I love Psalm 23 as a springboard to prayer.
I find myself returning to it repeatedly.
Many other prayer warriors speak of this psalm as an inspiration in prayer.
A couple of nights ago, I was thinking again about the opening words of the psalm: "The Lord is my shepherd."
I focused on the first two words: "The Lord . . ." There is so much to meditate on in these words that you can spend an entire prayer time pondering them.
As I was thinking about these words, I pictured the Lord in heaven in the apostle John's magnificent description in Revelation 1 and Revelation 5.
In Revelation 1, the picture of Jesus is stunning - and frightening. He is glorious and his eyes are like flames of fire and his face gleams like the sun. And it seems as if a sword is coming from his mouth - perhaps a sign of his power to judge.
Quite rightly, John reacts by collapsing in front of him.
But Jesus demonstrates his love and grace by touching him and telling him not to be afraid. And he tells him to record the vision. This suggests to me a sign of Jesus' love for us - he wants us to know what is coming ahead of time so that we can prepare spiritually for the end times.
For me, this is awe-inspiring. Our God is a great God, a just God and a mighty God. He is not to be trifled with.
Later in Revelation 5, we get a very different picture of Jesus. A scroll is presented and a mighty angel shouts: "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"
John is devastated because no one steps forward - until he sees a lamb "looking as if it had been slain". The lamb takes the scroll and those around him fall before him and praise him in song.
This brings forward the sacrifice of Jesus for us as believers. He loved us enough to die for us. He is both almighty and self-giving.
These word pictures of Jesus are a launching pad for praise and worship.
When I think of those words "the Lord", I could also contemplate other qualities of God - creator, redeemer, healer, provider.
Indeed, the remaining words of Psalm 23:1 speak of the Lord as our shepherd. That itself is enough for more praise.
As Donald S. Whitney says in Praying the Bible, we can use phrases from Bible passages such as the Psalms to trigger praise and requests. The Bible becomes a book of prayer and praise.
Our prayer lives need never run dry.
I find myself returning to it repeatedly.
Many other prayer warriors speak of this psalm as an inspiration in prayer.
A couple of nights ago, I was thinking again about the opening words of the psalm: "The Lord is my shepherd."
I focused on the first two words: "The Lord . . ." There is so much to meditate on in these words that you can spend an entire prayer time pondering them.
As I was thinking about these words, I pictured the Lord in heaven in the apostle John's magnificent description in Revelation 1 and Revelation 5.
In Revelation 1, the picture of Jesus is stunning - and frightening. He is glorious and his eyes are like flames of fire and his face gleams like the sun. And it seems as if a sword is coming from his mouth - perhaps a sign of his power to judge.
Quite rightly, John reacts by collapsing in front of him.
But Jesus demonstrates his love and grace by touching him and telling him not to be afraid. And he tells him to record the vision. This suggests to me a sign of Jesus' love for us - he wants us to know what is coming ahead of time so that we can prepare spiritually for the end times.
For me, this is awe-inspiring. Our God is a great God, a just God and a mighty God. He is not to be trifled with.
Later in Revelation 5, we get a very different picture of Jesus. A scroll is presented and a mighty angel shouts: "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"
John is devastated because no one steps forward - until he sees a lamb "looking as if it had been slain". The lamb takes the scroll and those around him fall before him and praise him in song.
This brings forward the sacrifice of Jesus for us as believers. He loved us enough to die for us. He is both almighty and self-giving.
These word pictures of Jesus are a launching pad for praise and worship.
When I think of those words "the Lord", I could also contemplate other qualities of God - creator, redeemer, healer, provider.
Indeed, the remaining words of Psalm 23:1 speak of the Lord as our shepherd. That itself is enough for more praise.
As Donald S. Whitney says in Praying the Bible, we can use phrases from Bible passages such as the Psalms to trigger praise and requests. The Bible becomes a book of prayer and praise.
Our prayer lives need never run dry.
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