Lord, You Are My Shepherd

Lord, you are my shepherd; I lack nothing that I really need. You care for me and lead me. You restore and revive me. Even in the darkest times, I don’t have to be afraid, for I know you are there with me, protecting me and comforting me. You provide my needs, you pour out on me one blessing after another. Your goodness and love—and constant presence—are all I need, now and forever. Amen.

(a prayer based on Psalm 23, from The Bible 30-Day Experience Guidebook by Bob Hostetler)

Two Things

 

With Your Right Hand

Christ Our Lord, 

You suffered and were tempted. 

You are powerful to come to the aid 

of those who are assailed by the devil, 

for you are the support of Christian people. 

O Lord, protect with your right hand 

those who trust in your Name. 

Deliver them from the Evil One, 

and grant them everlasting joy. Amen. 

(a prayer of St. Gregory of Khandzta; photo by joojoo41 via pixabay.com)

At My Right Hand

 

Reckless Love

Savior, If My Feet Have Faltered

Savior, if my feet have faltered

on the pathway of the cross,

if my purposes have altered,

or my gold be mixed with dross.

O forbid me not your service,

keep my yet in your employ.

Pass me through a sterner cleansing,

if I may but bring you joy.

All my work is for you, Master,

you are all my heart's desire.

O, that you will count me faithful

in the day that tries by fire.

Have I worked for hireling wages?

Or as one with vows to keep,

with a heart whose love engages

life or death to save the sheep?

All is known to you, my Master,

all is known, and that is why

I can work and wait the verdict 

of your kind but searching eye.

Let me love you, let love rule me,

springing up and flowing forth 

from a childlike heart within me

or my work is nothing worth-- 

Love with passion, love with patience,

love with principle and fire,

Love with heart and mind and utterance

serving you my one desire.

In Jesus' name, amen.

(a hymn of Albert Orsborn, slightly revised; public domain image from pixabay.com)

For a Faith Like Abraham's

Lord, I know what your word says: 

"Abraham believed God." 

Not, "Abraham believed the text."

Not, "Abraham believed a set of precepts."

Not, "Abraham believed a list of propositions."

But "Abraham believed God."

I tend to be dangerously "nominal" in my faith, as A. W. Tozer puts it. But I want a faith like Abraham's, your friend, whose faith rested on your presence, personality, and character. And I sense you drawing me into the reality of your presence. 

Help me to be your man, and not my own; 

to trust you, and not myself or my own strength;

to think your thoughts after you, not my own;

to accomplish your will, not my own.

Not my own--let that phrase characterize me and my all, in Jesus' name, amen.

(illustration by Gustav Doré, Abraham Journeying into the Land of Canaan)