Tag: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Morning Prayer: Friday 18 Sep 2020 – Psalms (23) and Proverbs (17) ~ I can lack nothing.

Morning Prayer, Friday, 18 Sep 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Gracious God: without You I am unable to please You.
Mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may rule and direct my heart in all things;
through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The LORD is my shepherd; therefore I can lack nothing.
(Psalm 23:1)

Preparation:

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ my Lord. Amen.

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; *
therefore I can lack nothing.

2 He shall feed me in green pastures *
and lead me forth beside the waters of
comfort.

3 He shall refresh my soul *
and bring me forth in the paths of
righteousness for his Name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, *
for you are with me; your rod and your staff
comfort me.

5 You shall prepare a table before me, in the
presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil, and my
cup shall be full.

6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
for ever.

__________

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) – People & Songs

__________

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 17

3 Silver and gold are tested
by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
by the Lord.

__________

Consider:  “I can lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)

I can lack nothing is both a declaration and a decision.

  • declaration: “I declare that all my needs are supplied by the LORD, my shepherd.”
  • decision: “I decide to not want more than what the LORD, my shepherd gives.”

” The wicked always want, but the righteous never;
a sinner’s heart is far from satisfaction,
but a gracious spirit dwells in the palace of content.”
(Spurgeon)

__________

Prayer:

+ Thanksgiving

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side. We thank you for setting us at tasks that demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us. We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone. Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he conquered death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

__________

Surely Goodness & Mercy – Shane & Shane / Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

__________

Blessing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Daily Reading: 23 May – Psalms and Proverbs: The Lord Is My Shepherd – Psalm 23

Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11 (NLT)

E100:9.a Psalms and Proverbs:

The Lord Is My Shepherd – Psalm 23 (NLT)

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

Good Shepherd icon

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

“Gentle Shepherd” – Heritage Singers

[Filmed August 3, 2009 inside St. Nicholas church during the middle of a brief Heritage Singers tour of a town called Znojmo, on our way back to Prauge, Czech Republic. This impromptu a cappella performance was witnessed by only a handful of people that were inside this beautiful church.]

Prayer (From Praying through Psalm 23)

Dear Lord Jesus, you are my shepherd, my Good Shepherd. You give me everything I need and more than I want. All I need in life is you, plus what you choose to give me.

Even the most difficult places in life are like green meadows as long as you are there; and in the desert seasons of my journey and the drought like conditions of my heart, you quench my thirst with living water and give me a peace that passes all understanding.

When I come to the end of my strength, you faithfully meet me there—granting me rest in my weariness and strength for my tired heart and body. I am so grateful that you have both marked the path for me, and that you yourself are my Way, Truth and Life.

Jesus, you never promised me that the journey towards the new heaven and new earth would be easy, quick, or without seasons and circumstances that are overwhelming; but you have promised never to leave or forsake me, even in the darkest valley. That’s all I really need to know—that you are close and that you love me, and that you won’t let anything happen to me outside of your perfect plan for my life.

Jesus, you are my portion, banquet and feast—Bread from Heaven, my nourishment and satisfaction. Though enemies threaten, you feed me, anoint my life with your grace and Spirit, and cause my cup to spill over with blessings, for the benefit of others.

Absolutely nothing will keep me out of the new heaven and new earth; and, just as certainly, nothing can possibly separate me from your goodness and unfailing love. Jesus, I rest in your love and trust in your grace. Amen.

Closing Sentence

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13 (NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!