You are my gentle shepherd, lovingly guiding me, Your little lamb, in the way in which I should go, keeping me from danger. You are patient in all my strayings, firm but gentle in Your love.

You have been a faithful friend who has never left my side, nurturing and caring and tenderly loving me no matter what I've done, no matter how far afield I've gone, and no matter what other earthly things I have sometimes placed before You.

You have been a strong and wonderful father, sheltering and guiding me in the right path, showing me the way wherein to walk.

You have been my teacher, guiding and instructing me in the ways of life, pruning me and making me into a more fruitful branch of Your vine.

You are the healer of my wounds, of both body and spirit. You have poured the balm of Your lovingkindness and mercy upon me time and again.