Praying Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Lord, I live as if everything depended on me. Teach me the strange rest of being shepherded: provided for, watched, known. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. You know I would not stop on my own. Make me lie down. Give me the grace to receive rest as obedience, not weakness. He restores my soul. Not my image, not my plans, not my productivity: my soul. Restore what the year has worn down in me. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. You do not promise to airlift me out of valleys. You promise to walk through them with me. Be with me now, in whatever valley this is. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Even Your correction is a form of care. Correct me, Lord, before my own choices do it more harshly. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; my cup overflows. Give me eyes to see the table instead of staring at the threats. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Let me trust this ending when the middle is unclear. Amen.