Prayers of the People: Follow the Crook-ed Path, 4th Sunday in Easter

for the 4th Sunday in Easter May 11, 2014  Readings:  Acts 2:42-47, Ps 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Jn 10:1-10

         For Episcopalians, the reading from Acts this week is infused with one of our Baptismal vows as "They devoted themselves to the  apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers..." And from 1Peter we are admonished again with the difficult reminder to suffer what we must but not return abuse in kind. We are to realize that by the wounds of Jesus we are healed because we were going astray like sheep, but you have now returned...  Psalm 23 is no doubt the best known piece of Scripture in the world and gives us the most pastoral image of Christ. The Gospel also carries the Shepherd theme and comforts us with another serene image, that of Christ as the divine Gatekeeper for all the sheep to have safe and abundant pasture. We are each called to follow the Good Shepherd's Crook along the path to eternal life.  

Let Us, God’s People, Pray

Leader: ~ Shepherd of our Souls, within Your gates we find a calm pasture to shelter us and nourish our spirits. You know our voices when we call; remind us to always listen for Yours and to remember that Your earthly death brings us abundant and eternal life.

                     By Your blood we were reconciled

Response:  By Your wounds we are healed

~ Shepherd of our Souls, so much of our world is filled with hatred, violence, and desperation.  As you stood peaceably in front of the political authorities of Your time, let us peacefully and persistently urge our political leaders to legislate compassion, equity, and mercy, as well as safety, economic and environmental justice.  We pray especially: add your own petitions

                     By Your blood we were reconciled

                     By Your wounds we are healed

~ Shepherd of our Souls, we ask Your comfort for those in our midst who are enduring illness of all kinds, and for those who see to their daily needs.  Anoint their hearts, restore their hope, and give them rest from anxiety.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                     By Your blood we were reconciled

                     By Your wounds we are healed

~ Shepherd of our Souls, we mourn our loss of those who have walked through that Darkest Valley.  We entrust them to Your care and wait in faith for the consolation of knowing that they now dwell in the light of Your House forever. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                     By Your blood we were reconciled

                     By Your wounds we are healed

~ Shepherd of our Souls, with glad and generous hearts our pastoral shepherds here on Earth, break and sanctify the Bread of Life to bring You to us with prayer and fellowship. Let us, with You, support them in their work with and for us, that together we may feed all of Your sheep with goodness and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                     By Your blood we were reconciled

                     By Your wounds we are healed

The Celebrant adds:  Lord of Heaven, we are called into Your mystical pasture to live and thrive on the Divine Bread of Life raised up for us by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus.  Keep us among the number of those praising You each day with the  goodwill of having been saved by Your love.  We ask this though Jesus Christ, our Guardian and Shepherd, and the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of our souls, who together with You, reign as One God, forever, and through all eternity.  Amen.

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