Somebody's Prayin'

"Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then can condemn? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also praying for us!" (Romans 8:33-34, TNIV).

What a thought! Jesus Himself is even now at God's right hand in heaven praying for YOU. Therefore, no weapon formed against you can prosper. No one who rises up to condemn you can succeed. No accuser can stand — for Jesus has got you covered!

One of my favorite songs by Ricky Skaggs is Somebody's Prayin' — here are the lyrics. May today for you be filled with the overwhelming sense of the Lord's personal care for you life!

"Somebody's prayin, I can feel it. Somebody's prayin' for me. Mighty hands are guiding me to protect me from what I can't see. Lord I believe, Lord I believe that somebody's prayin', for me.

"Angels are watchin', I can feel it. Angels are watchin' over me. There's many miles ahead 'til I get home, still I'm safely kept before your throne, 'Cause Lord I believe, Lord I believe Your angels are watchin' over me.

"Well, I've walked through barren wilderness When my pillow was a stone, and I've been through the darkest caverns Where no light had ever shown. Still I went on 'cause there was someone Who was down on their knees. And Lord, I thank you for those people prayin' all this time for me.

"Somebody's prayin', I can feel it Somebody's prayin' for me. Mighty hands are guiding me to protect me from what I can't see. Lord I believe; Lord I believe — Somebody's prayin' for me..."

Are you prayin' for somebody? It would mean more than you can imagine if you would let them know it.

The Lord is My Shepherd

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1).

Jesus is Lord and King, Conqueror, Savior, the Mighty God, Prince of Peace, the Christ, Emmanuel, Teacher, Prophet and Master. Of the many titles given to the Lord, Shepherd must undoubtedly be one of His favorite. It links Him in the most personal way to those He loves.

Say it out loud and let the truth settle deep in your heart: "The Lord is my Shepherd."

Isaiah prophesied, "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11).
Peter preached, "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Pet 2:25).

David, himself a shepherd, penned the Twenty-third Psalm as a comprehensive tribute to the Lord. He encompasses in this short poem at least fifteen provisions that are made for us when we follow the Lord as our Shepherd.

1. Rest - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
2. Peace - He leadeth me beside the still waters
3. Restoration - He restoreth my soul
4. Guidance - He leadeth me in paths of righteousness
5. Honor - for His name's sake
6. Hope - I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
7. Courage - I will fear no evil
8. Companionship - Thou art with me
9. Comfort - Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me
10. Sustenance - Thou preparest a table before me
11. Vindication - in the presence of my enemies
12. Blessing - Thou anointest my head with oil
13. Fullness - My cup runneth over
14. Abundant Life- goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life
15. Eternal Security - I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

As you can see, there is nothing left out. No wonder David said, "I shall not want!" The Lord gives us everything we need when we follow Him as our Shepherd.

"And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with His blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to Him. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20, 21).