Morning Prayer
These
two set of prayers are used as part of the opening pray
during
Journey Toward Wholeness,
a
healing retreat for women. These prayers follow the theme
of the Shepherd's love, nurture, and healing extended to
us.
These prayers get run off on nice paper with a shepherd
watermark in the background. One of these days I'll make
that available as a pdf download. If those lovely things
were just sitting on the website, they would take a half
hour to download onto your computer. So, one of these
days.....
This prayer time is usually outside in the early morning
sun with the women gathered around in a circle. Prayer goes
on for about 20 minutes with scripture, reflection and
song. The Shepherd prayers are a part of that.
Saturday
Morning
Shepherd:
I am the Good Shepherd and I know my sheep. My sheep
recognize and listen to my voice. I know them and they
follow Me. I give them eternal life and they shall never
perish.
All:
Lord, You are my Shepherd. I shall not want.
Shepherd:
In the dark and cloudy day that you were scattered, I
sought you out to deliver you from places of chaos,
devastation, panic, and fear.
All:
Lord, You are my Shepherd. I shall not want. You Lord are
my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear: You are the
strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Shepherd:
I am the Good Shepherd. You shall not hunger or thirst,
neither shall the heat nor the sun strike you down. For in
mercy I will lead you and by springs of water I will guide
you.
All:
He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me by
still waters.
Shepherd:
I am the Lamb in the midst of the throne. I will tend you,
shepherd you, lead you to living fountains of water. And
God, your Creator shall wipe away all tears from your eyes.
All:
Lord, You are my Shepherd. I shall not want.
Shepherd:
There is a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God. And I say come. You
who are thirsting….. come!
All:
And the bride says “Come!” Let each of us who
hears say “Come!” Let us each who thirsts come
to the river. Let us take the water of life freely and
deeply into the areas of our needs.
Sunday
Morning
Shepherd:
I am the Good Shepherd. Fear not for I am with you. Do not
be dismayed for I am you Lord. I will strengthen you. Yes,
I will help you. I will hold you up with my right hand.
All:
Yes,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod for
protection and your staff for guidance, they comfort me.
Shepherd:
I am your Shepherd. When you pass through the waters, I
will be with you; and through the rivers, you shall not
drowned. When you walk through fire, you shall not be
burned.
All:
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me.
Lord You stretch out Your hand against the wickedness of my
enemies, and your right hand saves me.
Shepherd.
You are the sheep of my pasture, I have created you, formed
you. Do not fear for I have redeemed you. I have called you
by your name. You are mine.
All:
Though many should encamp against me, my heart shall not
fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be
confident. You, Lord, are the Shepherd of my soul. You are
my light and my salvation., You are the strength of my
life. How great is Your goodness toward those who trust in
You!.
Shepherd:
I am the Good Shepherd and I say to you “Fear not
little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure
to give you the kingdom. He has determined to give you the
Kingdom.”
All:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.