Category: bless

New day

Ruth Kirk

Image: Heiko Behn, Pixabay

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).

1. Thank you, Lord,
For this new day.

2. May I start afresh
To pray,

3. And praise your name,
Rejoice, and sing,

4. And thank you, Lord,
For everything.

5. Bless you, Lord,
For this new day.

6. May I never flag,
Or stray,

7. But follow Christ,
Your only Son,

8. And live in peace
With everyone!

References

1. His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

2. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

3. Praise the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21; NLT).

Always rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

4. Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

5. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past (Isaiah 43:18; NIV).

6. Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands (Psalm 119:10; NIV).

7. 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).

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).

8. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18; NLT).

When someone hurts me

Ruth Kirk

When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross [and] Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-4; NLT).

1. Lord,
When someone hurts me,
Please help me to forgive,
To love, and bless, and pray for them,
However long they live.

2. Lord,
When someone harms me,
Please help me to be glad,
Thanking you for what they did,
For you bring good from bad.

3. Lord,
When someone wounds me,
Please help me to hold on,
For you bring hope from everything,
Although my hope is gone.

4. Lord,
When someone grieves me,
Please help me to rejoice;
Then peace will be my watchword,
And your way of love, my choice.

To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (Ephesians 3:20-21; NIV).

References

1. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you (Matthew 6:14; NLT).

Love your enemies! (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:27; NLT).

2. I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, prosecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10; NLT).

Should we accept only good from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6; NIV).

Be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NLT).

In all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28; NIV).

3. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise (Hebrews 10:23; 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 29:11; NLT).

The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone (Acts 27:20; NLT).

4. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us to develop endurance (Romans 5:3; NLT).

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15; NLT).

Follow the way of love (1 Corinthians 14:1; NIV).

You shield me

Ruth Kirk
Image: jplenio, Pixabay

This short dialogue is the starting-point for today’s prayer:

Moses: Show me your glorious presence.

God: I will make all my goodness pass before you. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live. Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by (Exodus 33:18-22; NLT).

1. With thick clouds, Lord, you shield me
From your glory,
While you dwell within my flesh,
To give me life.

2. With shadows, you protect me
From your brilliance,
While you dwell within my mind,
To give me light.

3. With darkness, you preserve me
From your power,
While you dwell within my heart,
To give me rest;

4. And though my anguish
Blinds me to your presence,
You dwell within my soul,
So I am blest.

References

1. Thick clouds swirl about him (Job 22:14; NIV).

God is my shield (Psalm 7:10; NLT).

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

He himself gives life and breath to everything (Acts 17:25; NLT).

2. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand (Isaiah 49:2; NLT).

He […] protects those who suffer (Job:11; NLT).

His face was like the sun in all its brilliance (Revelation 1:16; NLT).

The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness (Psalm 18:28; NLT).

3. He shrouded himself in darkness (2 Samuel 22:12; NLT).

The Lord preserves the simple (Psalm 116:6; RSV).

All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his (Jude 1:25; NLT).

I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

4. How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? (Psalm 13:2; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).

My eyes are blinded by my tears (Psalm 88:9; NLT).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

God blesses those who are poor in spirit, and realise their need for him (Matthew 5:3; NLT).

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation (James 1:12; NLT).

Your way of love

Ruth Kirk


1. Show us, Lord,
Your way of love,
Then we will never leave it.

2. Guide us
On your way of truth,
So others will receive it.

3. Teach us all
Your way of peace,
Then we will help to spread it.

4. Keep us
On your way of faith,
So many more will tread it.

5. Guard us on
Your way of life,
Then we will never lose it.

6. Bless us
On your way of joy,
So we will always choose it.

References

1. Follow the way of love (1Corinthians 14:1; NIV).

2. I have chosen the way of truth (Psalm 119:30; NKJV).

3. The Dayspring from on high has visited us […] to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:78-9; NKJV).

4. This way of faith is very different from the way of law (Galatians 3:12; NLT).

5. You have shown me the way of life (Acts 2:28; NLT).

6. This is the joy of his way (Job 8:19; NKJV).

Please bless me

Ruth Kirk
Image: silviarita, Pixabay

Those who say they live in God should live their lives
as Jesus did (1 John 2:6; NLT).

