cross – Seeking God's face together

3.9.23: Hear my prayer

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023Ruth Kirk

A few days ago I experienced a precious time of wordless prayer, with these verses only emerging right at the end, which was a huge relief. They were relatively easy to put into words. The final two lines came to me whilst I was showering, so I had to repeat them constantly until I got out and wrote them down.

Hear my prayer, Lord (Psalm 102:1; NIV).

1. Yahweh, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
Hear my prayer, and come to me.
Help me, Lord, to worship you
In blesséd stillness, silently.

2. Yahweh, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
Pity my ineptitude.
Pray on my behalf, I beg you,
As I wait in solitude.

3. Yahweh, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
Here I am, Lord: hear my cry.
Help me to embrace my cross
And follow you, Adonai.

4. Yahweh, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
I am yours in servitude.
Set me free to walk with you
In love, and joy, and gratitude.

Walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God (Ephesians 5:2; CSB).

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).

References

Verse 1:
*I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18; NIV).
*Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10; NLT).
*Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).

Verse 2:
*The Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26; AMP).
*He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf (Hebrews 7:25; NLT).
*For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God (Psalm 62:5-7; RSV).
*Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:14; 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).

Verse 3:
*Here I am (1 Samuel 3:5; NIV).
*In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry (Psalm 119:149; NLT).
*Then he 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).
*I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Verse 4:
*I am yours (Psalm 119:94; NLT).
*O LORD God, I am your servant (2 Samuel 7:25; NLT).
*Although we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our servitude (Ezra 9:9; NET).
*Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free (Psalm 71:2; NLT).

17.7.23: To hold a cross

July 17, 2023Ruth Kirk

After a very demanding day on Saturday, plus a migraine, I slept late yesterday. The migraine continued, so I really didn’t expect to receive a prayer, but God can always surprise me:

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:18; NLT).

1. Just to hold a cross, Lord,
Is to pray,

2. Knowing you are with me
Night and day,

3. Living all around me
And within:

4. I’m safe, Lord, in the shadow
Of your wing.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.
(Psalm 36:7; NLT).

References

Verse 1:
🔻 Take up your cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23; NLT).
🔻Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

Verse 2:
🔻 When I wake up, you are still with me (Psalm 139:18; NLT).
🔻 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).
🔻 Yea, 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).

Verse 3:
🔻 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 327, NIV).
🔻 There is…one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).
🔻 The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; KJV).
🔻 Christ lives within you (Romans 8:10; NLT).
🔻 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (Romans 8:11; NLT).

Verse 4:
🔻 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Ps 61 4 nlt
🔻 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings (Psalm 91:4; NLT).
🔻 Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 63:7; NLT).
🔻 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me (Luke 13:34; NLT).

12.7.23: Believe in God

July 12, 2023Ruth Kirk

These verses emerged yesterday at the end of a period of shining, blissful, timeless prayer. The lines came one by one, and within just a few minutes the initial writing was complete.

You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God – there never has been, and there never will be. I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no other Savior.
(Isaiah 43:10-11; NLT).

1. Believe in God,
And worship Him.
Serve him alone,
And do not sin.

2. Then follow Christ
His only Son.
Take up your cross;
Love everyone.

3. His Holy Ghost
Will fill your soul,
And, flowing out,
Make others whole

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him).
(John 7:37-9; NLT).

References

Verse 1
– You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him (Luke 4:8; NLT).
– Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning (1 Corinthians 15:34; NLT).

Verse 2
– Then he 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 a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone (2 Peter 1:5-7; NLT).

Verse 3
– Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; NLT).
– I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13; NLT).
– I will pour water on the parched ground and cause streams to flow on the dry land. I will pour my spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your children (Isaiah 44:3; NET).

30.6.23: Loss

June 30, 2023Ruth Kirk

This blog came to me during silent prayer last Wednesday morning:

I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.
(Lamentations 3:20; NLT).

1. I pray for all
Who live with loss,
Who, daily, must take up
Their cross,
Facing their heartbreak,
And their tears,
Their desolation,
And their fears.

2. I pray for all
Who live with grief,
Who bear their cross
Without relief,
Facing each trouble
On their own,
Clinging, Lord God,
To you, alone.

I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.
(Psalm 63:8; NLT).

References

Verse 1: I eat ashes as my food, and mingle my drink with tears (Psalm 102:9; NIV).

LORD, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs (Lamentations 1:20; NLT).

I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken (Lamentations 2:11; NLT).

Verse 2: O God, let the voice of my grief come to your ear (Psalm 64:1; BBE).

My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken (Jeremiah 8:18; NLT).

My wound is severe, and my grief is great. My sickness is incurable, but I must bear it (Jeremiah 10:19; NLT).

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul Psalm 31:7; NLT).

Is not all human life a struggle? (Job 7:1; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4; NIV).

The Rosary Hospital

Today’s Fiat rosary. My second bulk order is progressing slowly, but well.

