Prayer
Jesus said: ‘I am the good shepherd’ and so we pray:
Good Shepherd, watch over us today in all we face and experience.
Never leave us or forsake us and journey with us always.
Good Shepherd, you know us as no-one else knows us.
Guard us and keep us,
as you guard and keep those whom we love.
Good Shepherd, we pray for the sick and the lonely;
for the anxious and the bereaved; for those whose pain is beyond our comprehension.
We stand with them and commend them to your care.
Good Shepherd, we pray for the carers in hospitals and in homes
and for all who serve the needs of others.
May the example of living compassion inspire us in our care for others.
Good Shepherd, you know the depths of our heart and the fears which are ours.
Speak into the depths of our heart and calm our fears.
Good Shepherd, you know us by our name and our identity is not hidden from you.
Gather us to yourself as a shepherd gathers the sheep, that we might know your Name.
Amen.