Thank you, Lord,
For this new day.
May I rejoice
Along the way,
Express your love
In all I say,
And never cease
To watch and pray.
References
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation (Matthew 26:41; NIV).
When I’m sick, Lord,
Help me still to serve you.
When I’m hurt, Lord,
Help me to forgive.
When I sin, Lord,
Help me to say sorry.
Then, though I am dust,
I’ll fully live!
References
Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only (Luke 4:8; NIV).
When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too (Mark 11:25; NLT).
If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-4; NIV).
I am nothing but dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27; NIV).
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NIV).
Hello, everyone. I want to let you all know that I’m in hospital with breathing difficulties, just in case there is some disruption to my daily posts. I was admitted on Monday, and am currently waiting to have a scan and, hopefully, a diagnosis. Love to you all, from Ruth XXXXX
Lord,
Whether my tests are great or small,
May I help those who stumble.
Whether my pain is strong or weak,
May I help others through.
Whether my tears fall fast or slow,
May I help those who suffer.
Whether my life is long or short,
May I, like Christ, serve you.
References
The Lord tests the heart (Proverbs 17:3; NLT).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).
Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15; NRSV).
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
Hello, my name is Ruth, and I’m a Christian, Catholic, Celtic writer. I live with chronic fatigue, invasive breast cancer, neuropathic pain, and various other medical conditions. I also have extensive experience of panic, agoraphobia, depression and anxiety, both personally and professionally. Whilst I’m praying I often have insights, which I try to express in writing. Then I share them with others via my website, twitter and Facebook.
I publish a short, original blog each day, praying for all those who read it, as well as for all those who do not. I very much hope you will find something on my site that interests or helps you, and I welcome feedback and correspondence.
With best wishes, from Ruth xxxx
Hello, everyone. I woke at 5am today, and, to my great joy and relief, received the inspiration to start writing again. Thank you so much to those who sent messages of comfort, support and encouragement. So, here is today’s newly-minted prayer:
I hold my friends, Lord,
In your light,
Which streams into the world
Both day and night.
I hold my neighbours
In your peace,
Which streams into the world, Lord,
Without cease.
I hold my foes, Lord,
In your truth,
Which streams into the world
To end abuse.
I hold all people
In your blood,
Which streams into the world
To bring us love.
References
I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another (2 John 1:5; NLT).
God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).
See, see, where Christ’s blood streams in the firmament! (Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, Act 5; Scene 2).
If you love your neighbour, you will fulfil the requirements of God’s law (Romans 13:8; NLT).
The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).
Love your enemies! (Luke 6:35; NLT).
The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
Supplement your […] brotherly affection with love for everyone (2 Peter 1:7; NLT).
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross (Colossians 1:20; NLT).
God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).
My God, my God,
I long for you,
Though you are always here,
Within my body.
My God, my God,
I yearn for you,
Though you are always here,
Within my mind.
My God, my God,
I thirst for you,
Though you are always here,
Within my heart, Lord.
My God, my God,
I search for you,
Though you always here,
Within my soul.
References
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34; NLT).
I long for you, O God (Psalm 42:1; NLT).
You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain (Psalm 143:6; NLT).
All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God (Isaiah 26:9; NLT).
He lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).
Father,
When I come to you in silence
My body can’t be left outside the door;
So I share my pain and sickness with you,
Then I find they trouble me no more.
Father,
When I search for you in stillness
Endless thoughts and fantasies hold sway;
So I share all my istractions with you,
Then I find they slowly drift away.
Father,
When I seek you out in private
Painful feelings can’t be pushed aside;
So I share my rage and sorrow with you,
Then I find they quietly subside.
Father,
When I wait for you in darkness
Terror sometimes shakes me to the core;
But I share my fear and anguish with you,
Then I let them go, Lord, and adore.
References
Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).
Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10; NIV).
When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private (Matthew 6:6; NLT).
Wait for the Lord (Psalm 37:34; NIV).
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35; NIV).
We adore you as the one who is over all things (1 Chronicles 29:11; NLT).
When sorrow comes
I long for you,
While you, Lord,
Comfort me.
When sickness strikes
I search for you,
While you, Lord,
Make me whole.
When life is hard
I cry to you,
While you, Lord,
Strengthen me.
When darkness falls
I beg your help,
While you, Lord,
Heal my soul.
References
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
May the God of peace make you holy in every way (1 Thessalonians 5:23; NLT).
You encourage me by giving me your strength (Psalm 138:3; NLT).
He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).
Father,
May I always
Speak the truth
To you in prayer,
With no pretence,
”Forgetting”,
Or false shame;
And may I pray
At all times
In your Holy Spirit, Lord,
With faith, and hope,
And love,
Through your Son’s name.
References
We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).
Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).
Three things will last forever — faith, hope and love — and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).
Ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:14; NLT).
Oh, my Lord,
I love you so.
Forgive me;
Never let me go
Until I enter
Heaven’s gate,
Where I will no more
Watch and wait.
*
Oh, my Lord,
I love you so.
Please help me;
Never let me go
Until I reach
Your open door
To dwell in you
For evermore.
*
Oh, my Lord,
I love you so.
Please hold me;
Never let me go
Until I fall
On bended knee,
To worship you
Eternally.
References
I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour (Micah 7:7; NIV).
All who live in love live in God (1 John 4:16; NLT).
Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness (Psalm 29:2; NIV).