Category: Doubt

Short and simple

Ruth Kirk

God hears (Genesis 16:11; NLT).

Let your prayers
Be short and simple:
Honest, heartfelt,
Full of love.

God will hear,
Whatever happens:
And will answer
From above.

Let your prayers
Be long and complex:
Anguished, full of
Doubt, or sin.

God will hear,
Whatever happens:
And will answer
From within.

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

References

When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words (Matthew 6:7; NIV).

Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night (Luke 6:12; NLT).

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

 

Wordless sharing

Ruth Kirk

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

In silence,
Lift your hands to God,
And let the Spirit pray
On your behalf.

In stillness,
Lift your mind to God,
And let the Spirit pray
On your behalf.

In gladness,
Lift your heart to God,
And let the Spirit pray
On your behalf.

In darkness,
Lift your soul to God,
And let the Spirit pray
On your behalf.

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. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will (Romans 8:27-8; AMP).

References

Lift up holy hands in prayer, and praise the LORD (Psalm 134:2; NLT).

Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary (Psalm 28:2; NLT).

 

My prayers

Ruth Kirk

Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27; NLT).

Though my prayers are not high-flown,
The only words I use: my own,
Yet, as I struggle, all alone:
You hear me.

Holy One, you won’t disown
My prayers, despite my heart of stone,
For you sent Jesus, to atone:
You see me.

Though my prayers are not full-blown,
You know each stifled sigh and groan,
And though I’m weak, just flesh and bone:
You love me!

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

References

I am nothing (Job 40:4; NLT).

He hears us (1 John 5:14; NLT). 

If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself (2 Timothy 2:13; NIV).

I groan; I sigh [in prayer], and my spirit grows faint (Psalm 77:3; AMP).

The LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought (1 Chronicles 28:9; NLT).

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26; NIV).

We have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world (1 John 2:1-2; NLT).

You are the God who sees me (Genesis 16:13; NLT).

You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD (Psalm 139:4; NLT).

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God (Romans 8:26-7; NIV).

My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God (Job 16:20; NIV).

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

 

Why have you abandoned me?

Ruth Kirk

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).

“Why have you cast me aside?
I’m the servant of all!”

“Why have you left me alone,
And don’t hear when I call?”

“Why have you given me up,
Though my life has been hard?”

“I’ve done the best that I could,
But my way has been barred.”

“Why have you thrown me away?
Father, please heed my cry.”

“Why have you left me behind,
When I’m going to die?”

“Why have you let my hand go
As the end draws so near?”

Jesus, you suffered for us –
And we know you are here.

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NIV).

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:27; NLT).

References:

He has barred my way with blocks of stone (Lamentations 3:1-9; NIV).

Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:29; NLT).

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15; NLT).

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

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

Be sure of this: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

Additional readings:

Isaiah 53
Lamentations 3
Psalm 23
Mark 4
Matthew 14
John 11

 

Here and now

Ruth Kirk

Today’s blog is extra to my usual daily schedule. It is dedicated to all readers who are really struggling with life at present, as I am myself. This is why my posting times have been rather erratic recently. Whatever happens, I will do my very best to keep posting for you every single day. So, let’s just cling to God in the here and now of each storm. NB: I apologise for the number of references, but they are all so precious to me that I couldn’t bear to leave any of them out. I continue to pray for you all. With love from Ruth xxx

Cling tightly to the LORD your God (Joshua 23:8; NLT).

However good or bad things are,
Remember: God is with you, now.

For all that happens comes from God,
Who loves you deeply, here and now.

Accept the joys and griefs life brings:
Take refuge in our God, right now.

Love God, love others and yourself,
Just where you are, and in the now.

The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these (Mark 12:29-31; NLT).

References

My Father! 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).

Cling to your faith in Christ (1 Timothy 1:19; NLT).

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

Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38; NLT).

Be sure of this: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’S faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10; NLT).

Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen (Romans 11:36; NLT).

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

Whatever happens to you, accept it (Sirach 2:4; NJB).

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? (Job 2:10; NIV).

I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; CSB).

I am the one who kills and gives life; I am the one who wounds and heals (Deuteronomy 32:39; NLT).

Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:10; NLT).

Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realise that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NLT).

 

Like You

Ruth Kirk

The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him (Mark 14:1; NLT).

Like You,
When we’re feeling alone,
And in trouble:
We’re still one with God.

Like You,
When we’re grieving, alone,
And in anguish:
We’re still one with God.

Like You,
When we’re dying, alone,
And in torment:
We’re still one with God.

Like You,
When we rise, Lord,
In heaven, forever:
We’re still one with God!

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-3; NIV).

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

References

He began to be deeply distressed and troubled (Mark 14:33; NIV).

He was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44; NLT).

Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face (John 19:1-3; NLT).

The soldiers nailed him to the cross (Mark 15:24; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Mark 15:34; NLT).

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NIV).

The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10; NLT).

Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38; NLT).

Be sure of this: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

I need you

Ruth Kirk

Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13; AMP).

I need you,
And I search for you.

I find you,
And I trust in you.

I serve you,
And I follow you.

I love you,
And I long for you.

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God (Psalm 42:1; NLT).

References 

My God, I trust in you (Psalm 25:2; CSB).

Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God (Psalm 86:2; NLT).

I have given you an example to follow (John 13:15; NLT).

I love you, Lord; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

Keep on seeking, and you will find (Luke 11:9; NLT).

 

God

Ruth Kirk

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? (Psalm 147:4; NLT).

God is strands of shining stars in space.
God is peace and mercy, truth and grace.

God is earth, and sea, and sky, and sun.
God is light and fire in everyone.

God is strength, and joy, and life, and breath.
God is pain, and suffering, and death.

God is deepest darkness filled with love.
God is every cross, and drop of blood.

There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called into one hope when you were called. There is one Savior, one faith, one baptism, one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all and is within all (Ephesians 4:4-6; TIB).

 

Darkness

Ruth Kirk

Moses went into the darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21; BST).

Though darkness can be hard, my child,
And stillness can be tough,

And silence can be very bleak,
And loneliness, so rough;

Yet, darkness will be turned to light,
And stillness, made so good,

And silence will be turned to bliss,
And loneliness, to love.

My God turns my darkness into light (Psalm 18:28, NIV).

I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

References

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

I lie awake, I am like a lonely bird on the housetop (Psalm 102:7; RSV).

Each one of you is a child of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 26-8; TIB).

Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10; NLT).

It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD (Lamentations 3:26; NLT).

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

You turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness (Psalm 30:11; CSB).

 

When I can cling no more

Ruth Kirk

Cling tightly to the Lord your God (Joshua 23:8; NLT).

Lord,
When I can cling to you
No more,
Please bear me in your arms,
Beside your heart.

Lord,
Carry me to heaven
At my death,
To dwell as one with you,
And never part.

They now live forever with God in the Spirit (1 Peter 4:6; NLT).

References

His everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

Your right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).