here’s a call to worship litany inspired by Isaiah 25: 6-9.  It was written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith.

Call to Worship Litany

(inspired by Isaiah 25: 6-9)

Hurricanes and floods and environmental havoc;
drones and IEDs and handguns;
cancer and heart disease and bodies shutting down;
poverty and injustice and oppression.
The ways of death in this world are many.
The words of death surround us.
The fear of death envelopes us.
But we come now to hear a different Word,
a true Word
a life-giving Word.
We are here on Isaiah’s mountain
where tears are wiped away,
where a banquet table has been set,
where death has been swallowed up forever.
We do not fully understand it.
We may not fully believe it.
And yet here it is:
the power of Christ’s life within us and among us.
So let us be glad and rejoice in our salvation!

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on her Spacious Faith blog. http://spaciousfaith.com/

Prayer of Confession: Matthew 22: 1-10

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Matthew 22:1-10. It was written by John Vest and posted on his website (see below for link).

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Matthew 22:1-10)

God of grace, you invite us to a banquet, and we don’t even respond.
You set us a place at the table, but we find excuses not to come.
You lovingly prepare for our arrival, yet we ignore your efforts.
Forgive us, God.

God of creation, you give us a world capable of abundance,
but we act as if it is a world of scarcity.
You give us the resources and the intelligence to provide for all,
yet we lack the will and the vision to feed all of your children.
Forgive us, God, for filling our plates while others go hungry.

God of love, you call us to be the body of Christ in the world,
but we horde the blessings of communion for ourselves.
Instead of loving our neighbors, we are consumed by the love of self.
Instead of loving you, we bow before idols of our own making.
Forgive us, God.

God of hope, we avert our eyes when we see hunger and need;
we close our ears to the cries of the poor and the oppressed;
we refuse to let our minds be opened to the realities of our world;
we refuse to let our hearts overflow with love and compassion.
Forgive us, God.

God of mercy, as you once again call us to your table, help us to respond in faith.
Forgive our failures and help us to learn from them.
Change our hearts and minds as we hear your good news proclaimed.
Help us to taste and see the goodness you have prepared for us,
and for the world. Amen.

~ written by John W. Vest, and posted on John Vest. http://johnvest.com/

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: 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/

Psalm 23 Prayer: Urban Shepherd

Here’s a contemporary re-working of Psalm 23 from Mike Riddell. It was posted on Jonny Baker’s Worship Tricks blog.

Prayer: Urban Shepherd

(based on Psalm 23)

urban shepherd
you lead us through skyscraper canyons
past carbon monoxide
and mirror glass
and busker
you make us to lie down on park benches
and rest beside sewage settlement ponds
you keep our feet on pavement and escalator and lift shaft
and guide us through the back alleys
of our city

though we enter the concrete crevasse
we will not fear the chaos
for you are with us
you grant us a site in the sun
at a sidewalk cafe
where we drink cappuccino and are glad
you give us doughnut stalls
and film festivals and neon signs

surely your goodness and poverty
will follow us all the days of our lives
and we will come at last to the holy city

~ written by Mike Riddell, and posted on Jonny Baker Worship Tricks. http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/2004/10/fractals_.html

Psalm 23 Prayer

Here’s a beautiful setting of Psalm 23 by Sonya Dyer.  It was posted on the Seekers Church website.

 

Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 23)

 

Holy God,
you are our shepherd,
we shall want for nothing that truly matters.

In green pastures you give us rest
and beside deep, still waters you lead us.
You promise to be with us always,
offering freedom from the frictions of hatred, anxiety, fear and pain.

You give us living water to satisfy our thirst for peace.

We praise you and wonder
if this is for all people.

You refresh and restore our souls
and guide us in right paths
for the sake of your name.

When we are cast down
we have been shown ways to bring a new creation
to life in our world.
Your unique plan for all of life and for each life
is written into our very essence.
May we believe it is a plan
filled with hope,
grown out of love.

Help our unbelief.

Even though we walk in the dark valley,
we will fear no danger
for you, God, are at our side,
with rod and staff to give us courage.
Each life, every nation, has its share of valleys.
Some seem to have more than is right.
You are a constant companion in the darkness.
When violence, pain and loss are heavy
you comfort.
When we are aching, lost and discouraged,
you seek us out.
When we go astray,
your compassionate judgment draws us back.

