Litany for Good Shepherd Sunday
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
PRAYER ON THE 23RD PSALM
(Congregational response in bold italics)
Many times I try to run my own life. I feel overwhelmed with just the day to day pressures of making ends meet.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
I get so busy and so rushed. I scurry to and fro frantically.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me
beside the still waters.
I get so anxious and uptight about things. It seems at times as if I will go crazy.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness of his name’s sake.
Sometimes things seem to go from bad to worse: local, provincial, national and international news seem only bad, and even my own life is in shambles.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil; for thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff they
comfort me.
The petty gossip and criticism and back-biting around me sometimes seem more than I can bear. It drains my very soul.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil: My cup runneth over.
Sometimes I wonder what the future holds: things are so uncertain these days.
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.