I Shall Not Want

A reading based on Psalm 23 that focuses on contentment.

Begin your worship time asking your group to make a list of the things they have in their lives because of God, i.e. peace, joy, sense of security, etc. After you have given them a couple of minutes to do that, ask them to share one of the things they wrote down. Have someone in your group read Psalm 23 and follow that up with the, I shall not want, reading. Highlight different lines and paragraphs so that you have several (four or five) readers. Make sure everyone has a reading. Conclude by having each person pray one of the following lines, which coincides with the last three lines of the reading.

"Lord, you are my shepherd and I have everything I need."
"Lord, you are my shepherd, and I trust you completely."
"Lord, you are my shepherd, and I shall not want."

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
more money, bigger houses, a better job, or greater applause.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
a new spouse, healthier kids, superior knowledge.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
more talents, more food, more clothes.

Yes, the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

And because the Lord is my shepherd, I am content with knowing that I have a God who hears my every plea for mercy, my every hope for heaven and my ever present need for peace.

The Lord is my shepherd and so I know that I am covered with a mantle of love and a robe of righteousness. I don't have to work at pleasing Him; He is pleased with me because I am His child. I don't have to do good to earn a place in His Kingdom, He has given it freely.

The Lord is my shepherd and so I know that I have the Holy Spirit's guidance to lead me safely and gently along the journey. I have the power to do all that He asks of me. He is the God of the impossible and He has taken up residence in my heart.

The Lord is my shepherd … and He is the creator of star-filled galaxies, mountains that tickle angel's toes, and the human heart that baffles the greatest among us.

The Lord is my shepherd … and my shield and strong tower, my protector, my king, my savior, my redeemer, and my hope.

The Lord is my shepherd, I trust Him completely.

The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

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