Psalm 23 Prayer

Psalm 23 prayer

In The presence of our enemies

series overview

You’ve probably heard it before. It’s read at funerals, stitched on pillows, and quoted in hard times. Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible—so familiar that we often stop really hearing it. But this ancient poem isn’t just for moments of grief or trouble. It’s a radical declaration of trust, provision, identity, and hope for everyday life. In this two-week series, we’ll slow down and listen again—line by line—to discover a God who walks with us, provides for us, fights for us, and welcomes us. Whether life feels full or fragile, Psalm 23 offers more than comfort. It offers a way to live.

Psalm 23

Week #2

Sermon Summary

In this message, Jodi Hickerson explores Psalm 23:5-6, focusing on how God prepares a table for us “in the presence of our enemies.” The speaker emphasizes that God doesn’t always remove us from difficult circumstances, but instead invites us to meet with Him in the midst of our battles. The message highlights how Satan, the enemy of our souls, tries to gain a seat at our table through lies and deception, but through Jesus, we have victory over these attacks. By filling our minds with God’s truth rather than fighting lies, we can experience the abundant life Christ offers and live with eternal perspective, knowing our present struggles are temporary compared to the glory that awaits us in the kingdom of heaven.

ice breaker

Have you ever played a game or a sport where you lost in a big way because you head was somewhere else? Share the story of what happened and what distracted you.

DISCUSSion

Select 3-4 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.

  1. The Table in the Storm: Read Psalm 23:5. Jodi describes God as preparing a table “in the presence of our enemies” rather than removing us from difficult situations. Can you share about a time when you experienced God’s presence and provision in the middle of a challenging circumstance? How did that change your perspective on the situation?

  2. Recognizing the Enemy’s Lies: Jodi also mentions that Satan’s primary strategy is deception and lies (See John 8:44 for Jesus’ take on this). What are some common lies the enemy tries to tell us about our identity, worth, or circumstances? How can we become better at recognizing these lies when they come up on a day-to-day basis?

  3. Fighting Lies with Truth: Check out Colossians 2:20, and Ephesians 6:12. The sermon provided examples of combating the enemy’s lies with specific Bible verses and truths about our identity in Christ. What truths from the Bible resonate most with you, and why? Which ones have been most helpful in your own spiritual battles?

  4. Living from Overflow: Psalm 23:5 also talks about living with our “cup overflowing” rather than constantly asking others to fill our cup. What does it practically look like to live from a place of spiritual abundance rather than spiritual neediness? How can this affect our relationships and interactions even this week?

  5. Eternal Perspective: Psalm 23:6 concludes the psalm with the promise of heaven and how an eternal perspective can change how we view our current struggles. How does knowing that “this world as it is, is not our forever home” impact the way you handle present difficulties? Reflecting also on Romans 8:18, What helps you maintain this eternal perspective during tough seasons?
 
 
WRAP UP & PRAYER

Pray for one another, keeping some of these requests in mind based on Psalm 23:

  • Surrender and Trust: Pray for those who need to recognize their need for Jesus as their Good Shepherd and are ready to surrender their lives to His leadership and guidance.
  • Victory Over Lies: Pray for strength to resist the enemy’s deception and lies, and for wisdom to fill our minds with God’s truth rather than being defeated by negative thoughts and false beliefs about ourselves.
  • Provision in Difficulty: Pray for those facing challenging circumstances – that they would experience God’s presence and provision “at the table” He has prepared for them in the midst of their battle.
  •  Eternal Perspective: Pray for grace to maintain hope in the future God has planned for us during trials, remembering that present sufferings cannot compare to the glory that awaits us in heaven.
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