I’m taking up a challenge to reflect on the intertwining of Psalm 23 and the so-called “Lord’s Prayer” in my quiet time and journaling. I’ve set a goal for myself to blog about the different aspects that come to mind as I study and pray these texts through the week.

Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
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.
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.
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.

Matthew 6:

9 Our Father in heaven,
 may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
 as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

The verses that jump out to me first are these:
From Psalm 23:3b …bringing honor to his name…
From Matthew 6:9 …may your name be kept holy…

There’s probably nothing more easily misused than God’s Name. I’m not just talking about profanity (besides, I’ve been known to let loose a string of “colorful metaphors” as Spock would say.) I’m referring to the pious suggesting that what they do is for God or Jesus. It makes my skin crawl when I read or hear statements that attribute some fairly bigoted and mean-spirited actions to the leading of the Holy One.

And lest you think I am putting myself on a pedestal, I’m not. Far more often than I want to admit, I am making plans or decisions and then making a loop back around to ask God to bless them. And some times, in spite of my dumb ideas, God does. And other times? Well… yeah.

But God always has a path, if I will just wait and watch. I’m asking God for the patience to watch and wait instead of charging ahead… for God’s Name’s sake.

taken at the Airfield 4-H Center in Virginia, March 2010