5/12/25

Monday Morning Offering: 5/12

Morning Coffee by George Mendoza
  
Every year, the scriptures for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (especially the second reading and the gospel) offer images of Christ as the Good Shepherd.  Nine years ago I wrote this Good Shepherd Monday Morning Offering.  Of all the prayers I've written over 18 years of blogging, this is one of my favorites. Here's the latest rendition...
 
With yesterday's scriptures
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 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...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from here to there,
    from one moment to the next,
    from today into tomorrow,
    from my past into my future...
 
Shepherd me, O God,
    beyond my wants,
        beyond my fears,
        from death into life...

Amen.

Shepherd Me, O God by Marty Haugen

If a widget doesn't appear below, clcik here!
 
 

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please THINK before you write
and PRAY before you think!