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Prayer to Jesus the Good Shepherd

O Jesus, Good Shepherd, see us gathered from near and far, proclaiming - You are our Master, our Shepherd. You call and lead us to fruitful paths of peace and contentment, in You Jesus is sweet labor and joyful rest. Never have You abandoned us, sweet Jesus; never have you failed us. Through dark nights and difficult moments, You carry us. There is no fear when You are near. You are the Way, the Truth and the Life; without You, who can survive? O loving Son, as the Father has entrusted all of us to You, bring back quickly to the fold those who are lost. Send the Spirit to make us humble, meek and obedient, that You may be pleased to grant our every plea especially this one (Make the request). O Good Shepherd, You are our only hope. Only You can make us one; only You can renew our land. Only You can lead us safely to our true home where at last, we shall see and adore You face to face forever. Amen.

Invocations to Jesus the Good Shepherd

Jesus, Good Shepherd…

From coldness of heart and indifference to your goodness and love*
From a profound grief caused by an intense pain of loss and defeat
From the unbearable sense of guilt and shame
From utter hopelessness, restlessness, and anxiety
From loneliness, depression, and feelings of abandonment
From a life of sheer thoughtlessness and dissipation
From serious illnesses, incapacitating weakness and weariness
From addictions, enslavement, and total helplessness
From unjust repression and suppression of fundamental rights and liberties
From a demeaning poverty and a lack of basic human needs

*… lead us to the fullness of life.

Jesus, Good Shepherd…

For the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI*
For our Bishop, Most Reverend ____________________
For our Pastor, Father/Monsignor ___________________
For Bishops and Priests all over the world
For all the Superiors of religious orders
For formators in seminaries, convents, and religious houses
For parents and other household heads
For seminarians, nuns, catechists, teachers, and religious workers
For all pastoral lay leaders
For government and civic leaders

*… give us shepherds after your own heart.

Jesus, Good Shepherd…

That our concern may always be for the needy and the poor*
That we may learn to serve selflessly and generously to the best of our ability
That we may always be ready to take risks and make personal sacrifices for the sake of the common good
That we may patiently seek those who are lost and help them find their way back to you
That we may bring comfort and healing to the sick and the broken-hearted
That we may help bring about freedom and hope to the imprisoned and the oppressed
That we may always be ready to forgive and to show mercy to others
That we may be humble in success and victory, faithful in failure and poverty
That our hearts may always burn with love for you and for our neighbor
That we may always learn to trust in the power, love, and goodness of God

*… make our hearts like yours.