Category: body

28.3.23: Saying “Yes” to God

Ruth Kirk
The Annunciation to Mary by Constantijn Daniel van Renesse & Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, c. 1652, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

Yesterday, as soon as I began to pray without words, these verses arrived:

May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; NLT).

May your perfect will
Be done, Lord,
In my flesh, mind,
Heart and soul,

Throughout my life,
With every breath,
Throughout my dying,
And my death

May I say, “Yes”
To all you send –
For then
I will be whole.

He wounds, but His hands make whole (Job 5:18; NKJV).

References 

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2; NLT). 

Mary said, “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38; NET).

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).

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word (Luke 2:29; KJV).

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last (Luke 23:4t; NIV).

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

The Rosary Hospital

I enjoyed making this unusual Fiat rosary yesterday evening. The olive-wood, tear-drop shaped beads are quite small, but because of their shape they are easy and pleasant to hold. Hopefully, it will be completely finished by tomorrow evening.

25.3.23: Your will

Ruth Kirk
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Jesus+carries+cross&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image

This prayer came to me yesterday, despite how I’m struggling with migraine and dread at present:

May your will be done (Matthew 6:10; NLT). 

May your will be done today, Lord,
In my body, heart and mind;
In my spirit, and my life,
Then all my actions will be kind.

May I call upon your name,
For I am yours, and you are mine.
Fill my thoughts, and words, and deeds,
Till I become your living shrine.

May I know your strength and courage;
Take my hand, for I am blind.
May I trust you, Lord, and share
Your cross today, our souls entwined.

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).

References 

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

I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings (Ezekiel 36:27; CEV).

I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants – men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth – blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved (Joel 2:28-32; NLT).

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).

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).

Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).

 

21.3.23: In silence

Ruth Kirk
Jozef Israëls – Mijmering (meditation) of ook Ophelia – DM-975-508 – Dordrechts Museum.jpg

Yesterday morning, as I began to pray without words after saying the Lord’s Prayer, today’s blog arrived. I didn’t try to resist, or make it wait, or push it away, though I wanted so much to continue listening, and go deeper:

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). 

In silence, Lord, I listen
To your Spirit’s prayers
Within me.

In stillness, Lord, I sense you
In my body, heart,
And mind.

Though I’m alone,
I share your sighs,
Your wordless intercessions.

In my darkness, Lord,
Please give me sight,
For I am blind.

In my darkness you are all –
I seek you, Lord,
And find.

Seek and you will find (Luke 11:9; NIV).

References 

The Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26; AMP). 

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT). 

Pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20; RSV). 

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

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy (Isaiah 35:5-6; NIV). 

18.3.23: You know everything

Ruth Kirk

Whilst I was slowly waking up yesterday, this prayer came straight to me. I wanted to enjoy being warm and sleepy for a while, but the words were very insistent. It begins and ends with direct quotations from Psalm 139, which I have incorporated into the wording. The full references are below, as always.

Lord, you know everything about me: everything I experience, feel, think, say and do.

You observe all that happens in my body, mind, heart and soul, including everything of which I’m not conscious.

You perceive what I reveal to others, and what I conceal. 

You discern all this whether I’m awake, asleep, or dreaming.

Sick or well, you are closer than my heartbeat and my breath. 

You hold my life in your hands, loving me, and helping me through all I must face.

Lord, point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

References 

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me (Psalm 139:1; NLT).

The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10; NLT).

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NLT).

Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:24; NLT).  

9.3.23: The tomb

Ruth Kirk

Yesterday, in a vivid split second, I saw my heart as the tomb where Jesus was laid after his crucifixion. Out of this came today’s rather mysterious, ambiguous dialogue. The vision was completely silent, so it was exceptionally difficult to put into words. The last two lines are spoken by Christ.

Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there (John 19:40-2; NLT). 

I saw that my mind is the tomb
Where Our Lord was conveyed.

Will you rise from the dead there,
To pray for the people I meet?

I saw that my heart is the tomb
Where our Saviour was laid.

Will you rise from the dead there,
To love every person I greet?

I saw that my soul is the tomb
Where our Master was sealed.

Will you rise from the dead there,
To shepherd my steps on your way?

I saw that my flesh is the tomb
Where Christ Jesus was healed.

Will you rise from the dead there,
To serve me in others today?

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

References 

Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light (the Ephesians 5:14; NLT).

They sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it (Matthew 27:66; NLT).

He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them (2 Corinthians 5:15; NLT).

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

Those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! (Isaiah 26:19; NLT). 

