Daily Prayer for the Lord's Day, March 2, 2025: 1 Peter 5:1-4

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4, ESV)

Prayer: Our Father, we praise your Name and give you thanks because you provide us a shepherd to watch over our souls. Your Word tells us that your beloved Son is the Good Shepherd of the Sheep, and he guides and directs us through this life full of danger and distress. We thank you that he is an infinitely wise and faithful Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep of his pasture. We thank you that he is faithful to watch over us during those days when the sky is blue, and the storms are raging around us. We thank you that he provides us good food for our souls because we know that man doesn't live by bread alone. Therefore, he gives us the food of your Word. We thank you that he provides under-shepherds who are tasked with the responsibility to care for those he loves.

We pray for those men you have provided your church. We know that we are fallible and weak. We know that we are creatures of dust like the rest. We know they wrestle with sin and struggle with many things in this life. We pray for you to sustain and uphold them. We pray for your Spirit to help them by giving them your wisdom. We pray they are godly examples before your people in thought, word, and deed. We pray for them because they, too, are sheep in need of the help of the Good Shepherd. We pray for them because they are the means you use to help your people navigate this fallen world and arrive safely at their heavenly rest. Please help those men and watch over them day and night. We pray these things through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Scripture Meditation: 1 Peter 5:1-4