Author: Ruth Kirk

May we all repent

Ruth Kirk

Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; NLT).

Father,
May we all repent,
And turn to you, our Lord;
Then be baptised
In Jesus’ name,
As he forgives our sin.

Father,
May we all receive
Your gift: the Holy Ghost;
Take up our cross,
And follow Christ,
And try to grow like him.

Father,
May we all give up
Our hateful, selfish ways;
Put others first,
Accept your will,
And serve you all our days.

🖤

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).

My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NIV).

Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all (Mark 9:35; NIV).

Every breath

Ruth Kirk


The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
(Romans 8:26; RSV).

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
(Ephesians 6:18; NLT).

Let every breath
Become a prayer:
Feelings, thoughts, words, deeds –
The same.

Let every sigh
Become a prayer,
As we hold fast
To Jesus’ name.

Let every stress
Become a prayer:
Pain, sickness, sorrow,
Sins and fears.

Let every test
Become a prayer –
Because our Father
Always hears.

🖤

The angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son.
You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’),
for the Lord has heard your cry of distress.”
(Genesis 16:11; NLT).

We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for (1 John 5:14; NLT).

My flesh is weak

Ruth Kirk


The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
(Mark 14:38; NIV). 

My flesh is weak,
And my way is long,

But my faith is firm,
And my spirit, strong.

My steps are slow,
And my path is steep,

But my hope is bright,
For our love is deep.

🖤

My beloved is mine and I am his.
(Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).

 

Lose yourself in God

Ruth Kirk

We know how much God loves us,
and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God,
and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

1. Lose yourself in God:
Live in faith, like Christ.
+
Find yourself in God:
Walk with him today.

2. Lose yourself in God:
Live in hope, like Christ.
+
Find yourself in God:
Talk with him each day.

3. Lose yourself in God:
Live in love, like Christ.
+
Find yourself in God:
Join with him today.

4. Lose yourself in God;
Live in him, like Christ.
+
Find yourself in God:
One with him, each day.

🖤

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

References

1. Walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8; NLT). 

2. God talks with man (Deuteronomy 5:24; DBY).

Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8; NLT).

3-4. The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT). 

 

Don’t let prayer become a burden

Ruth Kirk


Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).

Don’t let prayer become a burden;
Don’t let prayer become a chore:
Listen to the Spirit’s prompting –
Silence is your inner core.

Take it slowly. Take it gently.
Keep it honest; not too long:
One with God in deep communion –
Though you’re weak, your prayers are strong.

Revel in your intercessions;
Pray for those who cross your path,
Begging God to bless and heal them –
Don’t let this become a “task”.

For yourself, ask God to help you
Face, and bear, his perfect will
With humble thanks, and great rejoicing –
Knowing that he loves you, still.

Pray that many unbelievers
Meet Christ Jesus, hear his call,
Repent, and turn to him each day –
Believing that God loves us all.

🖤

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16; NLT).

Whoever I think of

Ruth Kirk

Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart.
(Deuteronomy 15:9; ESV).

1. Whoever I think of, Lord,
See, hear, or greet,

2. All those I read about,
Pass in the street,

3. Write to, or talk with, Lord,
Many, or few:

4. May I pray for them, love them,
And serve them, like you. 

🖤

Never stop praying, especially for others.
(Ephesians 6:18; CEV).  

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

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
(Mark 10:45; NLT).

 

Fear God (#2 of 2)

Ruth Kirk

Fear him alone (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

Fear God’s awesome fire and strength:
Worship him alone.

Praise God’s gracious mind and heart:
Honour him alone.

Seek God’s faithful love and truth:
Dwell in him alone.

Search God’s endless height and depth:
Trust in him alone.

Share God’s blissful light and peace:
Rest in him alone.

Choose God’s perfect way of life:
Follow him alone.

🖤

God’s way is perfect (2 Samuel 31; NLT). 

Listen! I, the Lord, am giving you a choice between the way that leads to life and the way that leads to death (Jeremiah 21:8; GNT). 

We will follow the Lord our God forever and ever.
(Micah 4:5; NLT).

Fear God (#1 of 2)

Ruth Kirk

I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear (Luke 12:5; NLT). 

Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; NLT).

Fear God’s awesome fire and strength:
Turn away from sin.

Seek God’s gracious heart and mind:
Worship only him.

Choose God’s faithful truth and care:
Give up lies and shame.

Search God’s endless height and depth:
Honour his great name.

Share God’s blissful light and peace:
Make his love your home.

Choose God’s perfect way of life –
Serving him alone.

🖤

Serve him alone (Matthew 4:10; CPDV).

 

Your Little Way*

Ruth Kirk

Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18; RSV).

1. Thank you, Lord,
For this new day.
Please guide me
On your Little Way,

2. So I will feel, think,
Say, and do
Everything with love,
For you. 

3. No matter what
You give or take,
May I accept it
For your sake,

4. Then I will feel, think,
Say, and do
Everything with love,
Like you.

🖤

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
(Galatians 5:6; NIV).

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
(1 John 3:16; NLT).

References

1. The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life (Matthew 7:14; NASB).

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love (Ephesians 5:2; NIV).

2. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT)

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2; NLT). 

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

Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

3. Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; CSB). 

My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NIV).

4. As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).

*As taught by Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux.

Testing and temptation

Ruth Kirk

The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him
with all your heart and with all your soul.
(Deuteronomy 13:3; NIV).

When I’m being tested,
May I fear you, Lord, alone.
When I’m feeling tempted,
May I cling to you, alone.

When I’m being tested,
May I serve you, Lord, alone,
And when I’m feeling tempted,
May I follow you, alone.

When I’m being tested,
May I praise you, Lord, alone.
When I’m feeling tempted,
May I worship you, alone.

When I’m being tested,
May I love you, Lord, alone,
And when I’m feeling tempted,
May I trust in you, alone.

🖤

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.
Afterward they will receive the crown of life
that God has promised to those who love him.
(James 1:12; NLT).

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.
(James 1:2-3; NLT).