Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Shepherds
Inspired by Psalm 23
Father, we come to express our appreciation for you as our great Shepherd. We are your sheep whom you know by name. Accept now the praise we as your flock offer in your presence.
We thank you sincerely for your personal shepherding care. You have led us through green pastures and by still waters in the paths of righteousness. You have restored our soul in times of need, and comforted us with your rod and staff. You have not deserted us in times of danger—even in the valley of the shadow of death. You continually remain with us as our loving Shepherd when we drive on the highway, when we work at our jobs, when we relax at home, when we study in the classroom, and even when we travel out of town. How we appreciate your constant shepherding care. Thank you for reaching out when we wander from the path because of temptations, doubts, and discouragements.
Our hearts are full of thanksgiving as we worship through Christ our Chief Shepherd, the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Amen.
Paul Engle, Baker’s Worship Handbook: Traditional and Contemporary Service Resources, 1998.
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.
Inspired by Psalm 23
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.