Our inside-out habits: We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service.
A PERSONAL PRAYER
God, sometimes I feel like I am in control, and don’t worry at all. But sometimes, anxiety gets its tentacles into me, and I find myself staring at the ceiling, wondering about tomorrow. Either way, I am missing out on what you offer me. When I believe I am in command of my own life, that I am “the master of my fate, the captain of my soul,” I miss the joy and freedom that comes from trust in you. When I find myself wrapped around the axle about things over which I have no control, I miss the joy and freedom that comes from trust in you. Even when there are things I can control, my worry doesn’t propel me to action; instead, I find it paralyzing. Why can’t I learn to really trust you?
You are my shepherd. Like a child playing in a mother’s skirts, I will choose to play in yours. When things go well, I shall choose to celebrate. When things go awry, I will learn all the more to celebrate the table before me in the presence of mine enemies. When I have challenges to face, I will choose to face them with you, knowing that you will not fail me, and that nothing in life or death will be able to separate me from your love.
Teach me how to wake up every day trusting in you. In the name of the Good Shepherd, Jesus the Christ, I pray. Amen.
SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE
This Sunday, June 17, we continue our sermon series called “How to Pray the Psalms.” The message this week looks at the psalms of trust, expressions of our faith in and dependence on God, our shepherd and king.
I hope you will follow our summer devotionals on the go with our Scripture + Shared App. Scripture + Shared is offering weekly video messages from clergy and daily devotionals based on the Psalms. Ask a friend to be your Bible Buddy and join you! You can find out more information here, or download the Scripture + Shared app by searching for “scripture shared” in your app store.
PRAYER CALENDAR
Sunday, June 17 – Psalm 23
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 right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I 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 overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
Monday, June 18 – Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Tuesday, June 19 – Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask of the Lord,
that I will seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple.
Wednesday, June 20 – Psalm 27:7
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud
be gracious to me and answer me.
Thursday, June 21 – Psalm 27:13-14
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Friday, June 22 – Psalm 63:2-4
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
My lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I life;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
Saturday, June 23 – Psalm 121:1-2
I lift my eyes to the hills –
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
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