04/01/2026
First Sunday of the Year 2026
By Prophet James Osei Amaniampong (Rtd.)
Scripture Reading: Psalm 80
Theme: “May the Shepherd of Israel give ear to us” (Psalm 80:1)
On the first Sunday of the year 2026, Prophet James Osei Amaniampong (Rtd.) ministered powerfully from Psalm 80, centering his exhortation on the prayerful cry:
“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel.”
To give ear means to listen attentively, to pay heed, and not to turn away from the cry being made. It is a heartfelt plea that God will incline His ear toward our prayers and supplications.
The Prophet admonished us to establish this truth as a foundation for the entire year—that we will consistently pray and plead with God to keep His ear open to our cries, knowing that He is a Shepherd who listens.
Jesus – The Good Shepherd
Drawing from scripture, he reminded us that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). As a true shepherd, He knows both our joys and our cries, just as David did while tending sheep in the wilderness. When danger came—when the lion or the bear appeared—David did not abandon the sheep. He fought because the sheep were precious to him.
In the same way, Jesus knows when we are in distress. He knows when we are weak, afraid, or overwhelmed. The Prophet prayed that above all else, Jesus the Good Shepherd would truly shepherd our lives this year.
He pronounced the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24–26:
“May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
The Nature of a Shepherd
The Prophet explained that a shepherd knows his sheep inside and out. He is always available to them, providing guidance, protection, and nourishment. A good shepherd never abandons the flock.
He illustrated this truth with the life of Joseph. Joseph was greatly loved and pampered by his father, Jacob, which stirred jealousy among his brothers. That jealousy led them to conspire against him, selling him into slavery.
Yet, Joseph was never alone.
The Prophet revealed that Joseph had a Good Shepherd walking with him—through the pit, through slavery, through false accusation, and even into prison. Scripture affirms this:
“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy” (Genesis 39:21).
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, protected Joseph, guided him, and ultimately elevated him.
Calling on the Good Shepherd
When the Good Shepherd is with you, He protects you from evil. Therefore, in times of distress, call upon Jesus. Scripture assures us:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
The Prophet declared that the Good Shepherd can locate you wherever you are—no matter how hidden, forgotten, or lost you may feel. He urged us that in this new year, we must call good things into our lives.
Yes, there are wicked forces and evils in the world, but as Christians, we must not give them our focus. Instead:
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)
God has already given us the grace to withstand every storm of life. All we need to do is call on Him, and He will hear and deliver us.
A God Who Listens
The Prophet emphasized that God is ever ready to listen. He is prepared, as a Good Shepherd, to hear us whenever we call. In moments of distress, we must call on God alone, for He is the one who causes our light to shine and our glory to be revealed (Isaiah 60:1).
He cautioned against roaming about in search of God, as though He were far away:
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him” (Psalm 145:18)
It is a pity to see Christians wandering endlessly in search of a God who is already close. This year, our prayer must be that the God of Israel will listen to us, and that we will rest confidently in Him, assured that He hears our supplications.
Walking with the Shepherd
With God as our Shepherd, He will lead us on paths of righteousness and bring glory to His name (Psalm 23:3). Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will not fear, because:
“For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
He will protect us, guide us, and provide for us.
Living Testimonies that the Good Shepherd listens to us:
Two powerful testimonies were shared to affirm that God truly listens:
1. A Childhood Miracle
As a baby in Kumasi, while being carried on his aunt’s back, the Prophet fell and landed on his neck, passing out. His mother rushed him to a pastor’s house. After several hours of intense prayer, life returned to him. The Good Shepherd preserved his life.
2. Supernatural Provision
At another time, he needed GHS 45,000 to pay his children’s school fees. After exhausting all options, he visited Ecobank to explore a loan facility. During a women’s meeting where he led prayers, an elder approached him afterward and asked him to wait in his office. The elder explained that God had instructed him to bless him. He then took GHS 50,000 from his briefcase and gave it to him—more than what he had been searching for. God was glorified.
Conclusion
These testimonies point to one undeniable truth:
The God we serve is our Good Shepherd, and He listens to us.
As we journey through 2026, let this be our constant prayer:
“O Shepherd of Israel, give ear to us.”
And may we live each day confident that He hears, He cares, and He will surely respond.
*Reported by*
*Samuel Armah-Kessey*
