Category: cross

Little prayers

Ruth Kirk


This set of little prayers came to me whilst I was asleep. As I woke up, I could still hear the words being spoken aloud in my mind. Grabbing my ipad, I started writing them down immediately, as I knew from experience that they would disappear within seconds. Each prayer can be used at a specific moment, or said repeatedly in difficult situations.

1. When I wake to face each day:
Lord, I’m yours; you are my way.

2. When I hear your gentle voice:
Lord, I’m yours; you are my choice.

3. When I am about to eat:
Lord, I’m yours; this is a feast.

4. When I pray to you at night:
Lord, I’m yours; you are my light.

5. When I want to judge, and win:
Lord, I’m yours; forgive my sin.

6. When I suffer fear and pain:
Lord, I’m yours; I praise your name.

7. When I think I’m going to drown:
Lord, I’m yours; don’t let me down.

8. When I kneel before your cross:
Lord, I‘m yours, but I am dross.

9. When I see you, risen, scarred:
Lord, I’m yours, though life is hard.

10. When I share your bread and wine:
Lord, I’m yours, and you are mine.

References

1. I am the way (John 14:6; NLT).

2. I am yours (Psalm 119:94; NLT).

3. You prepare a feast for me (Psalm 23:5; NLT).

4. I am the light of the world (John 8:12; NLT).

5. He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

6. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; NIV).

7. Lord, save us! We’re going to drown (Matthew 8:25; NLT).

8. O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner (Luke 18:13; NLT).

9. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

10. My beloved is mine and I am his (Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).

Child of God

Ruth Kirk

1. May I be a child of God,
Whose Spirit helps me hear his call
To pray with him incessantly,
And ask him to forgive us all.

2. May I be a friend of Jesus,
Taking up my cross each day,
Serving him by loving all humanity
Along the way.

3. May I be a friend of God,
Our Father, who makes all things new,
Begging him to help us heal
This Eden, and its people, too.

References

1. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God (1 John 5:1; NLT).

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26; NLT).

O that today you would listen as he speaks! (Hebrews 4:7; NET).

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).

2. [Jesus said] This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me (John 15:12-15; NLT).

Then [Jesus] said to the crowd, “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).

Supplement your faith with […] love for everyone (2 Peter 1:5-7; NLT).

3. Our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Romans 5:11; NLT).

The one sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:5; NLT).

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15; NIV).

The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one. Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord (Psalm 14:2-4; NLT).

Morning prayer

Ruth Kirk


1. Thank you, Father, for my night,
For all my dreams,
And this new day.

2. Help me to pick up my cross,
And follow Christ,
And always pray,

3. Rejoicing in your Spirit, Lord,
Who loves me,
Though I’m fully known,

4. While waiting patiently in exile,
Till you come
To take me home.

References

1. Thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; 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).

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

3. Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

The believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52; NLT).

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

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

He knows the secrets of every heart (Psalm 44:21; NLT).

4. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7).

I sent them away to exile and brought them home again (Ezekiel 39:28; NLT).

Love and dust

Ruth Kirk

Lord,

1. You make us all from love
And dust.

2. Help us to follow Christ,
And learn to trust

3. That his forgiveness
Cleanses all our sins –

4. Then we will know the peace
Salvation brings.

Lord,

5. You make us all for love
And loss.

6. Help us to face our lives,
Take up our cross,

7. Serve you in all we meet,
And spread your grace –

8. Then we will share your joy,
And see your face.

References

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

The Lord God formed man of dust from the ground (Genesis 2:7; RSV).

2. Take up your cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23; NLT).

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

4. He will be the source of peace (Micah 5:5; NLT).

5. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:21; NIV).

6. Take up your cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23; NLT).

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

8. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:23; NIV).

They will see his face (Revelation 22:4; NLT).

Work without resentment

Ruth Kirk

1. Help me, Lord,
To work without resentment,

2. Carrying my cross
Without complaint.

3. Then help me, Lord,
To wait on you in silence,

4. So I can serve afresh,
Without restraint.

References

1. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:39-42; NLT).

What gain has he that he toiled for the wind, and spent all his days in darkness and grief, in much vexation and sickness and resentment? (Ecclesiastes 5:17; RSV).

2. Then he said to them all, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NIV).

3. Be silent before the Lord, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NIV).

4. Serve him wholeheartedly (Joshua 24:14; NLT).

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).

We praise your name

Ruth Kirk

1. Father,
May we praise your name –
To love you
Is our highest aim.

2. Jesus,
May we bear our cross –
Ready to accept
Each loss.

3. Spirit,
May we welcome you –
By serving God
In all we do.

4. Mary,
May we know your Son –
Of woman born,
God’s Holy One.

References

1. The Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name (Luke 1:49; NIV).

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (Luke 10:27; NLT).

2. Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24; NLT).

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:21; NIV).

3. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; NLT).

You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him (Luke 4:8; NLT).

4. When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law (Galatians 4:4; NLT).

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35; NLT).