Month: July 2015

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

But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content (Psalm 131:2; NIV).

Lord,
I’m feeling ill.

If I can’t serve you today,
Please help me to pray for others.

And if I can’t pray for others,
Please help me to seek you in contemplation.

And if I can’t seek you in contemplation,
Please help me to rest quietly in your arms,
Like a little child.

Through Jesus’ name,
Amen.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

Lord,
In contemplation
There is no I,
Or You,
But only unity,
And timelessness,
And wordless love.

Instead, we will speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom’ (Isaiah 49:9; NLT).

In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free (Psalm 118:5; NLT).

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NLT).
Lord,
You teach, guide,
And inspire me.

You give me courage
To speak the truth with love.

You set me free from fear,
And give me life to the full.

Thank you for your healing,
And your love.

Through Jesus’ name,
Amen.

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door, and pray to your Father in private (Matthew 6:6; NLT).

…I have calmed and quieted myself (Psalm 131:2; NLT).

Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7; NIV).

If only you would listen to his voice today! (Psalm 95:7; NLT).

…the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; KJV).

Lord,
I’m alone, at last.

I have closed my door,
Then calmed and quieted myself
Before you.

Silent and still,
I wait patiently,
Listening for your voice
Within my soul.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD, for he is coming! (Psalm 96:11-13; NLT).

I love you, LORD (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1; NLT).

All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name (Psalm 86:9; NLT).

Lord of the cornfields,
Lord of woods
And hills –
I love you.

Lord of the mountains,
Lord of moors
And streams –
I worship you.

Lord of the islands,
Lord of seas
And skies –
I bless you.

Lord of creation,
Lord of life
And death –
I praise your holy name.

Amen.

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

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).

God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

The LORD is near (Philippians 4:5; NIV).

I am yours (Psalm 119:94; NLT).

Lord, you are mine! (Psalm 119:57; NLT).

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT).

For he loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

Lord,
You are light,
And fire,
And love –
And you are near.

I am yours,
And you are mine –
So I have everything
I need.

Thank you
For your unfailing love.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

And I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him (Romans 15:13; NLT).

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7; NLT).

Lord,
I trust in you.

When I’m depressed,
May I find healing in you –
The source of all joy.

When I’m anxious,
May I find healing in you –
The source of all peace.

And when I lose my faith,
May I find healing in you –
The source of all hope.

Through Jesus’ name,
Amen.

I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom’, and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light’ (Isaiah 49:9; NLT).

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17; NLT).

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NLT).

Lord,
If I am to walk
In your freedom
And your light,
I need to be able
To speak the truth with love
To others.

If fear stops me from doing this,
Then I’m not free at all.

May your Holy Spirit
Give me courage
And kindness
In equal measure,
So I can speak out,
And have life to the full –
Free from fear,
At last.

Through Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Honest words can be painful (Job 6:25; NLT).

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship (Proverbs 24:26; NLT).

Lord,
Please help me
To deal with
Fake relationships –
The ones where I’m afraid
To speak the truth.

Please give me courage
To be direct,
So all my relationships
Will be as honest
And equal
As possible.

Through Jesus’ name,
Amen.

I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word (Psalm 119:28; NLT).

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you (Psalm, 56:2; NLT).

In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the LORD!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help (Psalm 31:22; NLT).

I am sick with despair (Psalm 35:12; NLT).

From the depths of despair, O LORD, I call for your help (Psalm 130:1; NLT).

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 (Psalm 23:4; NKJV).

Lord,
When I’m upset,
I put my trust in you.

Please protect
And comfort me.

When I’m afraid,
I put my trust in you.

Please protect
And comfort me.

When I’m depressed,
I put my trust in you.

Please protect
And comfort me.

And when I despair,
I put my trust in you.

Please protect
And comfort me.

Through Jesus’ name,
Amen.