Category: Father

May I walk with you

Ruth Kirk


1. Father,
May I walk with you,
And talk with you
Today.

2. Mary,
May I pray with you,
And stay with you
Today.

3. Jesus,
May I go with you,
And grow with you
Today.

4. Spirit,
May I blaze with you,
And praise with you
Today.

References

1. The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8; NLT).

God talks with man (Deuteronomy 5:24; DBY).

2. They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus (Acts 1:14; NLT).

3. 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).

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

4. What looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4; NLT).

We […] who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:3; NKJV).

Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Luke 10:21; NIV).

Perfection

Ruth Kirk

You are to be perfect,
even as your Father in heaven is perfect
(Matthew 5:48; NLT).

Father,

1. I am far
From your perfection,
With little time still left
To grow like you.

2. Please look on me
With mercy and compassion.
Forgive my sins,
And heal my body, too.

3. Mend my wayward heart,
And mind, and spirit;
Give me time to learn
From your dear Son.

4. Then help me, Lord, to serve
Your sacred kingdom,
For though I’m late, Lord God,
I have begun.

References

1. You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48; NLT).

Remember how short my life is (Psalm 89:47; NLT).

2. You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy (Psalm 86:15; NLT).

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

3. I will heal your wayward hearts (Jeremiah 3:22; NLT).

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me (Matthew 11:29; NIV).

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

When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage (Matthew 20:10; NLT).

Those who are last now will be the first then (Matthew 20:16; NLT).

Trust

Ruth Kirk

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

1. Father,
May I trust in you,
No matter how I feel.

2. Father,
May I cling to you,
When life is an ordeal.

3. Father,
May I walk with you,
And share your warm embrace.

4. Father,
May I rest in you,
Until I see your face.

References

1. Trust in God (John 14:1; NLT).

2. Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13; NIV).

3. O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8; NLT).

So he returned 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).

4. My soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him (Psalm 62:5; NIV).

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NRSV).

God’s presence

Ruth Kirk

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

1. The Father waits within each mind,
For he is patient, good, and kind.

2. The Son of Man lives in each heart,
And pleads with God on our behalf.

3. His Spirit rests within each soul,
To help us when life takes its toll.

4. So, though we cannot understand,
God’s presence can be known firsthand,

5. For he remains within us all,
Though he is great, and we are small.

References

1. The Lord must wait for you to come to him (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

No one is good – except God alone (Mark 10:18; NIV).

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

He [Christ] entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf (Hebrews 9:24; NLT).

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

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

4. How great is God – beyond our understanding (Job 36:26; NIV).

You have shown me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever (Psalm 16:11; NLT).

5. Remain in me, and I will remain in you (John 15:4; NLT).

God is great (Psalm 70:4; NLT).

God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! (Isaiah 40:22; NLT).

Suffering and loss

Ruth Kirk

Pray for all people. Ask God to help them;
intercede on their behalf
(1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

1. Lord,
I pray for all of us
Who suffer:

2. Those yearning for a home,
A job,
A child;

3. Those thirsting for freedom
From fear, abuse,
Or exploitation;

4. Those longing for better health
For others,
Or themselves;

5. And those who ache
For the presence
Of the dead.

6. Please strengthen us
To face each loss;
Console us when we mourn.

7. Help us to find
New hope in you,
And to rebuild our lives

8. By following your much-loved Son,
Who gave up all he had
For us.

Through his dear name,
Amen.

References

1. Pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

2. Forget not your servant but give her a son (1 Samuel 1:11; NIV).

3. The oppressed will be set free (Luke 4:18; NLT).

4. He will heal us (Hosea 6:1; NLT).

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

6. Even when I walk in 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. “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11; NLT).

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me!” (Matthew 4:19; NLT).

8. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being (Philippians 2:6-7; NLT).

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us (1 John 3:16; NLT).

Empty

Ruth Kirk

1. Father God,
I want to pray,
But my mind is empty.

2. Father God,
I want to pray,
But nothing’s in my heart.

3. Father God,
I want to pray,
But my soul is silent.

4. Holy Sprit,
Sigh for me,
And pray on my behalf.

References

1. We do not know how to pray as we ought (Romans 8:26; NRSV).

2. His heart became numb (Genesis 45:26; ESV).

3. Toward God my soul is silent (Psalm 62:1; YLT).

4. The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26; RSV).

Exile

Ruth Kirk
Image: Marko Lovric, Pixabay

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).