Have you ever had a scripture passage come alive as if God had directly emailed it to your heart? A verse that provided exactly what you needed in that moment?
That happened to me the other morning with Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need” (Psalm 23:1, Good News Translation).
That scripture popped into my mind during Quiet Time. What follows is a street-level prayer that rose up within me as I pondered the verse. Perhaps the words will speak to your heart too.
The Lord Is My Shepherd. I Have Everything I Need.
Lord, as I sit here with you this morning, I can feel those words are true.
Not because life is easy.
Not because I have every answer.
But because you keep showing me, in real ways, you are with me, guiding me, and giving me what I need for this day.
Thank you for creating me as a whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
Thank you for my mind, for the gift of intellect, the ability to think, reflect, understand, discern, and make choices.
My mind helps me pray, write, teach, listen, and do the work You’ve given me to do.
So, yes, Lord, I have what I need.
I have a mind that can think and discern.
Thank you for that gift.
And when my mind gets bossy, when it races ahead, overthinks, or tries to run the show, quiet it.
Help me use my mind well but don’t let it pull me away from your peace that surpasses understanding.
Thank you for my body, this sacred home you’ve given me.
My body is not separate from my spiritual life. It is part of it. It allows your love to become flesh in and through me.
It lets me walk, hug, work, rest, and be present to life.
It lets my hands bless, comfort, write, create, and do Your work to bring more love into the world.
So, yes, Lord, I have what I need.
I have a body that can carry your love into the world.
Thank you for that.
Teach me to listen to my body with kindness.
When it is tired, help me rest.
When it is tense, help me relax.
When it is carrying fear or stress, remind me I am safe. I am held in God’s love.
Thank you for my Spirit that connects me to you.
My Spirit is the umbilical cord that keeps me rooted in your Presence.
Through it I hear your gentle whispers of love and encouragement.
Through it I receive your wisdom, bit by bit, as I listen and trust.
And that too is what I need, what you have given me.
I have access to your Presence.
I have access to your love.
I have access to your wisdom, your comfort, your guidance, and your strength.
Help me keep trusting the Holy Spirit.
Help me slow down enough to hear its Voice of love and Voice of Wisdom above all the other noises.
Quiet Time Restores My Soul
And Lord, thank you for Quiet Time.
Thank you for these early morning moments when I can sit with a cup of coffee and meet with you as my Creator.
Thank you for providing a way to bring you my questions, my fears, my gratitude, and my desire to follow you.
Thank you for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, the presence of Jesus, and you, my good Father who loves me as His Beloved and wants to guide me.
That is everything I need.
I have a place to return to.
I have a quiet space where I can be reminded of what is true.
Through the Valleys You Are by My Side
Lord, life is not always easy.
Sometimes I walk through valleys I didn’t choose.
Sometimes life throws problems, challenges, disappointments, and losses my way.
Sometimes other people project their pain onto me.
Sometimes I create my own struggles through fear, poor choices, or by not listening to your wisdom.
But even there—even in the valleys—you are by my side. Your rod and your staff give me courage.
Your love steadies me.
Your wisdom guides me.
Your presence keeps me from falling apart.
When I don’t know what to do, help me listen and hear your Voice of Love.
When I feel confused, help me trust the next right step.
When I’m overwhelmed, help me remember I don’t have to carry life alone.
Lead Me with Inner Peace
Lead me to verdant pastures.
Lead me beside still waters, rivers, lakes, oceans and even my tears that baptize me and
restore my soul.
Teach me to begin each day with you in the quiet.
Help me let go of worries I carry.
Help me receive your guidance, your peace, and your strength for this day.
Bring my mind, body, and spirit into harmony.
Quiet what is anxious within me.
Strengthen what is weary within me.
Guide what is uncertain within me.
And teach me to walk each day grounded in your love, open to your wisdom, and willing to do the work you’ve given me to do.
Lord, you are my Shepherd. You are everything I need.
Amen.
—brian plachta
*************************
Looking for a Summer Reset for Your Soul?
If you’ve been longing to slow down, quiet the noise, and experience God’s presence in a deeper way, I’d love to invite you to join me for a free online four-week Divine Flow Book Study.
Together, we’ll explore simple practices from Divine Flow that help us move from just reading about God to actually living in the flow of God’s presence.
It’s best to join us live if you can, but if you’re unable to attend a session, each gathering will be recorded for registered participants.
To learn more and register, click the link below.
P.S. If you haven’t had a chance to pick up a copy of Divine Flow, here are the links to purchase:
************************
If you’re seeking a gentler start to your mornings—one you can carry with you into your day to find more inner peace—I invite you to join divineFlow Daily, a free short reflection and quote sent to your inbox each day. In under a minute, it’s meant to help you slow down, breathe, and remember what truly gives life before the noise sets in.
Sign up for divineFlow Daily here.
0 Comments