Friday, October 31st

Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever throughout all my days in the house and in the presence of the Lord. Psalm 23:6 

David ends his beautiful poem with sure and steady hope: “Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me…”

This isn’t wishful thinking but rather a declaration of confidence in the unchanging character of God. His goodness doesn't fade. His mercy doesn't run out. His love doesn't give up. Not just in our best moments, but all the days of our lives.

We are in a struggle as we pray for the defeat of the abortion amendment and stand for the sanctity of every human life. Again, we are reminded that we are not alone as we move forward. God’s mercy and love surround us. 

Best of all? We dwell with our Gentle Shepherd. God's presence is not just a place we visit at church or in our quiet time. His presence is our truest home and our forever refuge. 

Take heart. Whether the path is steep or the valley long, God’s goodness follows you, His life is within you, and your forever is secure. What a Savior! 

Good Shepherd, thank You for the promise that Your goodness, mercy, and unfailing love follow me all my days. Even when the way is hard and the obstacles seem insurmountable, You are faithful. You surround me with grace and lead me with gentleness.

As we pray for the defeat of the abortion amendment, we ask that Your mercy would not only follow us but flow through us. Help us to speak truth with love, to stand firm with humility, and to engage in this struggle with hearts anchored in eternity. 

Thank You that our dwelling place is with You, both now and forever. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

He refreshes and restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.  Psalms 23:3

The Hebrew word for “restores” also means “to return to its rightful owner.” What a sacred truth: our souls belong to God. He is our rightful Shepherd, the One who created us, claims us, and lovingly restores what’s been broken or lost within us.

Before God leads us into bold action, He begins with restoration. Righteousness starts in the soul, not in striving. A soul ruled by anxiety, pride, or despair cannot carry the weight of God’s purposes. A soul that is healed and strengthened by the Shepherd is ready to walk His path, humbly and courageously.

Invite the Shepherd to restore your soul and lead you in His righteous path–not just for your sake, but for the sake of His name and His Kingdom purposes.

As we pray for the defeat of the abortion amendment, we remember: every life belongs to God. And every heart needs His restoration.

We ask not only for laws to change, but for souls to return to their rightful Shepherd. For hearts to be restored. For righteousness to rise not just in the public square, but in the inner lives of individuals and families in our community and across our nation.

Prayer:
Restoring Shepherd, thank You for Your mercy that brings our wandering souls back home. Restore what is weary or distracted within us. Lead us in Your righteousness not for our recognition but for the glory of Your Name.

Today we ask You to do that same restoring work across our state and our nation. We pray for the defeat of the abortion amendment, not only as a political outcome, but as a spiritual turning. We ask that out of Your kindness, You would draw us to repentance and awaken our hearts to the sacredness of life. Oh Lord, renew Virginia that we would become a place where life is honored, protected and celebrated. Let souls be restored. Let righteousness rise. Let Your glory be known. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Nourishment. Safety. Rest. Stillness. These are the intentional gifts of our Good Shepherd. In a season of focused prayer, as we boldly ask the Lord to move in this election, God invites us to rest.

Green pastures speak of provision. Not just barely enough, but abundance. Still waters speak of peace. Not the absence of struggle, but the presence of calm. These are not places we find on our own but places where the Shepherd leads us.

As we ask the Lord to defend the vulnerable and defeat all that would harm them, we remember that intercession does not come from a place of striving but from a place of surrender. Surrender to the good gifts of our Gentle Shepherd. 

Let today be a holy pause. And let His abundance and peace be the place from which your prayers arise.

Prayer:
Father, You are our Good Shepherd, our provider, our guide, our defender. You are near. Quiet our anxious thoughts. Settle our striving hearts. Let Your abundance and peace be the ground we stand on as we pray. Peace not rooted in outcomes, but in Your unchanging presence. 

Lord, we ask You to move powerfully in this election. To protect life. To open eyes. To bring clarity where there is confusion and truth where there is deception. As we wait and watch and pray, help us to rest in Your sufficiency.

Let Your green pastures and quiet waters refresh us and remind us that You are both our Provider and our Protector. We trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalm 23 opens with a declaration that is both intimate and powerful: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” The Lord is not a distant deity or abstract force but He is my Shepherd. A Shepherd who sees me, knows me, and walks with me.

The image David paints is deeply personal. Shepherds live among their sheep. They guide with gentleness, guard with strength, and provide with consistency. In the same way, God attends to our every need with unfailing love and care.

In a world marked by uncertainty, division, fear, and chaos, this truth grounds us: we lack nothing in Him.

This doesn't mean we always get what we want or avoid hardship. But it does mean that in the presence of our Shepherd, we are never abandoned, forgotten, or without hope. His provision satisfies us. His guidance leads us. His protection surrounds us.

As we enter into this season of 40 Days of Prayer for Life, standing for the protection of unborn children, women, and families in Virginia, this verse reminds us that we aren’t alone.

We don’t approach this struggle from a place of scarcity, panic, or fear but from the fullness of God’s presence. He is our Shepherd. He will provide the words to pray, the strength to stand, the wisdom to speak, and the courage to love well. 

In Him, we lack nothing.

Prayer
Father, we praise You and thank You for being our Good Shepherd. We confess that far too often we try to meet our own needs. We strive instead of staying close to You. Forgive us, Lord. Thank You for Your mercy and unending grace.

As we come before You, asking You to protect the lives of children, women, and families in Virginia, we do so with humility and open hands. We trust You alone for sustenance, guidance, and protection.

Lord, remind us that we are not called only to stand against the darkness of abortion, but to stand for the light of life. May our advocacy reflect not just what we oppose, but what we believe: that every life is created in Your image and worthy of love and protection.

Gentle Shepherd, draw us close and keep us near Your heart so we might hear Your voice. Help us to be a people marked by mercy, truth, compassion, generosity and unwavering hope. In the powerful name of Jesus, amen.

40 Days of Prayer for Life was born out of a deep desire within our community to seek the Lord and to stand for life. Even as we pray with urgency and conviction, we do so humbly, knowing that God’s thoughts and purposes are far higher than ours. We look to Him confidently, expectantly, trusting His Word, that promises that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. To Him be the glory—now and forever!

From Friday, September 26th to Tuesday, November 4th, we invite you to join us in intentional, daily prayer as we seek the Lord and ask Him to defeat Virginia’s Abortion Amendment. 

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Each Friday, you will receive a reflection on Psalm 23 and a prayer prompt in your inbox. It’s a simple invitation to pause, reflect, and carry God’s truth with you throughout the week. Devotions and prayer prompts will also be posted on this webpage.

Thank you for walking this journey with us.

Introduction

Each of us has a purpose and it is both simple and profound: to know God and to be known by Him. No matter our age, stage of life, or personal journey, our calling remains the same: to be messengers of God’s redeeming love.

With that in mind, we come together in prayer, united by one desire—to draw closer to the heart of God. And as we do, may we grow into faithful ambassadors who love deeply, serve humbly, and carry the Good News into a broken and hurting world.

We don’t do this alone. The Good Shepherd is with us–guiding our steps, restoring our souls, and leading us forward with unfailing hope. With our hand firmly grasped by His, let’s begin.