The Shepherd

Today is Sunday, since most of the churches worldwide are having live streaming now, I also can have worship service at home. I found this prayer that applying Psalm 23 into the situation now is very beautiful. 

First one is the original Psalm 23, and then the beautiful prayer that I ran into on internet today. 

Psalm 23 (NIV)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
 he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. 
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
 I will 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 love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

The Prayer over the Gifts
The Lord be with you. 
And also with you. 
Let us pray 

Yes Lord, you are our shepherd, 
and even in the midst of this uncertainty we hold to your promise that we will not want.
Thank you. 
Even when we do not know what the next day will bring, 
you give us moments to lie down, as if in green pastures, 
and lead us to quietness, as if beside still waters. For this gift, 
thank you. 
When our energy runs out, and our compassion slides into nervousness, 
you restore our souls and guide us along right pathways, 
so we continue to honor your name with lives that say 
thank you. 
Death can seem as close as a cough, with illness lurking at every turn, 
but we have your assurance that you are with us, so we need not fear evil. 
As your rod and staff comfort us, we sigh with relief and breathe 
thank you. 
Although we are physically separate from each other, you prepare a table for us, 
in the presence of this enemy virus. 
In the midst of trouble, you anoint us with oil and fill our cup to overflowing. 
Thank you. 
We are not lacking goodness and mercy. 
They follow us in every act of kindness these days so that all the days of our lives become
thank you. 
Although most of us are in our homes, you are with us, dwelling with us, 
making in our hearts a house for your Beloved, Jesus Christ. 
Thank you.


Source: https://genevalutheran.church/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/March-22-A4-people.pdf