Author: Ruth Kirk

Faith, hope and love

Ruth Kirk

Everything we have comes from you,
and we give you only what you first gave us.
(1 Chronicles 29:14; NLT).

Lord,

1. Thank you for your gift of faith,
Poured out on us each day.

2. Thank you for your gift of hope,
Which helps us as we pray.

3. Thank you for your gift of love,
Which blesses all we do.

4. Thank you for your gift of life:
We give it back to you.

References

1. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all (1 Corinthians 12:4; NLT).

2. Put your hope in God (Psalm 42:5; NIV).

3. The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love (Galatians 5:22; NLT).

4. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth (Isaiah 42:5; NLT).

Strangers

Ruth Kirk

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels
without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2; NIV).

May those I’ve never met,
Lord God,
Be just as dear
To my cold heart
As those I see
Each day.

References

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

You, too, must show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NIV).

I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home (Matthew 25:35; NLT).

You know us

Ruth Kirk

1. All our thoughts are prayers,
But we forget you share each one:
Good, bad, and uncaring, Lord,
Including those we shun.

2. All our words are prayers,
But we forget you hear them, too:
Angry, mean, dishonest, Lord,
Forbearing, kind, or true.

3. All our deeds are prayers,
But we forget you see what’s done:
Cheating, stealing, hurting, Lord,
We’re nothing like your Son.

4. All our lives are prayers, Lord,
And you know us through and through,
So it’s pointless to imagine
We can hide our sins from you.

References

1. Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking (Mark 2:8; NLT).

2. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord (Psalm 139:4; NLT).

3. The Lord sees clearly what a man does (Proverbs 5:21; NLT).

4. You, Lord, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you (Psalm 69:5; NIV).

Seek and find

Ruth Kirk

Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).

1. May I seek you in everything,
In everything you make,
And find you, Lord, in everything,
Rejoicing, for your sake.

2. May I seek you in everyone,
In all who live and breathe,
And find you, Lord, in everyone,
Whatever race or creed.

3. May I seek you, Lord, everywhere,
In earth and sky above,
And find you, Lord, in all creation,
Radiating love.

References

1. I am the Lord, who made all things (Isaiah 44:24; NLT).

There is […] one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

2. You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).

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

Like you

Ruth Kirk

Put on your new nature,
and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator
and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).

1. No matter what I’m thinking,
May I share it, Lord, with you.

2. No matter what I’m saying,
May I say it, Lord, like you.

3. No matter what I’m doing,
May I do it, Lord, for you.

4. No matter what each day brings, Lord,
May I grow more like you.

References

1. We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).

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

3. Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17; NLT).

4. The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

My body

Ruth Kirk

1. My body, Lord,
Goes out into the world:
One with you,
And all I apprehend.

2. My mind, Lord,
Reaches out into the world:
One with you,
And everyone you send.

3. My heart, Lord,
Celebrates with all the world:
One with you,
And everything you make.

4. My soul, Lord,
Is united with the world:
One with you
And all, for your Son’s sake.

References

1. There is one Lord […] who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

2. Though we are many […] we are one body (1 Corinthians 10:17; NLT).

3. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts (Psalm 21:13; NLT).

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1-2; NIV).

Rejoice forever in my creation! (Isaiah 65:18; NLT).

4. You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).

We ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake (2 Corinthians 4:5; NLT).

Beyond

Ruth Kirk

1. Lord,
I seek you out
In contemplation,

2. Though you are beyond words,
Thoughts,
And feelings;

3. Beyond movement,
Time,
And place;

4. Beyond awareness
Of any separate self –

5. My Lord,
And my God.

References

1. Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).

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

3. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

5. “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).