Pray Psalm 23:5 with me. After the dark valley, the Shepherd sets a table, anoints my head with oil, and fills my cup until it overflows.

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.
— Psalm 23:5

A Psalm 23 Prayer

I’ve seen you working. The strong Shepherd who searches out the best fields and the clearest water. You make sure my needs are met. I am neither hungry nor thirsty. Manna from heaven fills my belly with just enough to last for each day. You bring water out of the most unconventional places. I’m surprised every time. And in these beautiful places, you bring rest that renews and restores. You fill my heart and mind with joy. With peace that can’t be explained. I am satisfied.

We tread farther down the ancient paths where a thousand other pilgrims walked before us. The way is right and good. But soon the terrain changes. The beautiful meadow gives way to hard, rocky ground. I’m surrounded on every side. Fear leaps to my chest. My breath is shallow and my mouth is dry. Here in this dark valley, I am paralyzed by doubt. I question your judgment. How can this be the way? I’ve lost sight of the path. I can’t see the Shepherd. But somehow I know you’re right here with me. Fighting for me. Comforting me. You whisper to me in the darkness: the night lasts only a moment, and joy will come in the morning. And I wait.

Just as you promised, the dawn breaks full and bright over the trees and I can see the clearing. I am bruised from the night of struggle. I see the remnants of a battle that I didn’t fight. And now shafts of light cascade onto a table set just for me. You invite me to sit. It’s spread with every good thing. Even in the presence of those who hate me — the enemies that surround me — you are there.

You’ve arranged this table with purpose and you invite me to sit with you. To fellowship. Here at the table you seal your promise. I’m not a stranger passing through. I’m family. Not only do you invite me to sit at your table, but you give me the honor of being a special guest. You pour the fragrant oil of your Spirit all over me. Not just cleansing and preparing, but reminding me of who I am — the one who belongs to you.

But you don’t stop there. You pour your blessings into my cup and now I’m overflowing. Blessing me beyond all my imagining. Filling my life over and above all I could ask or think. So much that your abundance spills onto everyone around me. Your protection is sure. Your fellowship supplies all I’ll ever need. And in the bounty of your presence I am satisfied.

Verses to Carry With You

• Then you put a leader over us.
  We went through fire and flood,
  but you brought us to a place of great abundance.
  — Psalm 66:12 (NLT)
• The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
  — John 10:10 (NLT)
• May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
  — Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)

“God knoweth best what is needful for us, and all that He does is for our good. If we knew how much He loves us, we should be always ready to receive equally and with indifference from His hand, the sweet and the bitter; all would please that came from Him.”
— Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

Join us next week as we finish our journey through Psalm 23 and are welcomed home.

Write your own Psalm 23 prayer from your own story, and share a line of it in the comments. I'd love to pray it with you.

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