Psalm 23 

John Chamberlain   -  

May 8, 2022

Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Thank you for this psalm that is full of clear imagery of how You intersect in our lives.  As our shepherd You provide guidance and protection so that we will always know our needs will be met.  Help us to clear away the clutter of wants and desires that are not in your plan.  You promise to restore our souls if we will take the time to slow down and be led by quiet waters.  Can we honestly remember the last time we slowed down enough to marvel at your handiwork around us?  Show us how to take advantage of the opportunities this summer. May our souls be restored by listening to your still small voice in the quiet beauty of your creation.

David also instructs us that even as we go through the tough stuff of life, we can know You are right there with us.  Thank you for the ever present comfort of the Holy Spirit, who brings peace to our lives at times when it just doesn’t seem reasonable.  Help us to rest in the fact You are watching out for us our entire lives.  Also, remind us as your children, our everlasting life with you has already begun. We get to spend the rest of eternity with You!  How great is that?

Father we thank you for the opportunity some of our members had this past week to meet David and Abbie.  We pray that during these times of introduction there would be a good exchange of information about each other.  Through this we pray that you will show us how to be a church that continues to grow in the likeness of Jesus.  We are grateful that during this time of transition you brought Pastor Dan and Beth into our lives.  Pastor Dan’s leadership and guidance through the challenging start of the transition was appreciated by many of us. Beth’s warm and caring spirit was something that touched everyone she came in contact with. They have truly been living examples of what Christ followers should look like.  We have been blessed as a congregation for Your leading them to guide the ministry of Centennial Church.

Also, we thank you for continuing to open doors and leading N and C in their ministry to Southeast Asia. We ask that you would help the boys settle into the new school they will be attending. We also pray that the surgery for C would be scheduled soon so she will be able to recover completely before they need to leave.

Finally Lord, we ask on this Mother’s day you would help us to be grateful for the moms we have been blessed with.  If they are still with us, may we reach out today and share a kind word.  If they no longer are here physically, bring to mind the unconditional love they showed through their years on earth.

We pray all of these things in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

And all God’s people said………Amen.