Prayer to be Led by Our Amazing Good Shepherd

Christ is the Good Shepherd who faithfully gave His life for us.

But when He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. ~Matthew 9:36 WEB

I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own, and I’m known by My own, even as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. ~John 10:14-15 WEB

The Father, out of His great love for us, gave His only Son so that we might have eternal life.

See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God! ~1 John 3:1a WEB

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ~Romans 5:8 NASB

By this the love of God was manifested in us that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. ~1 John 4:9 NASB

People are Like Sheep

God compared us to sheep because we are prone to wander away from the Good Shepherd, which leaves us susceptible to being devoured by our enemy.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, each one, to his own way; but the Lord has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] to fall on Him [instead of us]. ~Isaiah 53:6 AMP

“Sheep are notorious for following the leader, regardless of how dangerous or foolish that may be. That sheep-like mentality was in evidence”¹ when Jesus was being betrayed. One moment, the people are crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” and the next moment, they are shouting, “Crucify, crucify Him!” at the direction of the chief priests and scribes.²

We are His Sheep

Thankfully, the Good Shepherd pursues us and then restores us to Himself.

What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish. ~Matthew 18:12-14 WEB

We can be secure and rest in the fact that we are His.

Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. ~Psalm 100:3 AMP

Following the Good Shepherd’s Example

Jesus Christ laid down His life physically for our sins; yet, while living on earth, Christ laid down His life in every interaction, exemplifying love, compassion, dignity, and understanding. His life was a demonstration of love in action.

The Word of God encourages us to follow Christ’s example in our lives, yet we cannot do this in our own strength. It is only by the Spirit of God that we can allow Christ within us to be demonstrated to the world around us. It is through surrender to Christ that we become holy vessels of honor.

I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. ~Galatians 2:20 AMP

For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. ~Colossians 3:3 AMP

Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. ~Ephesians 5:1-2 AMP

Surrender and Service in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd

Christ within compels us to love others.

Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ~1 John 4:7 WEB

Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His Word]; and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds. ~Hebrews 10:23-24 AMP

We follow the Lord’s example of loving service.

If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater that his Lord, neither is one who is sent greater than He who sent him. ~John 13:14-16 WEB

We can carry one another’s burdens.

[The Father] comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ~2 Corinthians 1:4 AMP

Trust in the Good Shepherd

Trust calls us to confidently rely on the Lord because of who He is – the Good Shepherd.

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. ~Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. ~Psalm 37:5 NASB

Trust calls us to renew our minds in His Word that we might learn of Him, His character, His will, and His ways.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. ~Romans 12:1-2 AMP

Prayer

Father, we acknowledge that Your love and compassion have made a way for us through Jesus Christ.

Lord, we acknowledge You as the Good Shepherd who watches over, protects, fights for, and intercedes on our behalf. Lord, we confess our desire to be led by You. Thank you for leading us beside still waters and giving us rest in green pastures. Surely the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places!

Father, we ask You, the God of peace, to make us complete in every good work through Jesus Christ, the great and Good Shepherd. Amen.³

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Hope – 3 Simple Prayers to Guide Our Way – Strength with Dignity

References

¹ What is the significance of sheep in the Bible? Retrieved from Got Questions [GQ], from https://www.gotquestions.org/sheep-in-the-Bible.html

² Matthew 21:9 NASB; Luke 23:21 NASB; Luke 23:10, 18, 23. This paragraph was first published on February 5, 2022, in Sheep Can Be Interesting Animals – Strength with Dignity

³ Psalms 23:2; Psalm 16:6a; Hebrews 13:20-21

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New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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