A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering: 4/27

I love the image of the Good Shepherd - can't get enough of it! Ten years ago I wrote this Good Shepherd Monday Morning Offering and I believe I've posted it every year since. It has new meaning for me every year when I pray it and I trust that it might be the same in your heart and prayer...

With yesterday's gospel
still in my mind and heart, Lord,
I offer you this prayer:
   shepherd me
   through the ups and downs,
   joys and sorrows,
   temptations and graces

that come my way today

- and every day...

Shepherd me, O God,

from here to there,
from where I am

       to where I'm meant to be,
   from one moment to the next,
   from today into tomorrow,
   from my past into my future...

Shepherd me, O God,

from yesterday's problems

through today's dilemmas

to the peace your Spirit offers...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from memories that hold me back
       to a future I've yet to experience...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from my failings, sins and errors
       to the grace of a new beginning...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from fantasies and daydreams
       to a life that's authentic and certain...

Shepherd me, O God,

from selfish impatience

to endurance and docility...

Shepherd me, O God,

far from all my foolish ways

to the path where Wisdom beckons...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from selfishness and greed
       to a generous, giving spirit...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from arrogance and pride
       to humble self-surrender...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from the lies I've come to believe
       to the truth that sets me free...

Shepherd me, O God,
from all that's less than pure
to what's clear and clean and chaste...

Shepherd me, O God,

from my anger and resentments,

to understanding and forgiveness...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from my lazy habits
       to work that satisfies and serves...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from mindless wandering
       to the path you'd have me walk...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from flirting with temptation
       to doing what is right...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from prejudice and bias
       to understanding and acceptance...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from wasting what I have
       to sharing all that's mine...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from hopelessness and fear
       to confidence and trust in you...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from feeling sorry for myself
       to gratitude for all I have...

Shepherd me, O God,
   from doubts that cloud my thoughts
       to faith that clears my soul...