Thursday, September 19, 2013

Take the Iniative to Pray with the Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 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 have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 23:1-6  

Take the initiative and pray scripture to God—He likes to hear us use His words to glorify and worship Him. Here’s my version of the most favorite of all Psalms—Psalm 23—as a prayer.

The Lord is my shepherd...Lord you are my shepherd--I trust you to take care of me, keep me safe and show me where to go. 

I shall not want--I'm relying on You Lord to provide for my needs--spiritual & physical--including my health. 
He makes me to lay down in green pastures—You provide a safe place for me where there is plenty of food. 
He leads me beside still waters--again providing for my safety--I won't fall into swift currents and drown. 
He restores my soul--He gives me hope and makes my life have meaning. 
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake...He shows me how to live for Him--the right way. 
Ye, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For Thou are with me. Even in the really tough times I don't have to be afraid of anything--seen or unseen. That includes aches and pains--no evil attacking me can keep me from God--He is always with me. 
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. I don't have to be afraid of being beaten by you, God--you use those shepherd tools to rescue me, keep me safe, and protect me from harm. 
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You provide nourishment for me--even when I'm being attacked, accused, or watched by my enemies--those I'd be afraid of if You weren't close beside me. 
You anoint my head with oil. In a dry and dusty climate oil is needed for our heads and feet--You not only provide that Lord--You take the servant attitude and pour it on yourself. What an example of a true servant's heart!
My cup overflows. You are so generous to me--I can't even contain all that You bless me with--it just flows out of my heart and life--hopefully blessing those around me. 
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. God, You are so good--blessing me so generously with all that is good and showering me with Your mercy--which I don't deserve--but you give it to me anyway--always and forever. 
And I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever. Jesus, You've a place for me in heaven--and I long to be there with You through eternity. I praise You!

Training Tip – If you haven’t taught your children to know Psalm 23 yet—help them begin to memorize it today. Pray scripture with your family regularly so that becomes a habit for them. 

Lord God, You are my shepherd and I depend on You. Please continue to guide my children and grandchildren, too, in Your loving way—protecting them from evil and giving them the assurance of your loving presence in their lives.

Our God is awesome--and powerful--and merciful. Pray that He will touch and heal my niece Michelle as she is stricken with gallstones AND pancreatitis. Her pancreas must be healed before there can be any gallbladder surgery--and we are trusting that God will miraculously do just that. He can heal her gallbladder, too! He has wonderfully made us--and hasn't thrown away His diagram or design for perfection. Let it be Lord--a pure and perfect healing of Michelle's pancreas AND gallbladder. Thank You, Lord God. We give You the praise and glory and honor.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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