The Lord Is My Shepherd: How to Pray Psalm 23 When Life Feels Overwhelming
Feeling overwhelmed and needing the reminder that God is with you? Here’s what “The Lord is my shepherd” really means — verse by verse — and how to pray Psalm 23 over your life.
We all struggle with something. For me, in one season, it was feeling completely overwhelmed — and strangely enough, the scripture God used to meet me there was one I had been avoiding for years.
I used to steer clear of Psalm 23 when reading the Bible.
It wasn’t the actual words of the scripture, but the way it was often used that drew me away from it. Every funeral I had ever been to, including my father’s, contained its words. Just hearing “Psalm 23” would send my thoughts down a path that led to death. So to prevent those morbid thought trails, I avoided this psalm altogether.
Interestingly enough, when God began teaching me to overcome anxiety He took me straight to the Psalms.
As He began renewing my mind through His Word, I began to see this powerful scripture in a new light. It no longer represented death, but trust in the One who had conquered death. This scripture began to teach me the character of God and how He so lovingly provides for His people. In a time when I felt overwhelmed and out of control, this psalm reminded me that the Lord is my Shepherd and He will provide and care for me.
What Does “The Lord Is My Shepherd” Mean?
When David wrote “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1), he was writing from experience — he had been a shepherd himself. A shepherd’s entire job is to make sure the sheep have everything they need: food, water, rest, protection, and direction.
So when we say the Lord is our Shepherd, we’re declaring that God Himself takes personal responsibility for our care. We’re not wandering through life alone, hoping things work out. We have a Shepherd who knows us, watches over us, and provides exactly what we need, when we need it.
The Lord is My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
Psalm 23:1-3
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
How He Shepherds Us
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
When my kids were little I enforced naps. They would argue that they weren’t tired, to which I would respond, “You may not be tired, but you need to rest.” As adults, we also need rest, spiritual and physical. I love that this verse says He makes us to lie down in green pastures. What does this mean? The Lord is so loving and kind to us, He knows that we need rest. He has provided His Word to comfort us, calm us, and give us rest in the midst of a busy, noisy world. His Word is like green pastures that nourish us, feed us, and fill us as we navigate the busyness of life.
He leads me beside quiet waters
In South Louisiana, the summers are hot. Sitting outside for just a few minutes can leave you parched, searching for something cold to cool you off. Many times in life, especially when the heat is on, my spirit and soul begin to thirst. More often times than not, I will begin to drink from old wells. The places that used to bring me refreshment before I met Christ. I’ll watch tv, read a good book, and relax by the pool. None of these things are bad, in fact, they help me to relax. Yet they don’t fully refresh my spirit and soul. When I worship and spend time with Jesus, a full refreshing takes place. He gives me living water that sustains me through the heated moments of life.
He refreshes my soul
Sometimes we just want to give up. Last week was one of those weeks for me. I had a lot of running around to do, but I also had a lot of writing work to get done. Numerous tasks grasped for my attention and I was beginning to feel underproductive and overwhelmed. As I reached out to some friends to share my frustrations, they all said the same thing, “Take a step back.” And so I did. In the chaos of my schedule, I had forgotten my most important appointment–the one with Jesus. There is truly something empowering about inviting Him into our days. I had been relying on my own strength to get things done, rather than spending time asking Him to be my guide. When I laid everything aside and sat in His Presence, even for a short time, my strength was renewed.
He guides me along the right paths
Recently I was stuck in a decision and I wasn’t quite sure what I should do. I went straight to my husband and friends to discuss my options. Not a bad thing, right? There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. (Proverbs 15:22) However, leaving God out of the equation is not wise. Rather than going to Him first, my tendency is to go to Him after I’ve asked everyone else’s advice. I forget that He has all the answers. When I need clear direction, I can seek Him and He always guides me down the right path.
Walking Through the Valley (Psalm 23:4)
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NLT
This is the verse we hear at funerals, the one I used to avoid. But notice something: David doesn’t say if I walk through the darkest valley. He says when. Hard seasons aren’t a sign that God has abandoned us; they’re part of the journey He walks with us.
And that little word “through” changed everything for me. The valley is not where we stay. It’s something we pass through, with a Shepherd beside us the whole way. His rod (protection) and His staff (guidance) mean we are never unguarded and never unled, even on our darkest days.
A Table in the Presence of My Enemies (Psalm 23:5)
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:5 NLT
I love the picture here: God doesn’t always remove the hard things before He blesses us. Sometimes He sets the table right in the middle of them. Anxiety may still be in the room. The diagnosis, the conflict, the bills — they may not have disappeared yet. But God prepares a feast for His children anyway, anoints our heads, and fills our cup until it overflows.
You don’t have to wait for a perfect season to experience God’s goodness. He provides in the presence of your struggle, not just after it.
Goodness and Mercy Will Follow Me (Psalm 23:6)
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 NLT
The psalm that once made me think only of death actually ends with life — God’s goodness and unfailing love pursuing us all the days of our lives, and an eternity at home with Him. That’s not a funeral scripture. That’s a living one.
What are you facing today?
Do you need rest, refreshment, strength, or guidance? God is more than able and willing to provide for your needs. Nothing is too big or too small for Him. What matters to you, matters to Him. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, spend time in His Presence and you will be sure to find the provision you seek.
A Prayer Declaring “The Lord is My Shepherd” from Psalm 23
Father, thank You that You are our Shepherd. You provide everything we need when we need it. Lord, I pray Your abundant favor and mercy over all of us. Make us to lie down in the green pastures of Your Word. Refresh us by the still waters as we spend time in Your Presence. Lord, strengthen us in the hard times. Give us rest and peace in the midst of the busyness of life. Provide everything we need to get through our difficult situations. Guide us as we walk out this life. Give us direction for every decision we make and help us glorify you in all that we do. And Lord, when we walk through dark valleys, remind us that You are with us, that we have nothing to fear because Your rod and staff protect and guide us. Thank you that You are our Source and Provider of everything we need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalm 23 FAQs
Who wrote Psalm 23? David, the shepherd boy who became king of Israel, wrote Psalm 23. He drew on his years of caring for sheep to describe how God cares for His people.
When should I pray Psalm 23? Any time you feel overwhelmed, anxious, weary, or unsure of your next step. It’s also a beautiful psalm to pray over your family at night or to memorize for moments when fear rises up.
What does “I shall not want” mean? It means “I lack nothing.” With the Lord as our Shepherd, every true need — rest, provision, protection, direction — is His responsibility, and He is faithful to provide it.
Want to Go Deeper Into God’s Word?
If Psalm 23 stirred something in you, don’t stop here. Grab my free guide, How to Study the Bible in 3 Easy Steps, and learn a simple way to study scriptures like this one for yourself, no seminary degree required. Or explore our guided Bible study journals designed to help you bring your real struggles to Scripture, one day at a time.
