Psalm 23 is one of the most comforting and soul-settling passages in the Bible. It invites you into the tender care of God as your Shepherd, someone who knows you personally, leads you faithfully and provides for you fully. Today, let’s begin with just the first verse:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” (Psalm 23:1, NLT)

Take a deep breath and let those words sink in.

The Lord is your shepherd. Not just a shepherd for the whole world—though that’s true—but yours. He knows your heart, your questions, and your fears. Shepherds don’t lead from afar; they stay near, providing protection, correction, and care.

John 10:14 NASB1995 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,

You have all that you need. I know how hard it can be to believe that sometimes. Maybe you’re in a season of uncertainty or waiting, where it feels like God’s provision isn’t enough. But His Word reminds us He always gives what is good. His care doesn’t mean you’ll never have wants or challenges—it means you’re never without His presence, peace, or guidance.

Psalms 143:8 NASB1995 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.

Dallas Willard said, “The Lord is my shepherd—that is relationship. I shall not want—that is provision.” Let that sink in. God’s shepherding care meets your needs—not just material needs, but your need for comfort, clarity, and connection with Him.

Notice that Psalm 23 doesn’t say you must find the right path. It says that the Lord your Shepherd leads you, guides you, and refreshes you, even making you lie down to rest in good places.

For someone like me—a recovering perfectionist with some chronic health challenges—this truth is life-giving. God’s guidance is personal and kind, freeing me from the pressure to control every outcome.

Isaiah 30:21 NASB1995 Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Take a moment to pause and ask Him:

• Lord, where am I putting too much pressure on myself?
• How can I trust You with this decision instead of trying to control it?
• Show me how You’ve guided me before, so I can see Your faithfulness now.

Breathe deeply and intentionally as you pray either (or both) of the breath prayers below.

The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need.

The Lord my shepherd, leads me in right paths.

Repeat them slowly, letting their truth settle you. Picture God gently guiding you—not to make you prove anything, but to invite you into His peace and provision.

With each breath, release the stress of trying to control the outcome. Let your questions rise—they’re starting points for deeper conversations with God.

As you move through your day, keep this breath prayer close. Each breath is a reminder: God sees you, knows you, and cares for you. You are His. And because He is your Shepherd, you truly have all that you need.

Tomorrow, let’s discover together how the Lord, our Shepherd, also brings peace that calms our hearts and relieves anxiety.

Maybe you’re facing challenges that seem impossible, decisions that feel overwhelming, or the relentless pace of your day-to-day life is wearing you down. When the weight feels too much, it’s easy to believe you need to keep pushing through—relying on your own strength and effort to make it work. But what if you don’t have to?

Breath prayer offers a simple way to turn toward God in those moments, connecting your breath, your body, and your spirit with His presence. At its core, breath prayer is about simplicity. It’s not about the length or eloquence of your prayer—it’s about opening your heart to God in honest dependence.

Mark 10:46-52 NASB1995 Then they *came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they *called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

One of the most well-known breath prayers comes from Mark 10, where we find the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man crying out to Jesus as He passes by. His words are both desperate and faith-filled:

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47)

In his desperation, Bartimaeus captures something profound. He doesn’t offer a long, polished prayer. He simply cries out for mercy from the One he knows can save him. And Jesus heals his sight.

This prayer has often been called “The Jesus Prayer” or “the prayer of the heart” and dates all the way back to the 3rd or 4th centuries.

These words distill the cry of our hearts, even when we don’t have the breath—or the energy—for anything more.

Psalms 86:5 NASB1995 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

Wherever you feel stretched thin, overwhelmed, or like you’ve reached your limit, God’s strength can meet you there. His mercy fills the gaps when your abilities or resources end, but your needs keep going. When you feel like you don’t have enough…or like you’re not enough…He is more than enough.

Take a moment to consider:

• Where am I trying to rely on my own abilities?
• What weight am I carrying that I need to hand over to God?
• How can I rest in His mercy and strength today?

Hebrews 4:16 NASB1995 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

As you breathe, picture yourself calling on Him with the most pressing needs in your life. Whisper this prayer or speak it silently in your heart as you breathe:

Jesus, mercy.

As you pray, imagine God meeting you with mercy and strength in each breath, filling the places where you feel empty or overwhelmed.

You don’t have to figure it all out.

You don’t have to navigate things alone.

Partner this prayer with your breath for a few exhales, or as long as you need. His grace is sufficient, His mercy is endless, and His strength will carry you through.

Now it’s time to experience how God leads you when you’re overwhelmed or not sure which way to go. That’s where we’re going next.

I had asthma when I was young, and one of my sons is navigating a similar journey. When it’s hard to breathe, we’re taught to breathe deeper. To slow each inhale and further extend the exhale with intentional breaths, often inhaling medication at the same time. I’ve heard similar breathing techniques to calm anxiety, which is why the concept of breath prayer felt natural to me when I first came across it.

It combines the rhythm of your breathing with short intentional prayers, helping you connect with God with your whole self. This practice is wonderfully simple: you repeat two short phrases, one with each inhale and exhale, allowing your prayer to become as natural as breathing.

I’ve come to treasure the way these prayers slow my heart, focus my attention, and remind me of God’s constant presence. So on each day of this plan, I’ll share a new breath prayer with you.

Genesis 2:7 NASB1995 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Job 33:4 NASB1995 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Psalms 33:6 NASB1995 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB1995 pray without ceasing;

Breath itself is beautifully tied to God. In Genesis, we see God speak the world into existence. Speech, after all, is breath and sound put together. Then, God forms humanity from the dust of the earth, His own exhale giving us life. Let every inhale and exhale remind you of your dependence on Him.

Even God’s name, Yahweh, connects to breath. Many theologians note how our inhaling and exhaling seem to echo the syllables of His name—Yah (inhale) and Weh (exhale).

Breathing is both a reminder to pray without ceasing and also a simple practice of it whenever you notice your breath whispering God’s name. What better way to calm our hearts than to quiet ourselves and breathe, letting our souls align with the God who gave us life?

As you go through your day today, I invite you to practice mindful breathing.

You don’t need elaborate words or perfect focus. Pause for a moment and notice your breath. This seemingly small act—drawing air in and out—is because God has given you life.

As you breathe, reflect on the truth that you are calling on God with each inhale and exhale.

Whisper His name out loud or say it internally as you breathe:

Yahweh.

If words feel too much, just focus on your breathing, knowing that even the rhythm of your breath calls out to Him.

Do this a few times, letting each breath grow slower and deeper. Let this simple one-word prayer remind you of God’s closeness. With each inhale, invite Him closer. With each exhale, release your burdens into His care.

God is near, as close as your next breath, delighting in your presence and your desire to connect with Him.

Tomorrow we’ll explore how His mercy meets us in our greatest needs, and in the most tender ways.