Praying The 23rd Psalm
To enter the sheepfolds of the Middle East, a shepherd's sheep had
to pass under his rod for him to inspect their condition up close. The
shepherd would tend to any obvious needs one by one. Then when all the
sheep were in the fold, he lay down across the opening with his own
body. Through the 23rd Psalm we better understand our Good Shepherd in a
personal way. Ask God to show you about himself in this classic psalm,
which unfortunately is so familiar that we can recite it without
receiving its revelation deep in our spirits. Listen for what God wants
you to know about who he is, what he does, and what you have in your
Shepherd.
As you cultivate your personal communion with God in prayer, let
him lead you to pray this psalm for others.
The Lord is my Shepherd.
Jehovah-Rohi: God my Shepherd
Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd who knows my own sheep by name (John
10:11)." The Lord of the universe knows you personally! Thank Him for
your relationship with Him.
Pray it for others: Jesus is the great Shepherd of all His sheep. Pray for someone who is discouraged and thinks God has forgotten them. Pray
for them to know God as their Shepherd.
I shall lack nothing.
Jehovah-Jireh: the Lord my Provider
If God provided so much in Jesus to meet your spiritual needs, will He
not also take care of your daily practical needs? Pray, "Give us this
day our daily bread (Mat. 6: 11)," and name specific needs you are
trusting him for. Thank him he is your provider.
Pray for others: Pray for those who have real financial needs and for
those who are discontent with what they have. Pray they will know
Jehovah-Jireh.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
Jehovah-Shalom: God my Peace
Pray about anything that is disquieting your peace. Affirm that God is
your peace. Pray about God's leading in His work and decisions.
Pray for others. Ask God how to pray for someone in a hard place. Pray
for Him to calm all fear, doubt, worry, inadequacy, and anxiety with the
Prince of peace in their heart.
He restores my soul.
Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord my Healer
Where do you need the healing and restoration of Jesus the Healer?
Pray for others: Pray for God to heal the hurts, bitterness, control,
judgments, differences, separation, wrong priorities, apathy, etc., of
someone else.
He guides me in paths of righteousness...
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord my Righteousness
Pray for God's guidance as you dedicate yourself to follow Him as Lord.
Pray for someone else: Jesus declares us to be righteous, not for what
we have done, but because of his perfect righteousness. Pray for
salvation for somebody who has not received Jesus as God's perfect
sacrifice for their sin.
For His name's sake.
Jehovah-M'Kaddesh
God's name is holy. He says, "I the Lord alone am holy, and I make you
holy because you are called by my holy name." Pray that you will not
dishonor his name.
Pray for others: Pray that someone away from God will desire to bring
glory and honor to his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Jehovah-Shammah: God who is there
Jesus promised his disciples, "I have all authority, and I am always
there for you (Mat. 28:19, 20)." Affirm his presence with you that
dispels fears and unbelief.
Pray for others: God promised his presence in Exodus 3:12 for leading
the children of Israel out of Egypt. In Exodus 33:14 reaffirmed his
presence to finish what he began. Ask God to reveal himself to your
family and friends in powerful new ways.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You can depend on the rod of His protection and the staff of His
correction and rescue. Receive the protection and correction of your
Good Shepherd.
Pray for others: His comfort is as warm and tender as that of a mother
for her child (Isa. 66:13, 49:13, 52:9). Who needs you to pray God's
comfort for them?
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord my Banner of victory
Praise God that He gives victory over your enemies and sins, as you
depend on the authority of your crucified, resurrected, victorious
Redeemer.
Pray for others: Pray the same prayer for your family and friends.
You anoint my head with oil.
Oil was used for medicine, sanctification, appointment to office, and as
a sign of fellowship. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who is all these
things. Thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit to heal, restore,
soothe, cleanse, appoint to His work, and give a sign of your fellowship
with the Father and his Son.
Pray for others: Pray that your family and friends will walk in the
Spirit.
My cup overflows.
Exercise your attitude of gratitude.
Pray for others: Pray that your family and friends will praise God
continually as their Source.
Surely goodness and love with follow me all the days of my life.
Thank God for a specific evidence of His goodness and love He has shown
you daily.
Pray for others: Thank God for people who have shown His goodness and
love to you. Tell them so at your first opportunity. Pray that they will
see God's goodness to them.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Ask God to show you how to practice His presence with you continually.
Pray for others: Ask God for the body of Christ to worship Him with
their whole heart and be committed to living in His presence daily.
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Taken from "Praying The Character Of Your Father From The 23rd Psalm,"
Prayer Portions, p. 245-246. © by Sylvia Gunter.
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