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; NLT).

4.1.23: When I leave

Ruth Kirk

This is the last of the four prayers I was given on New Year’s Eve. It brought me a sense of relief and comfort to grasp fully that every kind of physical, mental and emotional suffering comes to an end when we die.

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

Lord,

When I leave my body here,
I’ll also leave my pain,

And when I leave my mind for good,
I’ll leave my burdens, too.

When I leave my heart on earth,
I’ll leave my grief, as well,

But I won’t leave my soul behind, 
For it is one with you.

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

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

27.12.22: Pierced

Ruth Kirk

Context: Today’s prayer came to me on the morning of Christmas Eve. It was very difficult to put into words. These verses are based on Jesus’ presentation in the Temple, when Simeon prophesied about his life, and about what was to come for Mary, his mother:

The deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul (Luke 2:35; NLT). 

Lord,
Pierce my mind
To cleanse each thought,
And pierce my heart,
For I am naught.

Then pierce my soul
Till we are one,
And pierce my flesh,
Like yours, God’s Son.

Lord,
Pierce my hands
To help me pray,
And pierce my feet
To share your way.

Then pierce my side
Till my love flows
Like yours, to all –
Both friends and foes.

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

 References

I am nothing (Job 40:4; NLT).

They will look on me, the one they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10; NIV). 

He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed (Isaiah 53:5; NLT).

They have pierced my hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; NLT).

One of the soldiers …pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out (John 19:34; NLT). 

Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT). 

Love the stranger (Leviticus 19:34; NKJV). 

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

The Rosary Hospital 

Just before Christmas, I made myself a fiat rosary, only to discover I’d missed out one crucial bead. So on Christmas Day I took it apart and re-made it, but ran out of cord just before the final knot! Fiat rosaries are quite complicated, so yesterday I gave myself a break by making a standard five-decade rosary. This went smoothly, which helped to restore my confidence:

29.11.22: I see

Ruth Kirk

Context: I’ve tested negative for covid three times now, so despite my continuing fatigue, I decided to face yesterday’s scheduled pain treatment at the hospital. As I entered the building I began to pray for everyone there and for those around me in the busy foyer. Then I suddenly saw the oneness of all humanity, even though we temporarily inhabit separate, fragile bodies during our time on earth.

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT). 

With joy, I see at last
That all are one –

One mind, one heart, one soul,
Though billions strong.

We lodge in separate bodies, Lord,
It’s true,

Yet all remain forever
One in you.

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

Your immortal spirit is in every one of them (Wisdom of Solomon 12:1; GNTA).

14.11.22: My Maker

Ruth Kirk

Context: A few days ago, just before I began to be ill with Covid, I woke around 5am, and was surprised by the arrival of this prayer, which gradually unfolded over the space of about an hour:

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker (Psalm 95:6; NLT).

You are my Maker,
My spirit,
My soul;
You are my source,
And my way,
And my goal.

You are my Pattern,
My body,
My blood;
You are my mind,
And my heart,
And my love.

You are my Master,
My strength,
And my breath;
You are my grief,
And my pain,
And my death.

You are my Shepherd,
My staff,
And my rod;
You are my life,
And my Lord,
And my God.

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed

24.10.22: My flesh is weak

Ruth Kirk

Context: Today I’m in London again, for further specialised hospital tests. These trips are a big challenge, because of my limited mobility and chronic fatigue. There’s something good to look forward to, though, as I’ve sent for all the basics I need to start learning the craft of making rosaries. If there’s any news worth reporting, I’ll include it when the time comes.

Following the prayers posted here for the last two days, today’s strikes a more optimistic note. It continues to build on the recent, recurring theme of inner healing:

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41; NIV). 

My flesh is weak,
My mind is scarred,

My heart is crushed,
My soul, afraid; 

And yet, my spirit
Leaps with joy

Because you love me:
Lord, I’m saved!

God’s love toward us is great, God’s faithfulness, eternal (Psalm 117:2; TIB).

You are the God who saves me (Psalm 25:5; NLT).

References 

He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 104:14; NLT). .

I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart (Psalm 38:8; NLT).

Yahweh is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18; LSB).

Fear came upon every soul (Acts 2:43; RSV). 

How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! (Luke 1L47; NLT). 

For you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture (Malachi 4:2; NLT). 

God already loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God (John 16:27; TIB).

God’s love toward us is great, God’s faithfulness, eternal (Psalm 117:2; TIB).

Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved (Joel 2:32; NLT).