21 Days of Prayer
Key Verse:
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:5-6
Prompt:
This week's focus: Grow in Grace
What a picture! Feasting among our enemies at a dining table set to feed our bodies and prepared by the One who feeds our soul. In His presence we have everything we need – and more. Our cup spills over! Today, thank Him for the moments when sitting in His presence is all the grace you need to be sustained.
More:
Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
Have you ever said or felt any of these phrases?
- "My heart feels like it’s melting."
- "My bones are disjointed."
- "I feel empty."
- "My tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth."
- "I feel like I’m surrounded."
- "I feel like I’ve been abandoned."
If you’ve ever felt any of these during a valley in your life, you’re not alone. You’re right there with David in Psalm 22. David was at a moment in his life when he felt utterly desolate, overwhelmed, and without answers for the emotions he was experiencing. Have you been there? I know I have. Maybe the exact words weren’t the same, but the sentiment certainly was. And let’s be honest - it’s not a fun place to be.
David felt alone. But in verse 4, something powerful happens: David looks back. He remembers his ancestors and how God provided for them in their times of need. This act of remembering pulls him out of the pit he’s in and redirects his focus to God’s character. That’s why sharing our stories and testimonies is so important. When others hear how God has worked in our lives, it can provide the encouragement or affirmation they desperately need in their own moments of hurt or confusion.
Personally, I’ve found that I’m always more confident when I’ve seen someone else accomplish what I’m trying to do. Whether it was practicing a play on the football field, or these days, pulling up a YouTube video to fix something; witnessing someone else’s success gives me the courage to press on.
Psalm 23 feels like the cherry on top of these two chapters. Here, David boldly declares, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need,” and “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me.” I encourage you to read this passage in its entirety. Or, if you were scared often as a kid, like me, maybe it’s a chapter you’ve already memorized.
When we feel beat down, discouraged, or scared, we are not alone. God is with us. David struggled. David doubted. David was afraid. I’ve been there, too. But the truth is, our God is a good Shepherd who cares for us more than we could ever imagine. And I think Psalm 23 wraps up this thought more beautifully than I could ever express: “Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.”
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
- Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.