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.