One morning as I sat with my Bible, it fell open to the Psalms. Psalm 23 sat “front and center.” I almost turned the page. What more could I learn from those verses? I’d memorized them years before in grade school. I knew their message. But as my eyes traced the familiar words, a new idea took shape.

Turning those familiar phrases into a prayer to my Creator brought them to life in a new way. 1 discovered buried treasure as my spirit soared with a new realization of God’s love.

HE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD* . . . Lord, You are my shepherd, my Savior, my Redeemer. In Your care I shall not be in want. You supply all my needs. I will trust You to take care of me, whatever comes.

You make me to lie down in green pastures. You surround me with blessings. You provide a place to rest, a place of sanctuary. You lead me beside quiet waters. This scene is filled with peace, Lord, no worries or concerns, no tensions or nervousness, just calmness and peace. Somehow, Father, I have lost that calm assurance, the peace that comes only from trusting You. Forgive me, Lord. Have I headed out on my own? Please lead me back to the green pastures and quiet waters that can be found only in the Shepherd’s presence.

You are the restorer of my soul, my spirit. Lord, restore me! Restore the peace-filled assurance in You, the passion of my first encounter with the cross, my desire for Your Word, my longing for time in Your presence.

“The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, tints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12, NIV). Have you experienced the power of the Scriptures? Do you find it living and active in your own life? Is it personal? Often we read Scripture, but it does not touch our souls. My challenge to you, dear reader, is to experience the wonder of personal discovery for yourself. Take your favorite Scripture passage and look at it from a different angle. Prayerfully change your focus and see what treasures the Holy Spirit will reveal to your soul. “As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the Word of God as for hid treasure find truths of the greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker. The words of inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be as streams flowing from the fountain of life” (Steps to Christ, p. 91).

Guide me, Father, in the paths of righteousness. Open my heart, my eyes, my ears to know the sound of Your voice. Help me to discern Your will. I want to follow You. I want You in each and every room of my heart. You are my Lord, my Savior! May all I do and say, and all that I am, bring honor to Your name!

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. But I am afraid, aren’t I? Forgive my lack of faith, Lord. My heart aches for my friend, yet he is in Your hands. If there is any chance that he can be saved, You will find a way. Lord, overwhelm him with Your love. Do whatever it takes to reach that proud and stubborn spirit with the passionate love that created salvation’s plan. You will succeed, Father. Replace my fear with faith!

You are with me. And as long as You are there, there is no need for fear! Your rod and staff, they comfort me. You are a God of might and power. You have ways of battling evil of which I know nothing. In Your presence are safety and security. Evil cannot harm. The devil cannot win. He may circle and howl, but in the presence of the Shepherd there is peace.

Shepherd of my life, You prepare a table before me. You will care for my needs. You have plans for my life, ways for me to serve, and tasks for me to achieve that will challenge and bring a sense of fulfillment and joy. You have a table set before me. I need only to reach out and partake. Lord, what’s on the table? Is my gift there? It takes faith and trust to try something new, but Father, if it’s on the table that You prepared, I’d be foolish not to try! Strengthen my timid heart.

In the presence of my enemies . . . Satan is always there, ready to obstruct, to discourage and disrupt whatever You plan, ready to create fear and despair. Help me to remember that those are his tools, not Yours. Help me to remain at the table. Give me boldness and courage, and confidence in Your power and strength and in Your incredible love.

You anoint my head with oil . . . From You alone, Father, come joy and power, understanding and strength. Anoint my head with the oil of joy and the power of Your Spirit. Use me to reach the heart of another with Your love.

My cup overflows . . . blessings too numerous to count! Love beyond measure, lavish and outrageous! Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Lord, to rest in You, to know my life is in Your hands, provides such comfort. And there is assurance in knowing You will keep me. The choice is mine, but You provide the power to remain.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever . . . to live with my Shepherd, to look into those incredible eyes of love and feel the warmth of that gaze, to feel the embrace of my Savior’s arms and hear His laughter . . . Lord, how wonderful it will be!

With You, the Almighty, all things are possible. Even that which seems insurmountable to me. I need only to believe and trust. Settle me in the green pastures, by the quiet waters, where in the midst of turmoil my soul will find peace and restoration in the Shepherd’s care. Amen.

*Although not always quoted directly, the New International Version is the basis of this prayer.

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Pat Moore, a medical office administrator, writes from her home in Nashville, Tennessee.