River Nith

I’ve always found so much comfort in this prayer. Even though I am surrounded by people that I love, there have been many times that I wanted to be alone with God to work out a problem, receive an answer, or when I felt I needed protection. I have even used this prayer to thank God for being the Shepard to the cats that I feed that live outside. I’m grateful to David, once a shepherd himself, for giving us a psalm. I am most grateful to God, my Shepherd, who tenderly attends to every human need and to every need of His creation. If this prayer has accompanied you in your own journey, I would be honoured to hear how God met you there—please feel welcome to share your experience in the comments.

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Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Psalm 23:1–4, NIV

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¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴ 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.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ 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.