With the Lord as my Shepherd, I have everything I need.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, 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, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ~ Psalm 23
Lord, You are my Shepherd. I love Your tender watchcare over me — meeting my needs, protecting me from the enemy, leading me to places of rest and refreshment. Thank You so much.
I rejoice in my coming King and I kneel humbly before You in anticipation of what You may ask of me in this coming year — what You may ask of each of us.
The days grow dark as evil seeps in. But Your grace rains onto the earth like floodwaters washing away our fear and angst. Your light grows brighter even as You allow the sifting and shaking of Your people in preparation for the work at hand. I suppose that’s because You draw ever nearer to Your children when we struggle. Your presence overcomes the darkness as You hide us beneath the shadow of Your wing.
We are ready Lord. Ready and willing.
I feel some trepidation as I know others do, but the trepidation quickly slinks back to the shadows from whence it came when I remember Your abiding Presence and Your grace. Our sufficiency comes from You. Our hope comes from You. Our peace. Our joy …
Bless You Lord.
Open our eyes to see the lost and hurting among us. Awaken our hearts to meet their needs and give them Jesus. Bathe us in courage and Your sense of purpose as we step out in the waters to bring people home to You.
I ask that You anoint us with the power of Your Holy Spirit to do Your bidding, for it is not by our might, nor by our power, but by Your Spirit — You are our strength. You are our sufficiency. You are our all-in-all … our Shepherd who leads us.
Thank You for calling us Your own.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen
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Please don’t carry your burdens alone. I would be honored to pray for you.
You may contact me directly at nan@nanjones.com
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I know Christmas has passed, but the New Year with all of its dreams, hopes, and wishes looms on the doorstep. Perhaps my Advent Prayers would help you take the hand of Jesus as you step across the threshold into 2018. You can find my prayers of Advent here:
First Sunday of Advent: Steady My Heart, Lord
Second Sunday of Advent : Make My Heart Your Bethlehem
Third Sunday of Advent: Your Love Gives Me Hope, Courage, and Peace
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Learning to Be Still
