Prayers of Intercession - The Good Shepherd

A Good Shepherd by John Ndevasia Muafangejo, 1974

Prayers written for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 29th April 2021 (Year B, Easter 4) based on readings from John 10.11-18 and Psalm 23.

Let us offer our prayers to the Lord, our Shepherd.

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, receive our prayers for the people of your church, especially those entrusted to minister to your flock.
May their voice draw those outside the fold away from the temptations of the world and into the green pastures of new life
   and restore the souls of the faithful with the waters of your living body.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, who knows his flock just as the Father knows the Son;
   draw the world, by the power of the Spirit, into the very life of your being;
   where there is unity in diversity;
   where all persons exist in and for each other, held together in your love.
We pray for the leaders of the world, this nation and this city, that they may follow the path of your righteousness;
   seeking goodness and mercy for all people;
   acting with honesty and integrity in all they do.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, who cares for all his flock;
  receive our prayers for those for whom we care and who care for us.
We pray for our families, friends, neighbours and work colleagues.
Transform our lives in your likeness,
   that we might care more deeply for the lost sheep in our midst;
   seeing those shrouded in darkness;
   hearing the silent cries for mercy;
   reaching out to grasp hold of those drowning in despair.

Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, who stays with us through danger;
   comfort those walking through the valley of the shadow of death, especially the people of India.
Be near to all those who are sick and suffering and who have asked for our prayers, including Caroline and Manuelle, John, Vanessa, Peter, Jennifer, Adrian and family, Melvyn, Ian, John, Kim, Nick, Martin & Sam;
   and we pray for all those whose names are written on our own hearts.

Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for us in order to take it up again,
   receive our prayers for the recently departed, including Jude and for his mother and father Nathalie and Jonathan and all who mourn.
May all those left behind here on earth rest in the assurance of joining your faithful in the safety of your heavenly fold.

Merciful Father
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son
our Saviour, Jesus Christ
Amen

The Good Shepherd by Anjolie Ela Menon, 2004

Image (Top) : A Good Shepherd by John Ndevasia Muafangejo, 1974
Image (Above) : The Good Shepherd by Anjolie Ela Menon, 2004

Links : Global Christian Worship : Jesus as Good Shepherd in Asian Art