St. Nicolai Notes

Lenten Prayer – Day 26 – Fifth Thursday (March 18, 2021)
Gospel Reading: John 10:1-6 or 10:1-18

     Jesus, we rejoice that You have drawn near your people - your sheep – to offer care, protection, and life that is filled with your generous gifts. We rejoice that You live in intimacy with us, and with a vast multitude. And we are thankful that those who are attentive can learn to discern your voice while other voices compete with lavish enticements that lead toward danger and destruction. Give us ears to hear! Give us energy and courage to follow where You lead. 

     Enable us to walk through the door to life that You open to us by your own life and death. Enable us to trust You as we attempt to travel with each other on our pilgrimage of faith. We rejoice in the fullness we have already experienced in your presence. May we continue to welcome your gifts in order to share them with many others.
     We rejoice that You have given yourself completely for us. You have sought us, and led us, with such tenacious and durable love that we trust You as our only source of sustenance and security.

• You are the Gate to a life of freedom and fruitfulness; 

• You are our Shepherd who leads, guides, and protects. 

• You are the One who gathers us, with your other flocks, to share the benefits of God's reign.     

     We rejoice in You, and lay our lives down for You, as your Spirit enables us to do so. Amen.