Category: faith

2.12.23: Faith, hope and love

Ruth Kirk

My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? (Psalm 22:1; NIV).

When faith has ebbed,
And hope is gone,
And love is broken
On the cross,

We’ll see your face,
Receive your kiss,
And feast, as you
Bring joy from loss.

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NLT).

References

These three remain: faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NIV).

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4; NLT).

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5; NKJV).

God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).

26.11.23: These three reman

Ruth Kirk

These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:13; NIV).

These three remain:
Faith, hope and love,
For all the rest is dross.

These three remain:
Faith, hope and love,
In anguish, grief, and loss.

These three remain:
Faith, hope and love,
Yet Christ is greater still –

Because He gave
His life for us,
When He obeyed God’s will.

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
(Matthew 26:42; NLT).

References 

Yes, 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; NLT).

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV). 

At three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) (Mark 15:34; NIV).

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). 

Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live (Galatians 1:4; NLT).

He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone (1 Timothy 2:6; NLT). 

25.11.23: Your holy face (for J.Y.)

Ruth Kirk

Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
(Luke 24:31; NLT).

Faith remains, for now,
But when it’s lost, Lord,
May we recognise
Your presence.

Hope remains, for now,
But when it fades, Lord,
May we understand
Your grace.

Love remains, for now, 
But when it’s crushed, Lord,
May we comprehend
Your passion.

Life remains, for now,
But when it’s done, Lord,
We will see
Your Holy Face.

I will see you face to face and be satisfied.
(Psalm 17:15; NLT). 

References

These three remain: faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

At three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) (Mark 15:34; NIV).

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).

Now we see through a glass darkly. But then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I am known (1 Corinthians 13:12; CPDV).

They will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads (Revelation 22:4; NLT).

19.11.22: Faith (for P.)

Ruth Kirk

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

Father, you cherish me,
Jesus, you ransom me,
Spirit, you counsel me:
Teach me your way.

Father, I worship you,
Jesus, I follow you,
Spirit, I trust in you:
Help me to pray. 

Father, you nurture me,
Jesus, you shepherd me,
Spirit, you comfort me:
Show me your face.

Father, I live in you,
Jesus, I walk with you,
Spirit, I welcome you:
Strengthen my faith. 

✝️  “If you possibly can, have pity on us and help us.” “If I possibly can!'” replied Jesus; “why, everything is possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe: strengthen my weak faith” (Mark 9:22-4; WNT). 

10.11.23: Faith, hope and love

Ruth Kirk

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

Thank you for the faith you give me:
This is such a precious gift.

Thank you for the hope you give me:
May your coming, Lord, be swift.

Thank you for the love you give me:
Greater, still, than all the rest.

Thank you for the help you give me:
Side by side, we’ll face each test.

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).

7.11.23: A love-letter

Ruth Kirk

This prayer came to me in the middle of the night, when I looked out of my bedroom window. I couldn’t sleep, because the day before we had made an offer for a small, wheelchair-accessible bungalow in a nearby town.

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB). 

My beloved Father,

As long as I have this beautiful view from my room, I feel I can cope with whatever life brings. Yet I will lose it soon, for we must move.

As long as I can write, and post prayers on my website, I feel my life has a purpose. But I already know that one day, at a time of your choosing, you will stop giving me any more prayers.

As long as I have my much-loved icons around me, I feel I can face whatever losses and suffering you send. However, even these icons will have to be left behind one day. Then, no matter what comes, I must go on without their help.

As long as I can pray, I feel that my life is worth living, because I can experience your presence, no matter what I have to endure. Nevertheless, I realise that I won’t necessarily always be able to pray.

Lord, as I grow older, more unwell, forgetful and disabled, my life is slowly reducing to the absolute essentials of faith, hope, and love. These I will consciously cling to for as long as I possibly can. Yet even when I can cling no longer, whatever happens, I know that nothing can ever separate me from your love, because:

From the beginning, long before my life began, for as long as it continues, and eternally, beyond my death, I am part of you, my God, and I am one with you.

Thank you, beloved Lord, that nothing can ever take this truth away.

For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, 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 8:38-9; NLT).

References…

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

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

There is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding (Job 32:8; GWT).

Then he [Jesus] breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22; NLT).

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (Romans 8:11; NLT). 

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

…and further references 

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18; NLT).

I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go (John 21:18; NLT).

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

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

I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT). 

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him (Job 13:15; KJV).

27.10.23: Peace

Ruth Kirk

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward humankind (Luke 2:14; NHEB). 

I pray for peace on earth, Lord God:
Please free us from our past.

In every mind, and heart, and soul,
Please give us peace at last.

In every home, and every school,
And every workplace, too,

In every village, town and city,
Help us start anew.

Between all nations, tribes and states,
Of every faith, and none,

I pray for peace in every heart, Lord God:
Thy will be done.

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; RSV).

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation (Luke 11:4; NLT). 

20.10.23: Please teach us

Ruth Kirk

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).

Please teach us
Full repentance, Lord,
For all we’ve done,
And failed to do.
Then we will live
In total freedom
Here, on earth,
Dear Lord, with you.

Please teach us
Full acceptance, Lord,
Of all you give,
And all you take.
Then we will live
Abundantly
In heaven on earth, Lord,
For your sake.

Please teach us
Full assurance, Lord,
That we, like you,
Will rise again.
Then we will live
With thankful hearts,
And bow, rejoicing,
At your name.

God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11; NLT). 

12.8.23: Seek us

Ruth Kirk
The Good Shepherd, by Theodore de Bry; Dutch: metmuseum.org.

This prayer came to me a few days ago, as I prayed before my favourite icon:

The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
(Luke 19:10; NLT). 

Lord,

Seek us when we turn away
And lose our faith in you:
Please bring us gently back again
And let us start anew.

Save us when we turn aside
And stumble, slip, or fall:
Forgive us; guide us back again –
Lord, hear us when we call.

Help us when we turn from you
In rage, grief, or despair:
Encourage us to lean on you,
And trust, Lord, in your care.

They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.
(Psalm 112:7; NLT).

Readings

Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! (Lamentations 5:21; NLT).

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! (Matthew 18:12-13; NLT).

Who among you fears the LORD and listens to his servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God (Isaiah 50:10; CSB).

They will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 10:20; NAB).

8.9.23: Follow and worship (updated today)

Ruth Kirk
Hans: Pixabay

I posted today’s prayer at midnight last night, when it only had seven verses. However, this morning, when I was praying without words, I suddenly received the final couplet, which makes it complete. So that email followers don’t miss this, I’m now posting the final version for their sake.

A thoroughfare will be there – it will be called the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8; NET).

Follow Christ on the way of love:
Worship Him who reigns above.

Learn from Christ on the way of faith:
Worship Him and seek His face.

Talk with Christ on the way of prayer:
Worship Him, our thoroughfare.

Serve with Christ on the way of light:
Worship Him both day and night.

Weep with Christ on the way of pain:
Worship Him who rose again.

Walk with Christ on the way of death:
Worship Him; one final breath

Then rest with Christ when life is past,
And worship Him with joy, at last.

Lord, though I’m on the way of dust,
I’ll worship you with steadfast trust.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3; NIV).

References 

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

You were made from dust, and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:19; NLT).

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

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:1; NLT).

Those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die (Isaiah 57:2; NLT).