Prayer for a Hurting WorldSýnishorn

Today, we are praying through what is perhaps the most famous of all the Psalms. Psalm 23 can lead us into prayers of thanksgiving and lament. It acknowledges the pain of suffering, the goodness of God and the hope of eternity. 

May these words lead you to pray honest, perspective-shaping prayers.

Pray:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

God, thank You for taking care of us. For providing for us. For granting us rest. For restoring us each day. Thank You that in You, we have access to peace that surpasses all understanding.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

Lord, our world has walked through many dark valleys in recent days. We have lost so many lives to a global pandemic and other crises in our world. The shadow of evil looms. 

Yet thank you that we need not fear, even when the world around us is scary, because we are always in Your presence and You are with us.

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Thank You for Your comfort and guidance in times of uncertainty. We can walk forward with confidence, knowing that You are by our side. 

We thank You for overflowing abundance—that as we remember to take care of each other, of our local and global neighbours, we have enough.

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.

God, thank You for the hope of eternity. What a gift it is that even right now, we can experience your goodness and love, and that your goodness and love will never end. 

Help us to reflect Your goodness and love to the world around us. We pray that everyone would know the abundant and eternal life that is found in You. 

Amen.

Photo: In Ethiopia, 10-year-old Compassion-sponsored child Kalkidan prays and reads scripture.