“Come!” Jesus says to us. “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Are we listening? Really listening to our Lord with our hearts?
“I am the good shepherd,” Jesus assures us. “I know my sheep and my sheep know me… My sheep listen to my voice. I call them by name and lead them. They follow me because they know my voice… I am the good shepherd. I lay down my life for my sheep” (John 10:14, 3-4, 11, slight paraphrasing of NIV84).
Oh, the blessings of having Jesus as our Good Shepherd!
Healing Pictures and Meditations on Psalm 23
Come! Let’s gather beside Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Let’s open the eyes of our heart by praying Psalm 23 in special pictures and fresh words. Join me now in a special meditation as we follow Jesus on the eleven steps of the Psalm 23 journey. Let the healing images of our Good Shepherd in this beloved Psalm wash away any painful memories from your past or any stressful scenarios you might find yourself in today. (Ephesians 5:26 says that the word of God is designed to wash our minds.)
To help you meditate on Psalm 23 I will lead you through it verse-by-verse and step-by-step with a picture and a paraphrase of each part of the Psalm to help you pray it from your heart to “the Shepherd of your soul” (1 Peter 2:25).
Probably one of the Psalm 23 scenes especially describes where you are at in your personal journey with Jesus today. After you go through the meditation once go back and linger on that particular scene that you relate to: see yourself in the picture, meditate on the verse, and let my prayer for that verse guide you to reflect and talk to the Good Shepherd about the details of your life situation today.
A Psalm 23 Experience for Small Groups or Retreats
Worship
“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the desire of my heart always.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
What do you especially admire or appreciate about Jesus today?
Trust
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” (Psalm 23:2)
Jesus, you woo me to be still and rest in your loving care.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
What concern do you need to entrust to Jesus today?
Acceptance
“He leads me beside still waters.” (Psalm 23:2)
Jesus, your Spirit is Living Water for my thirsty soul.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
What desires do you need to set aside in order to thirst for Jesus alone?
Confession
“He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:3)
Jesus, when I am struggling you lift me up and hold me close.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
What sin or struggle do you need to confess to Jesus today?
Guidance
“He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3)
Jesus, you know the right path for me — I follow you.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
How do you need Jesus to guide you today?
Perseverance
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Jesus, you are with me loving and teaching me in my dark trials.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
What is the trial that you need Jesus to help you with today?
Training
“Your rod and your staff comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Jesus, your loving words train me to obey you always.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
What type of training do you need to do with Jesus?
Forgiveness
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5).
Jesus, I share your forgiveness so I am at peace when enemies are near.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
Who do you need Jesus to help you forgive so you can be at peace?
Ministry
“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)
Jesus, I rejoice that you bless me to be a blessing to others!
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
What ministry might Jesus want to anoint you to do?
Maturity
“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6)
Jesus, you live in me and through me so I can be a leader for you.
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
How are you doing with relying on Jesus in your leadership of others?
Oneness
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!” (Psalm 23:6)
Jesus, you hold me in your love always!
Enter into the picture, verse, and prayer. What do you feel?
What would it look like for you to experience more intimacy with Jesus?
Sharing “Psalm 23 Pictures to Pray” with Others
For many years I have meditated and prayed on Psalm 23. Often in the mornings I sing Psalm 23 to a tune that I’ve made up — what joy it brings to my soul to sing to the Lord Jesus Christ as my Good Shepherd! And what joy it gives me to share this Psalm 23 experience with you.
We’re happy for you to use “Psalm 23 Pictures to Pray” for your small group, spiritual direction clients, or retreat you’re leading. We’ve loaded the Psalm 23 pictures, verses, and prayers into a PDF that you can easily print out and cut into eleven Visio Divina Cards for guided meditation and sharing: “Psalm 23 Pictures to Pray PDF.” (Tax-deductible donations to Soul Shepherding are appreciated!)
Contact us if we can assist the Good Shepherd by providing a Psalm 23 themed retreat for you or your church group.
We have many other Psalm 23 resources to help you exclaim of the Lord, “He restores my soul!” (Psalm 23:3).
