Programming note: For personal reasons, I’m pausing the spiritual disciplines series for a week. Read the first installment about prayer here, and come back next week for a conversation about reading scripture.
Last week, I mentioned Psalm 23 as an example of a piece of scripture that can be repurposed as a daily prayer.
Then, over the weekend, my husband’s grandfather, “Pa,” finished his earthly race. Throughout the days that followed, Psalm 23:4 was recited several times as an encouragement and a comfort to my sweet in-laws.
This week, I simply want to share Psalm 23 in its entirety as a meditation and a prayer. Allow the Lord to comfort and encourage you through his word, and feel free to share these words with anyone you know who may need them today.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23, ESV
If you prefer to worship through song, this adaptation of Psalm 23 has been a favorite of mine since I was in high school:
As always, thank you for reading. If you can, please pray for my in-laws as they learn to navigate a world without their Pa.