Psalm 23

Instructions to guide you in a prayerful practice of silence and solitude meditating on Psalm 23.

Preparation: 

IMPORTANT: Read these instructions in their entirety before you begin; and then, put your device/phone/laptop away where it cannot be a distraction. Read the psalm from a paper Bible, not your phone. Try to make sure you have at least 10 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for this practice. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence and plan for the 10 minutes or more. But most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is ok! Set aside whatever time you think reasonable, and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.

Practice:

For this time of silence, an image will be your anchor. Most of us will find it difficult not to think about all the various Other-Things we could be doing instead during this time. To help keep yourself anchored during your time of silence use a centering prayer. In Psalm 23 David paints for us a picture of being a sheep under the care of a present and purposeful shepherd.  As your mind wanders over the next few moments of stillness and silence—and it most certainly will—try something like this:

                Breath In: “The LORD is…”

                Breath Out: “… MY shepherd…”

Each time your mind wanders or Other-Things creep in, breathe your centering prayer, concentrating on the rhythm of your breathing until your mind is still once again upon the image from Psalm 23. It may take a few breaths to get there!

First, read Psalm 23. Then set a time for 3-5 minutes.

Now, after reading the Psalm, begin your time of silence with three deep breaths—inhale deeply and exhale slowly with your centering prayer. Try to be still “with all your heart, mind, body and soul” (Luke 10:27). As thoughts come, or anxieties rise, or distractions pull you away from being still in the presence of God, simply return your mind’s attention and your heart’s affection to God with the centering prayer above.

When the timer ends, read Psalm 23 once more. Then set a timer for another 3-5 minutes, repeating the breathing and silence from above.

When the timer ends, respond. Whatever thoughts remain, whatever emotions discovered, whatever relieved or given; pray that back to the LORD who is your shepherd.

Reflection:

Don’t make any judgments about what just happened. Don’t “evaluate” the experience or judge yourself. Today, let it be enough to create some space to be still with God, allowing your innermost self to come into view in the safe presence of a shepherd Father who loves and cares for you. Once your time is over, simply thank God for your time with Him and move on to what is next in your day.

That’s it! It really is that simple.

(Now, turn your device off.)