Receive our gratitude. Know our darkness.

You spread the table before us in the sight of our enemies
and richly bathe our heads with oil.
Our cups overflow.
O holy one,  
you are our host as well as our shepherd.
You invite us to the banquet,
the banquet of life.
All parts of the world are invited -
enemies and friends,
the alienated and powerful,
those close at hand and those far off.
You offer the abundance and lavishness
of bread broken and shared
and the cup of refreshment that leads to new life.

We praise and thank you for your abundant spirit.

Goodness and love unfailing,
these will follow us all the days of our lives,
and we shall dwell in the home of our God
for all eternity.

~ from Sonya Dyer’s Prayerbook, posted on the Seekers Church website. http://www.seekerschurch.org/

Blessing: Psalm 23

Here’s a blessing based on Psalm 23 from Roddy Hamilton.  It was posted on Mucky Paws.

Psalm 23 Blessing

In the lush pastures of life that hold meeting places with love,
may your feet know the way to find them.

By the still waters of the running stream,
may your hands shape a cup it and drink deep from it.

In the valley of death’s shadow that ever threatens,
may your sense of life find the way through.

At the banqueting table set before your enemies,
may your cup be full and overrunning.

Like the anointing oil that runs down your head,
may the blessing that is you spill into the world with eternal promise.

In the way a shepherd’s staff warms off lameness from fear,
may trust be your protective companion on the way.

Through each day’s living as it unfolds,
may goodness and mercy make their way into every moment.

At the doorway to the house of the Lord of life,
may you recognise your home and your hearth.

And in the song that makes a dwelling-place in your heart,
may its music rise in your soul.

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

Psalm 23: Prayer of Dedication

Here’s a prayer of commitment and dedication inspired by the 23^rd Psalm.  It was written by Katherine Hawker.

Prayer of Dedication

(inspired by Psalm 23)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;

We believe in the goodness of God.

We believe God hears and responds to our needs.

We believe God responds to all children everywhere.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters,

he restores my soul.

We are grateful that we've been blessed with enough water.

But we know that many do not have enough.

Not enough water, not enough food, not enough peace.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Too many children do not see God's righteousness.

Too many children watch violence, taste hunger, feel fear.

Too many children cry from the unspeakable horror of war.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

To become involved is risky. Pain is often contagious.

Our hearts may be broken and our lives may be threatened.

Yet we hear God calling

and we can no longer hide.

Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies;

thou annointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Our steps may be small and timid.

We may read a book, write a letter, or make a gift.

But each tiny step is blessed by God and multiplies.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; 

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

God is more relentless than war.

God is more pervasive than hatred.

God is more insistent than despair.

Amen. Amen.

~ written by Katherine Hawker in 1994, and posted on Liturgies Outside website. http://www.liturgyoutside.net/Biblical.Psalms.pdf

Psalm 23: The Soul Shepherding Psalm

Here’s a paraphrase of Psalm 23 from Bill and Kristi Gaultiere.

The Soul Shepherding Psalm:

Psalm 23

The Lord Jesus is my Soul Shepherd

who meets all my needs and makes me smile

He gets me to stop working and to relax

with him in his Father’s loving arms

He takes me into a quiet place

to be still and know that he is God and I am loved

He heals and rejuvenates my whole being

with his grace from the inside out

He holds my hand at the crossroads

and walks me onto the path of life

Even though I go through dark and difficult times

I don’t fear anything bad because you are with me

You discipline me in love and converse patiently with me

to bring out the best in me

You prepare a celebration to bless and honor me

right in front of my enemies

You anoint me with your Spirit to minister to others

out of the overflow of your love to me

I can count on your generous favor and tender mercy

coming to me wherever I go

I will live in the presence of Christ as his beloved

in all things and at all times

~ written by Bill Gaultiere and Kristi Gaultiere.  Posted on Soul Shepherding. http://www.soulshepherding.org

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 23

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 23 (the suggested psalm for Easter 4, Lent 4 A, Proper 23 A, Proper 11 B), you can find a list at my Contemporary Psalms blog. http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/  The blog is not finished (and likely never will be, since I keep coming across new songs!), but it’s a start.

Follow this link to Psalm 23: http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-23.html