Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.        1 Corinthians 1:3

Effective prayer comes from our relationship with our Heavenly Father. I would encourage you to take some time to examine and as a result strengthen your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

David expressed his special relationship with God as his shepherd in the 23rd Psalm. Psalm 23 has six verses. As we read the psalm we notice how each verse expresses the following:

• Verse 1: Who God is in relation to us-two phrases
• Verse 2: Where He places us-two phrases
• Verse 3: The walk we have with Him-two phrases
• Verse 4: Potential danger and His protection-three phrases
• Verse 5: God's provision for us-three phrases
• Verse 6: Our future in this special relationship with God-two phrases

Using this outline, I wrote my own 23rd Psalm, expressing who God is in my life and how He cares for me. I found this to be a very rewarding exercise that helped me develop a better understanding of my relationship with God. My psalm describes His relationship as my Father.

GOD, MY FATHER

God is my loving Father; He cares and provides for me. He calls me to walk close beside Him; He wants me to know him intimately. He is always with me. He leads me in His ways; Even though I am tempted to walk in the ways of the world, He gives me the grace to follow Him, the power to overcome temptation. I have His Word to direct my steps, His hand to keep me on the path that leads to life, and His Spirit to complete His work in me. I shall know Him fully as He knows me, and I shall be transformed into His likeness. I will abide in His love forever.

I would like to challenge you to use this outline and write your own 23rd Psalm. I pray that you will be blessed and that your relationship with God will be strengthened. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3