Village Shepherd

Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

Good Shepherd, the image of you with a lamb draped around your shoulders is a tenderly caring image, especially if I'm the lamb! But what about that crook you carry to sort out the sheep, or the dogs you need to keep them in order? Those images are a little more disturbing. Good Shepherd, enable me to be a good sheep. Help me to be a grown-up sheep who can safely be left on the rugged hillside to fend for myself, but whom you will defend to the hilt when necessary. Good Shepherd, sheep who remain quietly in fields don't get into trouble and therefore don't need rescuing. Give me the courage to stand alone on that hillside risking attack and danger, for only then will I really know your wonderful care.

Good Shepherd, sheep who remain quietly in fields don't get into trouble and therefore don't need rescuing. Give me the courage to stand alone on that hillside risking attack and danger, for only then will I really know your wonderful care.

Good Shepherd, your Church so often feels like a comfortable field, with lush grass ready to eat, and well fenced in against danger. But sheep who live in fields like that have no need of a shepherd. Good Shepherd, enable your Church to step out onto the hillside, to stand up for its beliefs and to support the marginalised, for only then can it really experience your shepherding skills. Today, at the beginning of Christian Aid Week, we pray especially for Christians in Korea.

Good Shepherd, enable your Church to step out onto the hillside, to stand up for its beliefs and to support the marginalised, for only then can it really experience your shepherding skills. Today, at the beginning of Christian Aid Week, we pray especially for Christians in Korea.

Good Shepherd, in this beautiful world you have given us there are many wolves, snarling and waiting to viciously attack. Give integrity to all our governments, that they may care for the sheep and repel the wolves. And with Christian Aid, help us to realise that the wolf of hunger is our responsibility, and can be defeated if we learn to properly share our wealth.

Good Shepherd, give integrity to all our governments, that they may care for the sheep and repel the wolves. And with Christian Aid, help us to realise that the wolf of hunger is our responsibility, and can be defeated if we learn to properly share our wealth.

Good Shepherd, it seems that sheep turn into wolves if they don't receive the proper love and care and attention from the cradle onwards. Help us to so love that we nurture sheep, and so to care that perhaps we can begin to help some wolves change back into sheep.

Good Shepherd, help us to so love that we nurture sheep, and so to care that perhaps we can begin to help some wolves change back into sheep.

Good Shepherd, some of your sheep need your health giving touch, and we bring into your presence. Lay your healing hands upon them ... We name them in our own hearts...

Good Shepherd, some of your sheep need your health giving touch, and we bring into your presence. Lay your healing hands upon them ... We name them in our own hearts...

Good Shepherd, when those we love die, your sheep often feel deserted and hurt and bereft. because someone they love has died, . May all those suffering the immense grief of bereavement from either a recent death, or one suffered in previous years at this time feel your arms around them, giving them the strength and support and love they need. Especially we remember the family of ...., and those for whom this time of year brings a sad anniversary....

Good Shepherd, may all those suffering the immense grief of bereavement from either a recent death, or one suffered in previous years at this time feel your arms around them, giving them the strength and support and love they need. Especially we remember the family of ...., and those for whom this time of year brings a sad anniversary....

We ask these prayers through you, because you are no hired hand who flees at danger, but the one Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.