Prayer: Grant almighty God that your redeemed people would be thankful for the constant care of your sheep. We praise you for your love and guidance as we move through our lives each day. As we do, we are conscious of the fact that danger lurks about on every side. We face the trials of a fallen world. We meet the efforts of the evil one to destroy us. We face the slander and gossip of other people who seek to ruin reputations and lives. We face the onslaught of our own tendency to wander and depart from you. These things remind us that we need a shepherd — and not just any shepherd — the Good Shepherd of the sheep. We praise you for leading us perfectly through days of calm and peace. We acknowledge to you that there will be times that you, because of your perfect wisdom, lead us through dark valleys. Even then, Lord, we do not fear what may come. We thank you that you are leading us safely to our heavenly rest, where we will dwell forever. Yet, Father, we do wander even though guided by your Son. Forgive us for those times of sin and transgression, and help us to meditate on your goodness and mercy that pursues us all of our days.
We pray for our family and friends. We ask that you would guide and protect them as you have for us. We plead with you to open the eyes of our loved ones that they would see their need for the Savior. We ask that you would watch over our families in our churches and guide and direct parents to love and lead their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We pray for the elderly in our church families. We ask that you help them persevere and finish well the race you have given them to run. All of these things we pray through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Psalm 23; John 10
