Scripture Reading
Luke 15:4-5
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing."
Reflection
The shepherd in this parable does not wait for the lost sheep to find its way back — he goes looking. This is the character of God toward those who wander: active, persistent, joyful on the return. No one is so lost that they are not worth seeking. And when found, there is no scolding — only a shoulder to rest on and a journey home.
Prayer for Today
Dear Jesus, seeker of the lost, I pray for your help today in finding my lost pet. I thank you that you are the Good Shepherd who cares deeply about us. Thank you for creating the love and affection I have for my pet and for caring deeply about my sorrow and sense of loss and loneliness I feel without them. I pray the seeking power of Luke 15 4-6 for myself as I look for my pet:
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' (New International Version.)
Please give me the wisdom to seek well and the patience to continue searching.
Please protect and care for my pet while they are lost. Send good people to act as angels to care for, protect and rescue my pet as they wander.
And if in the end my efforts to find my pet are unsuccessful, I pray that my pet will be a joy and a blessing to a new family somewhere who will love them as much as I do.
I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' (New International Version.)
Please give me the wisdom to seek well and the patience to continue searching.
Please protect and care for my pet while they are lost. Send good people to act as angels to care for, protect and rescue my pet as they wander.
And if in the end my efforts to find my pet are unsuccessful, I pray that my pet will be a joy and a blessing to a new family somewhere who will love them as much as I do.
I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Amen.