A Prayer of Thankfulness to the Good Shepherd
"My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish. No one can snatch them from my hand. My father, who has given them to me, is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of his hand."
John 10:27-29
Lord Jesus,
You are the Good Shepherd who lays down your life for your sheep. Oh Great Saviour, there is No One like you-no one as good and loving and powerful.
In your great love, you know the depths of each of your children. You not only name and remember each of us, but you study our essences. You wove our personalities into unique canvases of beauty. And when the threads became frayed and broken, you repaired them with your blood.
You know my innermost thoughts: what angers me, what brings me joy, what keeps me up at night, what drives me. Oh to be known so perfectly and yet be so deeply loved-in spite of what I do or do not bring to the table. You alone love me like this.
Forgive me for the moments when I think I can walk this faith walk on my own, for the moments I hide instead of resting in your deep-reaching love. Forgive me for when I hear your voice and pretend not to hear, for when I believe the lies of the thief instead of listening to the truth of the Good Shepherd.
I live as though I can be snatched by your hand by the disapproval of others, by discomfort, by lack of control.
But you never let me go. I cannot be stolen from your hand-not by the Enemy, not by others’ opinions, not even by my own idolatry. You won’t let me fall that far and again, I am astounded by your incomprehensible goodness and mercy-and your love, oh how you love us!
Please let my life be a tiny reflection of the gratitude in my heart that I can’t quite properly express. Help me to live a life that shouts, “I have a Saviour who loves me and he is great.”
Let me not tune out your voice. Amid the echoes of lies that surround me, help me hone in on your true voice alone. When I fall for the lies, pick me back up and help me start again.
I will not perish because you have made it so. Help me to live a life worthy of this gift-not because I have to earn your love, but because I already have your love. When my faith is hanging by the last strand of the last thread, hold onto me tightly. You never let go. Your cords that bind me to Jesus are stronger than steel and can never be broken.
I love you, Sweet Saviour. Amen.
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