Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvelous things.
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
You, Who, Do, Through
What comfort there is in these words! Shepherd your people and feed us. Show us wonderful signs, like you did in Egypt. We know you will show us faithfulness, as you promised to our ancestors. For thousands of years, people have prayed to God for their needs, just as we do today.
When I was putting together a list of prayers for our school community, one of my Jesuit colleagues suggested I include the “You, Who, Do, Through” template for prayer. The idea is to begin by addressing God by whatever name you prefer (You), add something God has done (Who), ask for something we desire today (Do), and end with “through Christ, our Lord,” “we ask this in God’s name,” or another familiar prayer (Through).
Doesn’t this passage invite us to pray in just this way? This Lent, as we look back on the wonderful things God has done, let us be confident in asking God to continue to guide and sustain us.
—Beth Franzosa is the Director for Mission Formation at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Prayer
YOU: Jesus, our shepherd,
WHO: You have guided and sustained your people throughout our history.
DO: This Lenten season, forgive our sins and help us continue to turn to you.
THROUGH: We ask this in your name. Amen.
—Beth Franzosa