Category: peace

We lift our hands

Ruth Kirk

Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer (Lamentations 2:19; NLT).

We lift our hands to you
And pray for peace,
Begging that all our senseless wars
Will cease. 

We lift our minds to you
And pray for light,
Till everyone is precious
In our sight.

We lift our hearts to you,
And pray for love,
So all our foolish hate
Will end for good.

We lift our souls to you,
And pray for grace –
May everyone on earth, Lord,
See your face. 

Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved (Psalm 80:3; NLT).

References 

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:9-12; NIV).

Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people (Titus 2:11; NLT).

Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16; NLT). 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14; NLT).

Let your face smile on us, LORD (Psalm 4:6; NLT). 

Instability (with thanks to E.S.)

Ruth Kirk

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV). 

Lord,
My situation is unstable.
May I accept this gladly,
Giving thanks.

I’m facing the unknown
Without a route-map,
But want to greet my future
Without dread.

You are my Good Shepherd,
And my Teacher;
My way, my truth, my life,
My guide, my peace.

So, Lord, I don’t ask
For this uncertainty to end:
I simply put my trust in you,
Instead.

My future is in your hands (Psalm 31:15; NLT). 

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).

References 

No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future (Ecclesiastes 10:14; NLT). 

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish (Isaiah 46:10; NLT). 

I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29: 1; NLT).

We believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us (Romans 8:23; NLT). 

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future (Ephesians 4:4; NLT). 

If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God (Isaiah 50:10; NLT).

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NLT). 

Oneness

Ruth Kirk

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

Take up your cross,
And walk in Christ’s way.
Give up all selfishness:
Serve him today.

Pray all the time,
And live in God’s love.
Follow Christ’s teaching,
And strive to do good.

Walk in his light,
And share in his pain.
Dwell in his kingdom,
And welcome his reign.

Trust in his words.
Obey his commands.
Rejoice in his Spirit,
And dwell in his hands.

Grow like God’s Son.
Give thanks without cease.
Forgive those who hurt you,
And dwell in his peace.

I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27; NIV).

Waves of darkness

Ruth Kirk

I will bless the LORD who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
(Psalm 16:7; NLT).

Waves of darkness
And of light
Guide us deeper
Into love.

Waves of tenderness
And joy
Draw us closer:
God is good.

Waves of mercy
And of strength:
These, in silent prayer,
Increase.

Waves of unity
And bliss:
Always here –
The Lord is peace.

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

References 

Moses approached the thick darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21; NIV). 

God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

Yahweh is mercy and tenderness (Psalm 111:4; NJB).

How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! (Psalm 116:5; NLT). 

The Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:4; KJV).

Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT). 

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (Romans 8:11; NLT). 

Thou makest me to know the path of life; in Thy presence is fulness of joy, in Thy right hand bliss for evermore (Psalm 16:11; JPS Tanakh 1917). 

Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it! (Genesis 28:16; NLT). 

In prayer

Ruth Kirk

Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to thee I lift up my soul (Psalm 143:8; RSV).

My soul sinks into your heart,
Lord God,
Then rises up
Into your hands.

You take me into your arms,
Lord God:
No anger, reproach,
Or demands.

You draw my soul into yours,
Lord God,
Then eagerly
Make us both one

With your glory, so bright,
Your peace and delight,
Your Spirit, your love,
And your Son.

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one (John 17:22; NLT).

References 

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NLT).

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT). 

The LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs (Zephaniah 3:17; NLT). 

To Jesus

Ruth Kirk


Christ…is the exact likeness of God (2 Corinthians 4:4; NLT). 

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God (Hebrews 1:3; NLT).

You are God’s voice,
His healing touch;
The light and truth
We need so much.

You are God’s image,
Strength, and peace;
His raging fire
That will not cease.

You are God’s Word,
His sacrifice;
His much-loved Son and heir:
The Christ.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God” (Luke 9:20; NKJV).

References 

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15; NLT). 

He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13; NIV). 

God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin (Romans 3:25; NLT).

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7; NLT).

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe (Hebrews 1:1-2; NIV). 

We are God’s love

Ruth Kirk
castleguard: Pixabay; modified R.K.

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

We are God’s love,
His hands, his feet –
Here, in the world,
For all we meet.

We are God’s pity
And tenderness;
We are his touch,
To heal and bless.

We are God’s mercy,
Light, and peace –
Yet, though we die,
He will not cease.

Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
(Psalm 103:15; NLT).

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
(Psalm 90:2; NIV).

References 

Yahweh is tenderness and pity (Psalm 103:8; NJB).

Yahweh is mercy (Psalm 111:4; NJB).

God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth (Isaiah 40:28; NLT).

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14; NLT). 

6.2.24: What to ask? (for J.Y.)

Ruth Kirk
The narrow gate: Ruth Kirk.

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us.
(Romans 8:26; NLT).

Lord,
We don’t know what we ought to ask –
Help us to pray that peace will flood
Every heart and mind;
Every living soul:
For spreading your peace
Is our sacred role.

Lord,
We don’t know what we ought to say –
Help us to beg that love will heal
Every heart and mind;
Every wounded soul:
May spreading your love
Be our chosen goal.

Lord,
May your heavenly kingdom come,
And, on the earth, your will be done;
No more hate, or death;
No more tears, or pain:
Then, all you made
Will be “good”, again. 

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! (Genesis 1:31; NLT).

References 

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; NIV). 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4; NLT).

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other (Psalm 85:10; NIV).

2.2.24: Peace and plenty

Ruth Kirk
Alexas_Fotos: Pixabay.

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it (Psalm 34:14; NLT). 

I pray for peace
And plenty, Lord,
For all to share
Throughout the earth;

For love, and joy,
And faithfulness:
A place where everyone
Has worth.

I pray for care
And kindness, Lord,
Compassion,
And equality;

Forgiveness, mercy,
Self-control –
And then, at last,
All will be free.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed (Isaiah 61:1; NLT).

References 

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

31.1.24: What will I need? (for J.Y.)

Ruth Kirk
Tymco: Pixabay; modified by RK.

He told them: “Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt” (Luke 9:3; NIV). 

What will I need for my journey, Lord God?
What should I ask for, and pack?
Just take my love and my kindness, dear child,
For then you will never look back. 

What will I need for my lifetime, Lord God?
What should I carry along?
Just take my courage and wisdom, dear child,
For then you will never go wrong. 

What will I need when I’m dying, Lord God?
How shall I face the dark vale?
Just take my peace and my patience, dear child:
My Spirit will not let you fail.

What will I need back in heaven, Lord God,
When my long testing is done?
Only my grace and forgiveness, dear child,
My healing, my kiss, and my Son.

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered (Luke 22:35; NIV).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT).

References 

Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness] (Genesis 1:28; AMP).

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart (Job 1:21; NIV).

The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:3; NLT).