Go after the one that has drifted away, even if the larger group is already together

Stay with the larger group and hope the missing one finds the way back alone

Wait until the missing sheep is found by someone else

Treat the missing sheep as a small loss and move on

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have wandered from God like a sheep that has gone astray. I confess my sin and my need for your mercy. I believe that you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you to bring me back to God. I confess you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for receiving me. Amen.

Come Back to the Shepherd

Lord, awaken your Church to your heart for the one who is missing. Keep us from being satisfied with the safe and familiar while someone is wandering. Give us compassion, persistence, and joy when the lost are found, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Wake Us to Seek the One

Father, when I feel overlooked or far away, remind me that I matter to you. Draw me close, calm my fear, and help me rest in your care, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For the One Who Feels Far Away

Pray by naming one person who has drifted from faith or community, ask God for compassion instead of frustration, and ask for one clear step to move toward them this week.

Show Me One Person to Pursue

Give thanks for: God's care that does not ignore the one who is missing; patient love that keeps seeking; every sign of return and restoration.

Gratitude for Your Patient Search

Pray for: someone who has drifted from God; a friend who feels far from the church; courage to move toward them with gentleness and patience.

For Those Who Have Drifted

τί{TEE###TEE###what} ὑμῖν{hee-MEEN###hee-MEEN###to you} δοκεῖ;{do-KEE###doh-KEE###seems} ἐὰν{e-AN###eh-AN###if} γένηταί{YE-nee-te###YEH-nee-teh###should have} τινι{tee-nee###tee-nee###some} ἀνθρώπῳ{an-THRO-po###ahn-THROH-poh###man} ἑκατὸν{he-ka-TON###heh-ka-TOHN###one hundred} πρόβατα{PRO-va-ta###PROH-vah-tah###sheep} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} πλανηθῇ{pla-nee-THEE###plah-nee-THEE###should go astray} ἓν{HEN###HEHN###one} ἐξ{eks###ehks###of} αὐτῶν,{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###them} οὐχὶ{oo-KHEE###oo-KHEE###not} ⸀ἀφήσει{a-FEE-si###ah-FEE-see###he will leave} τὰ{TA###TAH###the} ἐνενήκοντα{e-ne-NEE-ko-da###eh-neh-NEE-koh-dah###ninety} ἐννέα{e-NE-a###eh-NEH-ah###nine} ἐπὶ{e-PEE###eh-PEE###on} τὰ{TA###TAH###the} ὄρη{O-ree###OH-ree###mountains} ⸀καὶ{KE###KEH###and} πορευθεὶς{po-ref-THEES###poh-rehf-THEES###having gone} ζητεῖ{zee-TEE###zee-TEE###he seeks} τὸ{TO###TOH###the} πλανώμενον;{pla-NO-me-non###plah-NOH-meh-nohn###straying sheep}

Matthew 18:12 — FormalTAB

More on this verse