1. God of light,
Please bless me,
So I may shine today
On all I greet.

2. God of truth,
Please bless me,
So I may speak your words
To all I meet.

3. God of peace,
Please bless me,
So I may spread your joy,
Just like your Son.

4. God of love,
Please bless me,
So I may show your care
To everyone.

5. God of fire,
Please bless me,
So I may help
To set your world ablaze.

6. God of all,
Please bless me,
So I may trust and serve you
All my days.

References

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

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16; NLT).

2. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

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

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

Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; NLT).

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

Be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2:24; NLT).

5. God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).

I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! (Luke 12:49; CSB).

6. I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world (Jeremiah 32:27; NLT).

Trust in God (John 14:1; NLT).

Serve the Lord enthusiastically (Romans 12:11; NLT).

Help me, Lord

Ruth Kirk
Image: Argus398, Pixabay

I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord
(Psalm 141:8; NLT).

1. Help me, Lord,
To worship you today,
To praise you
As I walk your Narrow Way,

2. To see you, Lord,
In everyone I greet,
And serve you willingly
In all I meet.

3. Help me, Lord,
To pray throughout today,
To follow you
Along your Little Way,

4. To bless you, Lord,
And thank you without cease –
For then I’ll live in love,
And joy, and peace.

References

1. Worship the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2; NLT).

Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:1; NLT).

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14; NIV).

2. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2:24; NLT).

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35; NIV).

3. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24; NLT).

4. I will bless the Lord who guides me (Psalm 16:7; NLT).

Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16).

You will live in joy and peace (Isaiah 55:12; NLT).

Our way of life

Ruth Kirk


You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self […];
to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
(Ephesians 4:22-4; NIV).

1. Father God,
May constant prayer
Become our way of life.

2. Father,
May the search for peace and truth
Be our delight.

3. Father,
May our simple acts of care
Set hearts aflame.

4. Father,
May we spread your love,
So others bless your name.

References

1. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence (Psalm 16:11; NLT).

2. Search for peace, and work to maintain it (Psalm 34:14; NLT).

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace (Psalm 37:11; NKJV).

3. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love (Hebrews 10:24; NLT).

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

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

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

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

May everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever (Psalm 145:21; NLT).

Sharing

Ruth Kirk

God will generously provide all you need.
Then you will always have everything you need
And plenty left over to share with others
(2 Corinthians 9:8; NLT).

1. Lord,
You give us joy to share,
For you are with us
Everywhere.

2. Lord,
You give us love to pour
On others,
So their hearts may soar.

3. Lord,
You give us peace, to bless
All those in sickness
And distress.

4. Lord,
You give us life on loan,
Until you come
To take us home.

References

1. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever (Psalm 16:11; NLT).

The Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me (Psalm 16:8; NLT).

2. Each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me (Psalm 42:8; NLT).

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

3. The Lord blesses them with peace (Psalm 29:11; NLT).

4. The Lord gives both death and life (1 Samuel 2:6; NLT).

The life of every living thing is in his hand (Job 12:10; NLT).

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

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).

You are light

Ruth Kirk

Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
(Lamentations 3:41; NLT).

1. You are light:
I lift my eyes
To worship
And adore.

2. You are truth:
I lift my hands
To praise you
Evermore.

3. You are peace:
I lift my heart
To bless you
Every day.

4. You are love:
I lift my soul
To thank you, Lord,
And pray.

References

1. God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).
I lift my eyes to you, O God (Psalm 123:1; NLT).

2. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
Lift up holy hands in prayer (Psalm 134:2; NLT).

3. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).
Let us lift our hearts […] to God in heaven (Lamentations 3:41; NLT).

4. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).
I lift up my soul to you (Psalm 143:8; NKJV).