The Great Shepherd

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.

—Isaiah 40:11 (NKJV)

O LORD, My Shepherd,

Help me to look to You—just as a sheep looks to its shepherd—fully and confidently trusting that You will see to it that all of Your sheep have everything that they need in You.

Help me to know You as the Great Shepherd, who sees to it that His flock is fed in every way—with food and water for their bodies and Your Word and Your Spirit for their souls—as they abide with You.

Help me to understand how You gather in Your lambs—those most dependent on You for protection and provision—with Your mighty, yet gentle and loving arms, and how You carry them close to Your heart, never letting go of them.

Help me to believe that You gently lead those who are with young—carefully showing them the way they should go and guiding them on every step of their journey—as they put their trust in Your strength, wisdom and love.

Help me to look to You—just as a sheep looks to its shepherd—fully and confidently trusting that You will see to it that all of Your sheep have everything that they need in You.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.