Category: care

May I care

Ruth Kirk

Image: Makri27, Pixabay

1. May I care for others, Lord,
And also for myself,

2. Mindful of their thinking, Lord,
And also of my own;

3. Conscious of their feelings, Lord,
And mine, too, deep within –

4. Then I will speak the truth in love,
But, Lord, I will not sin.

 

References

1. Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).

To acquire wisdom is to love oneself (Proverbs 19:8; NLT).

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

3. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15; NRSV).

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? (Psalm 42:5; NLT).

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

Be angry but do not sin (Ephesians 4:26; RSV).

I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say (Psalm 39:1; NLT).

At least (#2 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk
Image: Andrew Martin, Pixabay

He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out the flickering candle
(Matthew 12:20; NLT).

Lord,

1. May I listen carefully
To those whose paths cross mine,
At least, not hurting them, because
They are your holy shrine.

2. May I speak the truth in love
To those along my way,
At least, not wounding them, because
You care for them each day.

3. And may I ask your blessing, Lord,
For those whose lives I touch,
At least, not crushing them, because
You love them all so much.

References

1. The wise listen to others (Proverbs 12:15; NLT).

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain (Isaiah 11:9; NKJV).

Do you not know that you are God’s temple? (1 Corinthians 3:16; RSV).

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

The Lord cares deeply (Psalm 116:15: NLT).

3. Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).

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

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

Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:27-8; 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).

When I try to pray

Ruth Kirk
Image: Karen Arnold, Pixabay

Father,

1. When I try to pray
In vain,
Wearied by distress,
Or fear, or pain,

2. Help me, instead, to rest
Safe in your hand,
Because you care,
And always understand.

References

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

I am weary from distress (Psalm 57:6; NLT).

2. Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

The Lord will hold you in his hand (Isaiah 62:3; NLT).

He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7; NIV).

God understands all hearts (Proverbs 24:12; NLT).

Come close

Ruth Kirk
Image: Ruth Kirk

Come close to God,
and God will come close to you
(James 4:8; NLT).

1. Lord,
May I come close to you
In prayer,
Trusting in your presence
And your care.

2. Lord,
May I live close to you
Each day,
Trusting in your gospel
And your way.

3. Lord,
May I draw close to you
In death,
Trusting in your love
Till my last breath.

4. Lord,
May I rest close to you
In grace,
Then I’ll know your kiss,
And see your face.

References

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

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

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

Believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15; NKJV).

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

3. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

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

Those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die (Isaiah 57:2; NLT).

While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NIV).

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NRSV)

May all discover you

Ruth Kirk
Image: Valerio Romane, Pixabay

1. Lord,
May all discover you today,
Turning to you,
And trusting in your care.

2. Lord,
May all rejoice in you today,
Embracing you,
And casting off despair.

3. Lord,
May all remain in you today,
Walking with you,
And facing every test.

4. Lord,
May all unite with you today,
Living in you,
And finding perfect rest.

References

1. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13; NLT).

Repent of your sins and turn to God (Matthew 3:2; NLT).

He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7; NIV).

2. His name is the Lord – rejoice in his presence! (Psalm 68:4; NLT).

Israel will embrace her God (Jeremiah 31:22; NLT).

He lifted me out of the pit of despair (Psalm 40:2; NLT).

3. Remain in me, and I will remain in you (John 15:4; NLT).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

4. Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).

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

Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

God is love

Ruth Kirk
Image: Edward Lich, Pixabay

You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful,
slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love
(Nehemiah 9:17; NLT).

1. God is shelter, and space;
Mercy, and grace;

2. Forgiveness, and care;
Wrathful, yet fair;

3. Salvation, and might;
Darkness, and light;

4. Tumult, and peace;
God is love, without cease.

References

1. All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7; NLT).

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

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

2. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:2-4; NLT).

God is a raging fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; ESV). 

Everything he does is just and fair (Deuteronomy 32:4; NLT).

3. The Lord is my light and my salvation (Psalm 27:1; NLT).

He shrouded himself in darkness (Psalm 18:11; NLT).

4. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me (Psalm 42:7; NLT).

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

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

Wholeness

Ruth Kirk
Image: waleedzafar203, Pixabay

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

1. Thank you for my body,
And thank you for my mind,
Thank you for my heart, Lord,
And my soul.

2. Thank you for your care, Lord,
And your forgiveness, too,
Your healing, and the faith
Which makes me whole.

References

1. You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8; NIV).

He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:25; NIV).

2. If God cares so wonderfully for the flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you (Luke 12:28; NLT).

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8; NIV).

Thy faith hath made thee whole (Luke 8:48; KJV).

I live in you

Ruth Kirk
Image: geralt, Pixabay

All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God
have God living in them, and they live in God
(1 John 4:15; NLT).

1. Lord, my God,
I live in you,
Believe in you,
And trust in you.

2. Lord, my God,
You live in me,
Deliver me,
And comfort me.

3. Lord, my God,
I’m one with you,
Rejoice in you,
And worship you.

4. Lord, my God,
You’re one with me,
Delight in me,
And care for me.

References

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

Believe in the Lord your God (2 Chronicles 17:14; NLT).

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

2. You are my father, my God, and the protector who delivers me (Psalm 89:26; NET).

You, O Lord, help and comfort me (Psalm 86:17; NLT).

3. Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1; NLT).

Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour (1 Chronicles 16:29; NLT).

4. He delights in me (2 Samuel 22:20; NLT).

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you (Hosea 14:8; NLT).

I pray for all

Ruth Kirk

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

1. Lord,
I pray for all the sick,
For those who tend and care;
For all the dying, all the dead,
And those left 
In despair.

2. Lord,
I pray for all who search
For your beloved Son;
And those who don’t believe in you,
Though you love everyone.

References

1. Pray for one another (James 5:16; NLT).

My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken (Jeremiah 8:18; NLT).

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

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

God speaks

Ruth Kirk


1. God speaks to us
But we don’t hear:
With him, there’s neither
Hate, nor fear.

2. God cares for us
Although we fight:
With him, there’s neither
Black, nor white.

3. God aches for us,
And hears each plea:
With him, there’s neither
Slave, nor free.

4. God longs for us
To change, and trust:
With him, there’s neither
Them, nor us.

5. God treasures us,
And this is key:
With him, there’s neither
He, nor she.

6. God offers us
His much-loved Son:
With him, all humankind
Is one.

References

1. God speaks again and again, though people do not recognise it (Job 33:14; NLT).

No one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain (Isaiah 65:25; NLT).

Perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18; NIV).

2. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows (Psalm 146:9; NLT).

Do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also (Matthew 5:39; NLT).

3. In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

He hears their cries for help and rescues them (Psalm 145:19; NLT).

There is neither slave nor free (Galatians 3:28; NKJV).

4. The Lord longs to be gracious to you (Isaiah 30:18; NIV).

Repent and turn to me again (Revelation 3:3; NLT).

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

5. He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

There is neither male nor female (Galatians 3:28; NKJV).

6. 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).

This is my beloved Son (Luke 9:35; NKJV).

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