Psalm 23

Psalm 23 (NRSV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;a
3 he restores my soul.b
He leads me in right pathsc
for his name’s sake.

Lord,
Restore my soul. I am not confessing to any unusual distress today, though the economy has me a bit worried and I’m always concerned for my family and friends, but I am confessing the need for daily restoration. As my body needs daily bread, so my soul requires daily attention, the ongoing nurture of your Spirit.

And I pray for those who need more than daily bread, for those whose souls are being damaged by the challenges and tragedies of life – the poor and bankrupt, the ill, dying and grieving, all who care for the vulnerable and wounded, all who must choose between the bad and the worst, for all who require significant soul-restoration.

Lord, it appears that there are times when you restore our souls without fixing the circumstances that wound and even destroy. So, I pray, that in the midst of danger and death, you will restore souls. When illness will not be cured and when death will not be denied and when bankruptcy is inevitable, please grant to your servants soul-wholeness in the midst of the worst that this world has to offer.

Lead us in the path of righteousness. Teach us to do the right thing in the right way at the right time. Above all, keep us in right relationship with You and with our neighbors.

PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Pray that God will keep your soul whole.
Pray that the wounds on your soul will be healed and that all around you will be made whole.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.

a Heb waters of rest

b Or life

c Or paths of righteousness