Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Shepherds

Inspired by Luke 15

As a shepherd seeks a lost sheep,

so God seeks and saves the lost.

Like a woman who searches for a lost coin until it is found,

so God rejoices over one soul restored to wholeness.

As a father receives a returning wayward son,

so God welcomes us, and lets the past be the past.

Therefore let us praise God in thanksgiving that we are received.

Let us receive and welcome and rejoice over one another in the name of Jesus Christ.

Ruth Duck in The United Methodist Book of Worship: Regular Edition Black, United Methodist Publishing House, 2016.

God our Father,

Lord our Shepherd,

Spirit of the Living God,

One in Three … and Three in One:

We praise You our Creator, Savior, and Provider.

By Your grace, we lack nothing.

You feed us in body and in soul.

You give us rest when we are weary.

You direct us on ways that are good and right.

You go with us through the dark times

so we will not walk them alone.

You protect us in Your goodness

with Your strength.

You spread before us

a banquet in the wilderness

and a feast in the face of whoever

and whatever threatens us.

You pour over us Your oils

of cleansing grace, of healing, and of gladness.

And no matter where we have wandered,

You open wide Your arms to welcome us home.

That is why we praise You;

That is why we love You;

That is why we are here to worship You today,

our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

the One in Three and the Three in One. AMEN.

Richard Herman

Inspired by Psalm 23