Prayer Initiative: Closer to Jesus Sample

Shepherding was a regular job in old Israel, yet one with high responsibility and associated with danger, sacrifice, and seclusion. A good shepherd was hard to find. Many were paid but, in dangerous situations, they would abandon the flock and run for their lives. Shepherding was leadership. Good shepherds supplied provision, guidance, and safety to the flock. The same had to be true of the spiritual leaders of Israel, but it wasn’t. Unfortunately, most religious leaders of those days became leaders who were only taking care of themselves, like in Ezekiel’s times.

That is why when Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd they did not understand what He meant. Neither about the sheep entering through Him nor about Him laying down His life for the sheep. But His sheep recognized His voice and followed Him. He was the real Shepherd Isaiah wrote about, pointing to Messiah.

There is still opposition to Jesus and He is still calling His sheep to follow Him. We are His sheep. We are shepherds too, entrusted with His flock. Let us carefully watch Jesus and follow His lead. In Him, we will find life and life to the full.

Stay still for a couple of minutes and listen to the voice of your Shepherd. Where is He calling you? What is He telling you as to one of His sheep? What is He telling you as to one of His shepherds? Ask Jesus: “What do You have in Your Word for me today?” Listen and pray.

INTERCESSION: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42-27)

PRAYER:

• Pray for the flock of Jesus, His church.
• Pray for leaders of churches, to lead like Jesus did.
• Pray for the health and multiplication of churches.
• Pray that everywhere in the world - every city, village, high rise, digital space - there will be one healthy church for every one thousand people.
• Pray that all the practices listed in Acts 2 will be present, rooted, and multiplied in churches all over the world.