comfort – Seeking God's face together

Jesus

September 20, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: bereanaoficial1, Pixabay

1. Jesus is my Lord and God,
My comforter when I am sad;
Brother, sister, father, mother:
All the love I never had.

2. Jesus is my watchful shepherd,
Teacher, master, mountain guide;
Friend in need, defence in trouble:
He is always at my side.

3. Jesus is my close companion,
Strong support when I’m afraid;
Sword and shield when I’m in danger:
Rescuer when I have strayed.

4. Jesus is my paragon,
My light along the narrow way;
Bread, wine, water; truth, and life:
My inspiration, every day.

References

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

Worship Christ as Lord of your life (1 Peter 3:15; NLT)

The Father and I are one (John 10:30; NLT).

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, [Comforter, Encourager, Counsellor] who will never leave you (John 14:16; NLT).

Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? Then he looked around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:33-5; NLT).

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

2. I am the good shepherd (John 10:14; NLT).

Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you (John 13:14-15; NLT).

3. The Lord will guide you continually (Isaiah 58:11; NLT).

The Lord is a friend to those who fear him (Psalm 25:14; NLT).

He is your protecting shield and your triumphant sword! (Deuteronomy 33:29; NLT).

I will be glad because he rescues me (Psalm 35:9; NLT).

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders (Luke 15:4-5; NLT).

4. God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NLT).

I am the light of the world (John 9:5; NLT).

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14; NIV).

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19-20; NIV).

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart (John 7:38; NLT).

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6; NLT).

Just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him (Colossians 2:6; CSB).

Burn my sins

July 31, 2020July 31, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: Gábor Adonai, Pixabay

1. Burn my sins to ash, Lord,
With your fire,
And chase away my darkness
With your light.

2. Mend my foolish thoughts, Lord,
With your truth,
And make up for my weakness
With your might.

3. Heal my broken heart, Lord,
With your love,
And comfort my poor body
With your peace.

4. Fill my wretched soul, Lord,
With your hope,
And dwell in me forever,
My High Priest.

References

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

God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV).

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

Power and might are in your hand (1 Chronicles 29:12; NLT).

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

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

4. God [is] the source of hope (Romans 15:13; NLT).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

Jesus […] has become our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 6:20; NLT).

Darkness

July 16, 2020Ruth Kirk

1. Living God,
I’m your unworthy temple,
Where you shroud yourself
In darkness from my sight.

2. My mind, and heart, and soul
Dwell in your darkness,
But your closeness comforts me
Both day and night.

3. Lord, may I accept
This inner darkness,
Trusting in your presence
And your love,

4. Then I’ll gladly walk with you
In darkness,
Where we are one,
United through Christ’s blood.

References

1. I am not even worthy to come and meet you (Luke 7:7; NLT).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

He shrouded himself in darkness (2 Samuel 22:12; NLT).

No one has ever seen God (John 1:18; NLT).

2. He has made me dwell in darkness (Psalm 143:3; NKJV).

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

3. You have taken away my companions and my loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

We have put our trust in his love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

4. If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God (Isaiah 50:10; NLT)

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

You have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13; NLT).

Help us all (for M.R.)

June 3, 2020Ruth Kirk

Lord,

1. Please help us all
Throughout today:
Those who are lonely,
Those who’ve lost their way;

2. Those who are hungry, homeless,
Those who’ve strayed;
Those who are grieving,
Comfortless, afraid;

3. Those who are sick, or dying,
Old, distressed;
Those who are longing
For your peace and rest;

4. Those who have ceased to hope,
And cannot pray:
Father, please help us all
Throughout today.

I live in you

June 1, 2020Ruth Kirk

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).

Flashback (for A.)

May 26, 2020May 26, 2020Ruth Kirk

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you
(Isaiah 43:2; NLT).

1. Here comes a flashback,
Always undesired:
My mother, screaming at me
Without restraint.

2. I’m two or three years old,
So I can neither
Understand her words,
Nor guess what lies behind them.

3. I’m at her mercy,
Paralysed by fear;
Helpless, lost, defenceless,
And alone.

4. But here you are, Lord,
Entering the scene.
You pick me up,
Then take my mother’s hand.

5. “Peace, be still!”
These are your only words.

6. You shine with love,
And radiate concern.
Your voice is steady, gentle, calm,
And kind.

7. You look at us
With perfect understanding.
Comfort and healing
Flow from your wounded hands.

8. My mother’s screaming stops.
My terror ends.
Together, we absorb
Your silent joy…

9. And then my flashback fades, but from now on
Every time this memory intrudes,
You will be present, Jesus, at its heart,
Just as you were, in fact, so long ago.

References

4. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11; NIV).

5. He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm (Mark 4:39; NKJV).

6. His face shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2; NIV).

8. Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; NLT).

9. 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).

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

Be with us

April 16, 2020Ruth Kirk

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

1. Be with us in our darkness, Lord,
And let us see your light.

2. Be with us in our weakness, Lord,
And show us all your might.

3. Be with us in our straying, Lord,
And guide us to your way.

4. Be with us in our anguish, Lord,
And comfort us today.

References

1. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light (Micah 7:8; NLT).

God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV).

2. Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak (Psalm 6:2; NLT).

He is mighty in both power and understanding (Job 36:5; NLT).

3. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own (Isaiah 53:6; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way” (John 14:6; NLT).

4. Lord, see my anguish! (Lamentations 1:20; NLT).

He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever (John 14:16; KJV).

Exile

March 4, 2020Ruth Kirk

The Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you
(Deuteronomy 31:6; NIV).

1. Father,
You’re in exile
With those living far from home,
For Christ, your Son, dwells in us all,
No matter where we roam.

2. Father,
You’re in hospital
With every patient there,
For Christ, your Son, dwells in us all,
To comfort, heal, and care.

3. Father,
You’re in prison
With each lonely detainee,
For Christ, your Son, dwells in us all,
To set our spirits free.

4. Father,
You’re in everyone;
You never cease to give;
For Christ, your Son, dwells in us all,
So we may fully live.

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 on 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 (Psalm 139:7-10; NLT).

References

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

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

2. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NIV).

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

3. The Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love (Genesis 39:21; NLT).

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners (Luke 4:18; NIV).

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

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need (Luke 12:31; NLT).

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NLT).

Damaged (#1 of 2 linked prayers)

January 20, 2020Ruth Kirk

If the Son sets you free, you are truly free
(John 8:36; NLT).

1. Lord,
You live in every damaged body;
Every wounded, fragile, anxious mind.

2. Lord,
You live in every injured spirit;
Every broken heart, and those confined.

3. Lord,
You want to heal each mind and body,
Giving us new life, for you are kind.

4. Lord,
You want to set free every spirit,
And every broken heart you want to bind.

References

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

The Spirit of God lives in you (1 Corinthians 3:16; NLT).

He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 103:14; NLT).

2. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise (Psalm 51:17; NIV).

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3; NIV).

3. A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Move with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Mark 1:41; NLT).

Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God (1 Peter 1:23; NLT).

How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! (Psalm 116:5; NLT).

4. He will give you another Advocate [Comforter, Encourager, Counsellor], who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth (John 14:16-17; NLT).

The Lord has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1; NIV).