Category: care

Rest and remain

Ruth Kirk

Image: Alexas Fotos, Pixabay

1. Help me, Lord, to rest in you today:
To look for you
In all who come my way;
To be like you
In all I think and feel,
So I can help this broken world
To heal.

2. Help me to remain in you today:
To care, like you,
For all who come my way;
To be like you
In all I say and do,
So I can offer love to all,
Like you.

 

References

1. My soul finds rest in God (Psalm 62:1; NIV).

Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-9; NLT).

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

We live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).

Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45; NLT).

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

If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5; NLT).

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

Speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

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

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 (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

Jesus doesn’t ask me

Ruth Kirk

Image: Hans Braxmeier, Pixabay

We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses,
but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are –
yet he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15; NIV). 

1. Jesus doesn’t ask me
To go anywhere he hasn’t been,
Or to walk his narrow path alone.

2. Jesus doesn’t ask me
To face anything he hasn’t feared,
Or to cope with anguish on my own.

3. Jesus doesn’t ask me
To bear anything he hasn’t borne,
Or to suffer pain without his care.

4. Jesus doesn’t ask me
To love anyone he doesn’t love:
Instead, he waits to take my hand, and share.

 

References

1. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1; NLT).

I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

2. He became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” (Matthew 26:37-8; NLT).

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

3. When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross (Luke 23:33; NLT).

He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4; NIV).

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

Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34; NLT).

Nothing

Ruth Kirk

Image: Godsgirl madi, Pixabay

I know the Lord is always with me
(Psalm 16:8; NLT).

1. Nothing can come
Between me and my Lord.

2. Nothing can wipe out
His care.

3. Nothing can stop us
Communing each day.

4. Nothing can silence
My prayer.

 

References

1. Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39; NLT).

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in darkness I cannot hide from you (Psalm 139:7-12; NLT).

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

3. Listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

He hears my voice (Psalm 116:1; NLT).

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

Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

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

My spirit rises up

Ruth Kirk


Image: Engin Akyurt, Pixabay

1. My spirit rises up, Lord God,
To join with yours, in prayer.

2. I share my pain and fear with you,
Each fault, each sin, each care,

3. United with you, Father God,
Your Spirit, and your Son,

4. With all the living, and the dead,
For in you, all are one.

 

References

1. Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord (Jeremiah 50:5; ESV).

Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; CSB).

2. Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

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

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

4. He is God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him (Luke 20:38; NLT).

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

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us (John 17:21; NLT).

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).