Psalm 23: A Prayer for two readers
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
Shepherding God,
thank you for always being there for me.
The Lord lets me rest in green meadows
and leads me beside peaceful streams.
God, you give rest, beauty,
and living water for my thirsty soul.
The Lord renews my strength
and guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to God’s name.
God, you know I am weak and often get lost.
Breathe into me your Spirit’s energy
and show me where to go,
so that my steps and words
reflect the justice of your great 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.
Stay close to me, God,
so that I can hear your voice in the dark places.
Whisper calm assurances of your presence, love, and protection.
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.
God, you love a feast!
There is a special place set at your banqueting table
marked with my name.
You nourish and empower me
for the good work and joy you have in store for me.
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.
Shepherding God,
your relentless love will find me and bring me home.
Your persistent, never ending, eternal love will do it.
Always.
Forever.
Amen!
—Scripture: New Living Translation, vs 2,3 adapt. Prayer: Diane Dykgraaf, © 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike International. Used by permission.
Blessing:
May the eternal God feed you, strengthen you, protect you, and remain close to you,
empowering you to pursue wholeness and justice.
May the presence of God hold you when you walk through dark and frightening places.
May the light of God shine through you, pointing to the path of meaningful service.
May the overwhelming, unceasing, all-encompassing love of God,
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you now and forever,
Amen.
—Diane Dykgraaf, © 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.
Psalm 23 for Kids
The Lord is my shepherd.
God takes care of me and gives me what I need.
When I am afraid, God whispers, I love you.
When I have a bad day, God says it’ll be okay.
When I’m alone and scared in the dark, God sees me cry.
When I am lost, God finds me and carries me back home.
God has a special place for me in his house.
God has a seat saved and a plate set at the table just for me.
God loves me! God cares for me! I am God’s child.
—Adapted from Psalm 23 by Diane Dykgraaf, © 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.
Psalm 23: A Prayer for Those Who Are Dying in Christ
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
God of my birth,
I need your presence for this passage of dying.
The Lord lets me rest in green meadows
and leads me beside peaceful streams.
Be my rest for the days, hours, and minutes
you have for me on this earth.
Lead me to the peaceful, thirst-quenching,
restoring waters that are waiting for me.
The Lord renews my strength
and guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to God’s name.
I have no strength
and need your Spirit to fill my weakness.
I will honor your great name
as you bring me to a new and spacious place.
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.
Shepherding God, hold me in the dark.
Protect me on this journey from death into life eternal.
I know that I will be kept safe in your loving arms.
I belong to you.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
Give me a glimpse of the feast you have ready for me.
Show me the abundance that waits for me.
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.
Carry me, Great Shepherd.
Carry me home.
I long for the future you have waiting for me.
I long for those who have gone before me.
I long to be complete in your presence.
Carry me, Loving Shepherd.
Carry me home.
—Scripture: New Living Translation, vs 2,3 adapt. Prayer: Diane Dykgraaf, © 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.