Response from Scattered Sheep.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, April 30, 2015

Response from Scattered Sheep.

Another passage about sheep. And a shepherd. You’d think there was something going on, what with this continuing sheep/shepherd motif. (Kidding! Actually, it’s a marvelous image.)

As I read this passage from Ezekiel 34:11-16 from the daily lectionary reading, I was touched so much by the description of God as our Shepherd. Rounding up the sheep who are far away. Rescuing those who are in trouble. Gathering them together, and caring for the many, many sheep from all over the pasture.

How am I to respond to this loving, caring, rescuing Shepherd?

As I read the accompanying reading for reflection for today, I was struck by what a perfect response it would be. It comes from a Vocation Prayer, from the Beech Grove Benedictine Community. As I read through it, this prayer went straight to my heart. My insides. My gut. Here it is. What a response to God.

“O Lord, You know me. You know when I sit and when I stand. You have me always present in Your mind. For this, Lord, I thank You.

“You know the path for my life and what is best for me. Lord, reveal to me the path that I am to walk.

“Bless me and guide me and be Lord to me so that whichever road I take I may do all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

What else is there to say? Such a marvelous response. Such an earnest, heartfelt prayer. Dear Lord, as I echo the words of this prayer, hear me. Guide me. Reveal the path I am to walk. In Jesus’ risen and rescuing name I pray, Lord.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

The Runaway Bunny—I Mean, Sheep

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Illustration from “The Runaway Bunny”
by Margaret Wise Brown
Pictures by Clement Hurd

The Runaway Bunny—I Mean, Sheep

This week’s daily lectionary readings have a great deal to do with shepherds and sheep. (Among other, related matters.) However, I immediately associated today’s reading for reflection with one of my favorite picture books: “The Runaway Bunny.”

Today’s reading for reflection is several paragraphs from “Prayer” by Simon Tugwell. In that reading, I was deeply moved by the following: “ . . . very often, we are not looking for God; far from it, we are in full flight from Him.”

Sure enough, I immediately connected this reading with “The Runaway Bunny.” The simple story has two characters, a little bunny and his mother bunny. The little bunny has wanderlust, and wants to strike out on his own. Run away. Unheeding. The mother bunny pursues him, lovingly, diligently, persistently. In the words of Margaret Wise Brown, “If you run away, I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.”

We are not the ones who need to look for God. Instead, God comes looking for me. Lovingly, diligently, persistently. Even though I am heedless. Even though I run away—often. Even though I am quite like this little bunny, repeatedly turning my back on my loving Mother Bunny. (Or, is it my loving Shepherd?)

“Shucks,” said the little bunny, “I might just as well stay where I am and be your little bunny.”
And so he did.
“Have a carrot,” said the mother bunny.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, gracious Shepherd, thank You for loving me. Thank you for pursuing me, even when I run away from You. Talk about secure parenting! You are indeed a loving Shepherd (or, is it a Mother Bunny?) to me. Thanks, Lord.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

Knowing the Shepherd’s Voice?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Knowing the Shepherd’s Voice?

Babies are darling, and adorable, and sometimes fretful and even fussy. Babies are often perceptive, and often know exactly who they can be safe with. I met a baby—about six or seven months old—just a few hours ago. Adorable baby! And, quite comfortable with his mom. The baby knew very well who was important!

The liturgical lectionary scripture reading for today communicated this very thing. In this passage about sheep from John 10, Jesus tells His disciples how the sheep follow the Shepherd because they know His voice. The sheep know very well who is important!

Not hired help, not thieves and robbers, but shepherds. The shepherd is important. (To the sheep, anyway!) Our Lord Jesus expressly says this; I suspect the possibility of thieves and robbers coming to steal and destroy was a real threat.

In terms of today, the concept of sheep transfers to the local congregation, or group of believers. The hired help or even the thieves and robbers can be seen as church leaders or ministers. Not very effective leaders, or loving leaders, or engaged leaders.

These specific church leaders or ministers are out for their own aggrandizement and financial gain. Or, control and manipulation. Regardless, these grasping, self-involved thieves and robbers often remain in their positions for a long time.

Let’s thank our Lord for bringing this negative feature of false ministers to our attention. Also, thanks for the generous word-picture of the sheep following the One they know best.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for the good and gracious promises that keep us centered in You. Forgive us for taking You for granted, and even forgetting all about You. As we come to You on a regular basis, please encourage our hearts to care for You and our minds to welcome Your words. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

Pray. Sigh. (What Would a Shepherd Do?)

matterofprayer blog post for Monday, April 7, 2014

Spring-Lamb
photo by Richard Peters

Pray. Sigh. (What Would a Shepherd Do?)

What do you do when things spin out of control? Sometimes I pray. But that’s only sometimes.

Today, I went with the flow. I did the next right thing, the next responsibility that came to my attention. Sure, there were some roadblocks. But if I handle one thing at a time, it all seems to be okay. Sort of okay, that is.

I just bought a book over the weekend at a used bookstore. It’s a reprint of the Phillip Keller classic “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.” Today, I happened to crack it open somewhere around the middle. It did not surprise me that the words I saw were apropos to my current situation. The chapter talked about “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow, You are with me.” I read that our Shepherd does know all about our approaching storms in life. And yes, our Shepherd Jesus is with us through those anxious times.

Even though I’m not in the out-of-doors, living rough, or in the middle of a severe health concern, staying in the hospital, I still can feel the darkness, the anxiety of life. I can still feel things spinning out of control. I know I have little (if any) control over the actions and responses of others. However, with God by my side, I can choose to take action. I can speak kindly and act generously. I think that is what our Shepherd Jesus wanted me to learn today.

Like I said, it all seems to be okay now. Sort of okay, that is. Sometimes, that’s good enough. Good enough for me, and good enough for God, too. After all, God is always there, right beside me. Even when I walk through those dark valleys of difficulty and unmanageability. God will help me to walk every step of the way.

Let’s pray. Thank You, God, for leading me to this book. When I picked it up, I found just the words and thoughts to help me. Thanks! And You are wonderful to send me good and gracious gifts each day. Open my eyes—open our eyes and help us to recognize Your grace, forgiveness and love. Thank You for being right by our sides, each and every day. In the name of our Shepherd Jesus, Amen.

@chaplaineliza

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net Shortlink: http://wp.me/p43g3i-4d