26.6.23: Lonely

June 26, 2023June 26, 2023Ruth Kirk

Yesterday, as so often, a migraine made my constant hot sweats harder than usual to tolerate patiently. I wrote nothing in the morning, and felt depressed, lonely and isolated. Then, at about 4.30pm, to my great surprise, today’s prayer came to me. Reminding me of the only wise way forward, it brought a moment of relief, and even hope, to an otherwise unrelievedly grey day.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted
(Psalm 25:16; NIV).

I am deeply depressed (Psalm 42:6; CSB).

1. Prince of Peace,
I cannot change
How lonely and depressed
I feel,

2. So, instead,
I turn to you,
And beg you, Lord,
Hear my appeal:

3. Strengthen me
To face this daily struggle,
Or my heart
Will break;

4. Help me to accept,
Endure,
And bear my cross,
For your love’s sake.

Then he 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).

References

Verse 1: Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Verse 2: Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help (Psalm 39:12; CSB).

Verse 3: My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word (Psalm 119:28; NIV).

Is not all human life a struggle? (Job 7:1; NLT).

An aching heart breaks the spirit (Proverbs 15:13; HNV).

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

Verse 4: My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NLT).

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will (Hebrews 10:36; NLT).

28.5.23: Take a step

May 28, 2023Ruth Kirk

Christ Pantocrator, a photo of an icon on my bedroom wall, author unknown.

Just as I reached the end of my few spoken prayers yesterday morning, today’s verses began to flow into my mind. I had to postpone falling silent, so I could write them down.

Their rhythm might sound a bit odd if you read them as a poem, but they fit the tune of my favourite childhood Sunday School chorus, “Turn your eyes towards Jesus”. I tried to include a YouTube link to it, but failed.

The original moving, meditative song was written by Helen Lemmel, in 1918. Her words are available on Google, but I don’t want to risk breaching copyright by quoting them here.

Instead, here is a recording of me singing today’s prayer to her tune. Please forgive my weak voice and shortness of breath:

70690685157__3F624E7F-C0B5-49C2-A0FE-80B5D2ADA556

Then he 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).

Take a step towards Jesus,
Turn to his Father, repent,
Then relinquish selfishness,
Take your cross,
And follow the Saviour
God sent.

Christ forgives every trespass,
Taking away all your sin,
Then He sets you free
For abundant life,
As you grow every day
More like Him.

The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

References

Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; NLT).

God so loved the world, that he even gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world should be saved by him (John 3:16-17; LB).

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

As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13; NLT).

We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

22.4.23: When I wake

April 22, 2023Ruth Kirk

Today I’m exhausted, so I’ve chosen a prayer written in happier and more peaceful times to share with you:

When I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:18; NLT).

When I wake, Lord: adoration:
I’m so glad that you are near.
Later on, Lord: intercession,
Knowing that you always hear.

All day long, Lord, is confession:
Sharing every sin with you,
And receiving your forgiveness
For each wrong I think, say, do.

In the evening, Lord, we rest
Together, as I hold your cross.
Then I sleep within your hands:
No sense of pain, or fear, or loss.

Thus, we live, Lord, in communion:
I, a sinner; you, God’s Son,
Delighting in our friendship, Lord,
And sharing everything as one.

No matter what each day may bring,
I know that you, Lord, will be there,
Because we live in unity, through faith,
Hope, love and constant prayer.

Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

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

2.4.23: Starting again

April 2, 2023April 7, 2023Ruth Kirk

Carrying the cross. 2011. Canvas, oil. Artist A.N. Mironov; Wickimedia.

While I was praying yesterday morning I tried so hard to resist having to write this prayer down, but, as always, it won. As an added bonus, the second line of each couplet arrived first, so I had to work backwards!

O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you (Psalm 69:5; NLT).

Jesus, you know all my sins:
Forgive me; let me start again.

I’ll give up all my selfish ways:
Please strengthen me to start anew.

Taking up my cross, I’ll serve:
Enable me to start afresh.

Jesus, you’re my only hope:
Permit me, Lord, to follow you.

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).

References

Forgive all my sins (Psalm 25:18; NLT).

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

Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD (Psalm 25:7; NLT).

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more (Isaiah 43:25; NIV).

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19; NIV).

A reading from Psalm 103:8-14; NLT.

The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

The Rosary Hospital

I was really pleased with how this rosary worked out, but when I trimmed off the excess cord, one junction started to fray. I still glued it, but knew in my heart of hearts that it wasn’t good enough. So I photographed it, then took it to pieces, ready to re-make it tomorrow: even a rosary can “start again”.

25.3.23: Your will

March 25, 2023Ruth Kirk

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Jesus+carries+cross&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image

This prayer came to me yesterday, despite how I’m struggling with migraine and dread at present:

May your will be done (Matthew 6:10; NLT).

May your will be done today, Lord,
In my body, heart and mind;
In my spirit, and my life,
Then all my actions will be kind.

May I call upon your name,
For I am yours, and you are mine.
Fill my thoughts, and words, and deeds,
Till I become your living shrine.

May I know your strength and courage;
Take my hand, for I am blind.
May I trust you, Lord, and share
Your cross today, our souls entwined.

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).

References

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

I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings (Ezekiel 36:27; CEV).

I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants – men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth – blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved (Joel 2:28-32; NLT).

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).

The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).