Category: care

You walk with me

Ruth Kirk
Photo: londonuk3710

1. Lord,
You walk with me,
And I with you,
For you delight in me,
And I in you.

2. Lord,
You talk to me,
And I to you,
Then you speak out through me,
And I through you.

3. Lord,
You care for me,
And I for you,
While you reach out through me,
And I through you.

4. Lord,
You live in me,
And I in you,
So you are one with me,
And I with you.

References

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

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

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

Do not worry about what to say or how today it. At that time you will be given what to say (Matthew 10:19; NIV).

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

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4; NLT).

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

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

Without God

Ruth Kirk
Photo: jplenio

You lived in this world without God and without hope
(Ephesians 2:12; NLT).

1. Father,
When we shut you out
We make life so depressing;

2. Jesus,
When we cast you off
The years are hard to bear;

3. Spirit,
When we block your love
We make our lives so empty –

4. Yet all we need to say is:
Lord, have mercy,
For you care.

References

1. The godless are barren (Job 15:34; NLT).

I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:17; NLT).

2. In those days you were living apart from Christ […] You lived in this world without God and without hope (Ephesians 2:12; NLT).

Why wasn’t I buried like a stillborn child, like a baby who never lives to see the light? (Job 3:16; NLT).

3. People who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it (1 Corinthians 2:14; NLT).

God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors (1 Peter 1:18; NLT).

4. God have mercy on me, a sinner (Luke 18:13; NIV).

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7; 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).

Turn exile into pilgrimage

Ruth Kirk

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

Lord,

1. Help me turn my exile
Into pilgrimage.

2. Help me turn my selfishness
To care.

3. Help me turn my suffering
To service.

4. Help me turn my whole life
Into prayer.

References

1. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them (Psalm 126:6; NIV).

2. 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).

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you (1 Peter 5:2; NLT).

3. When I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10; NLT).

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

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

Healing

Ruth Kirk

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).

1. Thank you, Father,
For your love:
The wounds you wash,
The way you care.

2. Thank you, Father,
For your peace:
The minds you mend,
The joy you share.

3. Thank you, Father,
For your truth:
The hearts you heal,
The Son you gave.

4. Thank you, Father,
For your fire:
The bonds you break,
The souls you save.

References

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

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

Wash me clean from my guilt (Psalm 51:2; NLT).

He […] binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3; NIV).

He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7; NLT).

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

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind (Mark 5:15; NIV).

God [is] the source of all my joy (Psalm 43:4; NLT).

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

He heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3; NIV).

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).

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

I will break the yoke off their necks, and will tear off their bonds (Jeremiah 30:8; NIV).

Lord, you are the God who saves me (Psalm 88:1; NIV).

Help me to face this fear (#2 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk

Today’s prayer is similar to yesterday’s. It can be said before facing feared situations,
or repeated whilst experiencing fear or panic.

A child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6; NLT).

1. Jesus,
Wondrous Counsellor,
You know the cross I bear.

2. Jesus,
Mighty God and King,
You understand, and care.

3. Jesus,
Everlasting Father,
You are always here.

4. Jesus,
Prince of Peace, my Lord:
Please help me face this fear.

References

1. 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).

2. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do (Psalm 33:15; NLT).

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

3. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NKJV).

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

4. Then I called on the name of the Lord, “Please, Lord, save me!” (Psalm 116:4; NLT).

Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my saviour (Psalm 38:22; NLT).

He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44; NLT).

He helps me (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Matthew 26:39; NLT).

Help me to face this task (#1 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk

Today’s prayer can be said repeatedly both before, and whilst, facing any task we find hard.

A child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6; NLT).

1. Jesus,
Wondrous Counsellor,
You care for me each day.

2. Jesus,
Mighty God and King,
You hear me when I pray.

3. Jesus,
Everlasting Father,
Grant me what I ask:

4. Jesus,
Prince of Peace, my Lord,
Please help me face this task.

References

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

2. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14; NIV).

3. Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for (Matthew 7:7; NLT).

Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24; NIV).

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

Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my saviour (Psalm 38:22; NLT).

He helps me (Psalm 28:7; NLT).