Psalm 23

There was a time several years back that I met with a group of women once a week to write prayers.  We were guided much of that time by a book by Rachel G. Hackenberg called Writing to God: 40 Days of Praying with my Pen. I highly recommend the book, along with the discipline of writing prayers, if you're so inclined.  Ms. Hackenberg's book is designed for use during Lent, although we stretched it out over a much longer period of time.  Staying home during the COVID-19 outbreak has left me a bit barren in the spiritual realm, so I looked up today's writing prompt in the book. Hmmm. The Holy Spirit had a surprise for me - today is the 23rd day of Lent 2020, and the title for that day in Writing to God is "Experiencing Psalm 23".  How perfect is that for the times we're living through!

This has to be one of the most reassuring passages in all of scripture.  By inference, the author must have known times of fear and despair; times when the only thing to do was cast his cares upon God.  No one chooses to go into the desert; it is thrust upon us by circumstance.  I know my first reaction is to see if there is a way to avoid the pain.  But life has taught me that the only way to arrive at a place of peace is to go through it.  Psalm 23 promises us company and providence. I needed this today, as I had trouble falling asleep last night with worrying tapes playing over and over in my head.  What if I was exposed to the corona virus before I stopped going out?  If I get it, will I be one of the complicated cases? Would there be an ICU bed if I needed it? What if I lose people I love to this pandemic?

If you're bored with your usual distractions, why not try writing a prayer?  There's no wrong way to do it.  There are as many prayers as there are believers.  Quoting Ms. Hackenberg in today's prompt: "...we cannot always see God's goodness through the shadows.  In your written prayer, do not be afraid to be fully honest with God about a source of pain or despair."  This is one of the beauties of writing prayers: it's just between you and God.  When I was young and naive, I was afraid that God would be offended if I was angry/scared/clumsy/sad in my prayers.  What a typical novice mistake!  Prayer wasn't about me trying to be perfect before God.  Prayer, according to my priest, is a gift God gives to us. Not the reverse.  It is an invitation into relationship. Honest relationship. God is big enough to hear anything we might have to say.  He will still show up with anointing oil.

Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 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.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 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.