Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."
(Lord, thank you for shepherding me. Thank you for loving me and bringing me into your
family. Thank you for your Word which guides me just as any shepherd guides his flock.
Lord, thank you for providing for my needs. Thank you for ensuring I want for nothing.)

"He makes me lie down in green pastures,"
(Lord, who but you can make sure the pastures turn green each spring? Each year is a
miracle of your making and your praises are sung by the very beauty you have created.
I praise you, Lord, for making me rest in your presence.)

"he leads me beside quiet waters,"
(Lord, you know that lately the quiet seems scarcer, it seems there is constant pressure
to be moving as a turbulent river moves -- thank you for the quiet waters. I pray that you
teach me to rest quietly even as turbulence surrounds me. To be a testimony of you in
this way would be the delight of my life."

"he restores my soul."
(Thank you, Lord, for forgiving me and restoring me. Thank you for restoring my soul
though I will never deserve restoration. Thank you for choosing to love me and restore
me, and for loving and encouraging me even when I can see nothing but failure.)

"He guides me in paths of righteousness"
(Thank you, Lord, for your guidance. Thank you for your correction. Thank you for your
discipline. Thank you for your Word.)

"for his name's sake."
(Lord, I thank you for anything in me that glorifies you. Lord, I ask for your help in my
life, your strength, your wherewithall, to guard my testimony of you in my life.)

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,"
(Oh Lord, sometimes it feels as if this valley is constant!! Like the shadow of death is
everywhere and overshadowing everything. As if every step taken is examined and found
wanting.)

"I will fear no evil, for you are with me;"
(Thank you, Lord, for being with me. I pray you do not forsake me, Lord, as there is no
other than you for me. I pray for a sense of security in you, a tangible shield of your
very presence around me, so fears are allayed with the very thought of you and your
love.)

"Your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
(Thank you, oh Lord, for your discipline, for your training, for your refining, for bringing
me into your workshop no matter how painful, how difficult, etc. Lord, thank you for the
knowledge that any other way is useless and futile.)

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
(Lord, I do not understand why there are enemies, and I don't always understand the enemies
I fight. But I love you and praise you, Lord, for your divine sense of justice, humour and
irony as you allow me to dine at your table even while not being welcomed at others' tables.)

"You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows."
(Thank you, Lord, for not just accepting me into your family, but for bringing an overflowing
cup of grace, mercy, blessings, and love, from the family surrounding me daily. Thank you,
Lord, for allowing me to work for you, and for honouring me. I pray I will not forget these
gifts you have given.)

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,"
(Thank you, Lord, for your presence in my life.)

"and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
(Oh Lord, thank you.)