"I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands” (Psalm 119:176).
Our Father, when we were like sheep going astray, You sought us and brought us back to "The Shepherd and Overseer of our souls" (1 Peter 2:25). Thank You for Your mercy and Your tender love.
Lord, You have shown us Your heart in the "Parable of the Lost Sheep." You are the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine in the open country and goes after the lost sheep until he finds it" (Luke 15:4). Thank You for Your loving pursuit.
Thank You compassionate Father for embracing us in love and forgiveness when we "come to our senses" (Luke 15:17)—when we suddenly realize we are trying in vain to fill our deep emptiness from the pig troughs of this world (Luke 15:16).
Father, we bring to You in prayer all the other wanderers who have strayed like lost sheep. Whatever their story. Like your people in Psalm 107:
Those "wandering in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle...hungry and thirsty, their lives ebbing away" (vs. 4-5).
Those "sitting in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High" (vs.10-11).
Those who "became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities...loathing all food and drawing near the gates of death" (vs. 17-18).
And those, Lord, who have tasted the "success" of this world, who "went out on the sea in ships...merchants on the mighty waters. (vs. 23). Some are still "riding the crest" with no need of You. Show them their peril, Lord, as they blindly navigate the deep on their own.
Others, in the height of success "mounted up to the heavens," but eventually found themselves storm-tossed and shipwrecked. In the gales of life and the winds of change, they "went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end" (vs.26-27).
Oh Lord, in these situations and all others, You show Your "unfailing love" and Your "wonderful deeds" (Psalm vs. 31) to every wanderer, to every prodigal, to every restless heart. To those dying and drowning in trouble You "send [Your] word and heal them" and You "rescue them from the grave" (vs.20). To those who are storm-tossed, You "still the storm to a whisper; You hush the waves of the sea, You bring calm, and You guide them to their desired haven (vs.29-30).
We bring each to you by name. Bring them all home, Lord God. Redeem them "from the hand of the foe" (vs.2), so they can tell their story of Your amazing grace. Let them join the song of the redeemed, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever" (Psalm 107:1).
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