A Collect to Care for Those in Our Charge

Lord Jesus, good shepherd of the sheep, instill in us hearts that truly care for one another and for those over whom you have placed us, that we would stand together in strength in the face of danger and opposition as you care for us and protect us from those who would scatter and destroy, through you who lives and reigns in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen. ‘The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away–and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.’ – John 10:12-14