DAY 15 | The LORD My Shepherd

Adonai Ro’i (The LORD My Shepherd). I am never in need.
Psalm 23:1

Pronunciation Reference: יְהוָה רֹעִי

photography by Andrea Lightfoot / calligraphy by Rita Ip

MUSIC

PRAYER

The Shepherd of my soul, I praise You. You are the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. You know me personally, and You carry me close to Your heart.

Thank You for gently leading me to nourishing pastures and refreshing waters. You restore and revive my life. Thank You for revealing my weakness and Your strength as we go through the valleys. Thank You for lifting me amid my enemies.

Forgive me when I neglect Your loving voice and go astray.

Tune my heart to recognize Your voice as You recognize mine, so I may keep walking on the right path.

Because You are my Shepherd, I declare I will have everything I need. I will follow You wholeheartedly, and I know Your unfailing love will pursue me.

A few facts…

Adonai Ro'i (יְהוָה רֹעִי) is commonly rendered in English as "the LORD (is) my shepherd".
Ro'i (רֹעִי) means "shepherd" or "guardian“, derived from the verb ra'ah (רָעָה), which signifies "to feed," "to tend," or "to shepherd." This term is frequently used in the Bible to describe the work of shepherds, including feeding, protecting, and guiding the flock.
There's a notion that the extended meaning of ra'ah is rea' (רֵעַ), signifying "friend" or "companion." Consequently, some English translations render Adonai Ro'i as "my best friend and my shepherd."

SMILE & BREATHE

In a quiet place, sit comfortably and undisturbed. Gently rotate and relax your shoulders and neck.

Smile, for the shepherd of your soul is watching over you with care.

Inhale through your nose, imagining the gentle shepherd cradling a meek lamb in His arms.

Hold your breath for a few seconds, deeply thankful, for you are that lamb in His embrace, receiving love and protection.

Exhale slowly through your mouth, taking longer than the inhale, releasing to Him any feelings of being lost, unloved, unaccepted, or unwelcome.

Repeat this as needed to ease into a state of relaxation.

Exercise 1:

TWO-WAY JOURNALING

Today, we are going to write to The LORD Your Shepherd. You may write it any way you want, or just as the Holy Spirit leads you. If you haven’t tried this before, I strongly suggest writing your personalized version of Psalm 23. Simply paraphrase the 6 verses in your own words and try to include your own life experiences. This is one of my favorite journal experiences of all time. Enjoy your writing but don’t forget to listen to His response and document it in your journal.

[Part 1]
Dear LORD, My Shepherd, …
[Part 2]
My child / My sheep / (your name), …

• Is there anyone in your life who is really like a shepherd to you? Write to God about him/her.

• Have you ever wandered away from Him before? How did that happen and how did He bring you back? Recount to Him your story.

• Ask Him how He wants you to shepherd someone or a group.

• Have you been hurt or offended by teachers, leaders, pastors, or authority figures in your life? You may process the experience with God.
Check out Appendix 2 for more.

Exercise 2:

DECLARATION

As you may have already noticed, Psalm 23 serves as the foundation and a prime example of what we have been doing here. It is a declaration of faith that is based on who God is.

He is The LORD Your Shepherd. So, how does this apply to your present circumstances? Write your own declaration, and make it applicable to your current situation.

Because You are The LORD My Shepherd, I declare I can / I will / I am…

Speak your declaration aloud to both yourself and your Shepherd. Let faith arise within you, and read it with unwavering conviction a few more times. "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours," as Jesus said in Mark 11:24. Your declaration will transform into your new normal, your new reality.

This marks the end of Day 15 of HE. I am grateful to our Shepherd for leading you towards Himself, and we are now halfway through our journey! Today, I pray that He will reveal His shepherd's heart to you and work through you to touch the lives of others.