Shep
the Sheepdog and the Power of Praying Together
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
to the Story:
Prayer is how we talk with God and
welcome His presence into our lives. When two or more pray together, Jesus promises to be with them. God hears every prayer, no matter how big or small, and brings comfort and
light to our hearts. Calling on the name of Jesus fills us with hope and salvation.
On the edge of a quiet meadow near
the forest lived Shep the Sheepdog, a loyal, gentle pup with soft brown fur and
watchful eyes. He loved guarding his friends—the sheep who grazed peacefully
nearby. But more than anything, Shep loved teaching others about God.
One golden morning, Shep gathered
his friends near the brook that sparkled in the sun. “Friends,” Shep barked
joyfully, “today I want to share something special—the importance of prayer.”
“Prayer?” asked Bella the Bunny,
twitching her nose. “Is that when we close our eyes and whisper words?”
“More than that,” Shep said with a
smile. “Prayer is talking with God, our Father in heaven. Jesus, the Son of
God, taught us how to pray. He gave us the words of the Our Father so we would
always know how to speak to God.”
Shep lifted his head and recited
slowly, his voice filled with reverence:
“Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
As we have also forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”
(Matthew 6:9 - 13)
The animals grew quiet, their hearts
touched by the prayer.
“That’s beautiful,” whispered Ollie
the Owl, blinking wisely. “It sounds like a song of love.”
Shep nodded. “It is. Jesus gave us
these words to remind us that God provides for us, forgives us, and protects
us. When we pray, we draw close to Him.”
Praying
Together
That afternoon, a storm cloud
gathered over the meadow. Thunder rumbled, and rain poured down. The animals
huddled under a tree, shivering.
Bella trembled. “I’m scared.”
“Me too,” said Freddy the Fox,
wrapping his tail around himself.
Shep lifted his voice above the
rain. “Do not be afraid! Jesus told us: ‘Where two or three gather in my
name, there am I with them’ (Matthew 18:20). Let’s pray together right
now.”
The animals bowed their heads. Shep
began, “Dear Father in heaven, please keep us safe in this storm. Thank you for
being with us. Thank you for loving us.”
Each animal added their own prayer:
- Bella prayed for courage.
- Ollie prayed for wisdom.
- Freddy prayed for peace.
As they prayed, the fear in their
hearts melted away. The rain still poured, but inside their circle, they felt
calm. It was as if a warm light surrounded them, brighter than the storm.
When the thunder quieted and the
skies cleared, Bella exclaimed, “Praying together really worked! I felt safe.”
“That’s because Jesus was with us,”
Shep said. “Prayer brings His presence close.”
Saved
by His Name
The next week, Shep and his friends
went exploring in the hills. While playing tag, Bella slipped on a rock and
cried out, “Help!”
Shep rushed over, pulling her gently
to safety. Bella’s heart pounded. “I thought I was lost!”
Shep whispered softly, “Remember
what the Bible says: ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved’ (Romans 10:13).”
Bella wiped her tears. “So, when I
cried for help, God heard me?”
“Yes,” Shep said firmly. “God hears
every cry, whether whispered in prayer or shouted in fear. Jesus is always
ready to save.”
The animals nodded. They began to
realize prayer wasn’t just for special moments—it was for every moment.
Making
Prayer a Habit
From then on, the animals prayed in
many ways:
- In the morning, they prayed for the strength to live
kindly.
- At mealtime, they prayed in thanks for their food.
- At night, they prayed for protection and peace.
Sometimes they prayed alone in the
meadow, and at other times, they prayed together as a group.
Even Freddy the Fox, who once
thought prayer was only for emergencies, now said proudly, “Prayer isn’t just
asking—it’s thanking, listening, and trusting God.”
And Shep smiled. His friends were
learning the greatest truth: prayer keeps us close to the Light of Christ, who
always shines brighter than the darkness.
Moral
of the Story Poem
When storms arise or fears are near,
Our Father in heaven is always here.
With thankful hearts, we bow and pray.
He walks beside us every day.
Where two or three together meet,
Jesus is there, His love complete.
Call on His name—He’ll hear your voice.
With prayer and His light, we always rejoice.
Discussion
Questions
1.
What did Jesus teach us in the Our
Father prayer?
2.
How did the animals feel when they
prayed together during the storm?
3. Why is it important to pray in both happy times and scary times?
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