God, our Gentle Shepherd,
We praise you for all the ways you lead us to respite and rest
You are provider and sustainer of our lives.
We will never be in want.
You lead us to fields of plenty.
You refresh our souls with the cool clear waters of your Spirit.
Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd,
we follow You because we know Your voice.
With confidence we know You will lead us through the darkest valley.
You are faithful to accompany us
so we will fear no evil but be comforted.
You came to give us life and bless life abundantly.
You have prepared Your table for us and anoint us to further your mission in the world.
Pour out the blessing of your Spirit:
as we worship, serve, and share life together,
as we respond to your voice.
Nourish and strengthen us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
we confess that we stray from your goodness,
your will and your ways of peace.
All of us are like sheep who have gone astray—
we have not loved You with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are sorry and we humbly repent.
Shepherding God, today we pray for one another…
including our wider Mennonite Church Canada community of faith.
Bless Doug Klassen and his ministry, MCEC leadership gathered this weekend,
and each of our sister congregations…
May our witness of peace bless your world.
We pray today for those who suffer.
We pray for the children. May hope be theirs.
We pray for those who live in plenty, but also those who live in want,
the lonely or isolated,
the grieving and those who struggle or find days hard.
May hope be theirs.
We pray for those living with addiction, anxiety, or worries,
those recovering from surgery or awaiting surgery,
those receiving treatment and those anticipating next steps.
We pray for the aged who live with increased limitations.
May hope be theirs.
For the needs of loved ones which we name before you now
aloud or in the silence of our hearts…………may hope be theirs.
Shepherd us O God, beyond our needs,
beyond our wants.
May we rest in the warmth and security of your embrace,
in the stronghold of your love.
May Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives.
These things we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus
who taught us to pray saying…Our Father……