There are two basic tools in the Shepherd's tool box. David refers them in the 23rd Psalm. "Thy Rod and thy staff... they comfort me." The shepherd needs a rod and staff. We are going to suggest here that the rod and staff are the Word and Prayer. Prayer protects them, and the Word feeds them. You don't personally solve their problems. You pray about them. You don't feed them with your own ideas, philosophies, or politics. You share the Word of God with them.