Growing up as Sunday school kids, we were taught to memorize some popular Bible verses. Psalm 23 was probably the longest one I memorized and I was so proud.
However, it took me many years to get over the fluidity of rehashing this Psalm from memory and get into the actual words of this beautiful Psalm.
This may have been the same for you.
Today, I want us to spend some well-thought-out time on this Psalm.
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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, your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23: 1-6(NIV)
Wow!
Writing out this chapter gave me another opportunity to meditate on these words.
King David truly had a way with words. He was able to craft relatable yet personal prayers to his maker.
Six prayers from Psalm 23
Here are six powerful prayers from Psalms 23. The words in Psalm 23 touch on every aspect of our lives, even our lives as single women. It is a reminder that God sees us and he knows what we are going through.
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Pray for God’s provision and sustenance
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
Psalm 23:1
Could this Psalm have started any better? I don’t think so ?
It clearly set the stage to display the loving authority and providence of God.
As a shepherd is responsible for his sheep, so is God responsible for his children.
Let me repeat that for those at the back: God takes responsibility for those who trust in him.
I added the highlighted part because we need to know our role and God’s role. We are the sheep not the shepherd (as most of us try to be). We follow our shepherd (God), he sets the pace and we follow. A sheep cannot lead a shepherd, and neither can a sheep provide for itself.
Sis, we lack nothing, not because we have everything but because we know a God who owns everything.
You can’t even imagine how excited this makes me. ????
You may be worried about your relationship status, your finances, your career, and all the other aspects of your life. And I’ve got some good news.
God’s got you!
He needs us to trust him as our shepherd and in His ability to provide all that we need.
- Pray to be in God’s rest, His hiding place.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
Psalm 23:2
We are in a world that seems a bit obsessed with self-care and self-love, but this often falls short because it is driven from a place of ‘self’.
There is a better way – God’s care and God’s love.
Wooh. I want some of that!
Imagine lying down on a soft blanket, strewn across the grassy banks of the stream, and under the shade of an oak tree. The gentle breeze brings with it the sounds of birds chirping in some distant place.
Sounds good, right?
What King David envisaged was even better.
It is not just physical rest, but also spiritual and emotional rest.
It is only God that truly refreshes our souls. Do you know why?
He is our creator and he knows what we need more than we or anyone else ever could.
This is why we should continually pray for rest from our anxious hearts and worries. Stop stressing about marriage or your finances, but rather lay it all at his feet, and allow him to give you his immaculate rest.
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Pray for God’s guidance and direction
“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake”
Psalm 23:3
Did you read that?
God guides us aright for his name’s sake.
He does it to fulfil his word. So, it’s not about us but about him. His word says he will never leave nor forsake us, and he will exemplify this in our lives for his name’s sake.
Hallelujah!
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Pray for His protection and comfort
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4
What are you going through right now?
Is it your health, your finances, a family emergency, or the constant pressures to get married?
Whatever this valley may be and no matter how dark and lonely it may seem, our God is right there with you.
As he was with David in that cave, while David and his men were hiding from the army of King Saul, so is He with us, right now. Trust God and know that He is able to redeem our situation for his glory. Amen
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Pray for God’s elevation, wisdom, and discernment
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“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23:5
The best kind of success is a God orchestrated one. And the reason is simple – God’s approach to elevation is not superficial.
Superficial elevation quickly falls in the face of adversity, but a God-ordained and sustained one stands firm like a rock in a storm.
This is because God builds us up from within and gives us the capacity to handle the things that come with each stage and season of life.
God groomed David in the wilderness as David protected the sheep against the lions and bears, so that when God anointed him, king, David was ready to take care of God’s people, Israel.
Are we trying to run ahead of God or will we allow him to prepare a table for us in his own time?
Will we let him anoint our heads with oil or complain that we are not the right people for the job?
I pray we allow God to groom us and prepare us for the seasons ahead, and may all we do be for His praise and glory. Amen
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Pray for God’s peace and eternal connection
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm23:6
See, we don’t want God’s goodness just for the day or for this year but for all the days of our lives. In John 17, Jesus said this:
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
John 17:3
Eternal life is about relationship.
It is about the continuous revelation and knowledge of our God. This is not just head knowledge but heart knowledge, a knowledge that bridges the gap of sin, fear, and regrets with His love, faithfulness, and mercy. I pray that we continue to enjoy this relationship through the precious blood of our lord and savior. Amen
In conclusion
I don’t know about you, but I have been blessed by this Psalm.
Isn’t it funny how we can be aware of something, for years, only to realize we never really knew or understood it?
I have seen God use this Psalm to minister to me, at different times, and my prayer for you is that as you meditate and pray these prayers, our ever-faithful Lord will visit you like never before. Amen
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