The following prayer was written by Jay D. Weaver for the services held at the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, Lancaster, PA where he served as worship leader on September 12, 2004. The gospel lesson for the morning was Luke 15:1-10, which includes the Parable of the Lost Sheep. The poem is from a hymn also written by Jay. The hymn is entitled, "Good Shepherd Lead Us." Incidentally, the last two verses of that hymn were used as the benediction in the services.

Great King of the Universe, we live in a very dangerous world. Natural disasters seem to occur more frequently and with greater power. The noise of battle is impinging on every side. We cannot rely on our own strength, and we will not rely on the armed might of our government to save us. The military response to 9/11 has only served to increase recruitment of terrorists. Jesus said, “He who lives by the sword, will die by the sword.” You are a God of strength and so, we look to your saving power and your compassion as we face these perilous times.

The blood of innocent people cries out from the soil of Iraq, The Sudan, and many other places. So many people are dying in wars fought for greed and a lust for power. We were horrified to witness the taking of Russian children as hostages followed by their ultimate death. How long must the children of this world continue to suffer and die at the h ands of their elders?

Oh God, our hands are not clean. We live in a bountiful land, and yet we take from the rest of the world that which does not belong to us.  We have so much and they have so little. We continue to bow to the gods of materialism. God of mercy, we have strayed so far from the teachings of Jesus. Open our eyes that we might see the error of our ways. Lord, we seek your grace and your forgiveness.

This morning we are also concerned for our friends and neighbors in harm’s way from Hurricane Ivan. Comfort them as they face still another disaster. So many people have suffered great loss during this hurricane season. Give us hearts of compassion as we share with those who have lost everything.

Sometimes our journey seems long and hard, yet we have a shepherd who knows the way and attends to our every need. When we lose our way, he searches us out. When we stumble, he picks us up and nurses our wounds. We thank you for restoration and for healing.

We offer these prayers in the name of the Good Shepherd, even Jesus our Lord.  Amen