Category: Fear

We share

Ruth Kirk

All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them (John 14:23; NLT).

Just as I am,
My body is yours;
You made me –
And I am your home.

Just as I am,
My thinking is yours;
You know me –
I’m never alone.

Just as I am,
My emotions are yours;
You love me –
And share every fear.

Just as I am,
My spirit is yours,
For you are my God –
And you’re here!

Remember that I am always with you until the end of time (Matthew 28:20; GNT).

References

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NIV).

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

My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

My mind is blank

Ruth Kirk

Last night I woke suddenly from a bad dream, kicking out at someone who was threatening me. As soon as I began to pray, this prayer instantly appeared in my mind. It was as if I had been woken up to hear it. I knew I had to write it down and post it straight away. This prayer is not about me, or my own state of mind, so I quickly realised that it must be for someone else who will read it. I have already prayed for that person.

May your Kingdom come soon…

Lord, my mind is blank,
My heart is numb –
Yet still I pray, and beg:
Your kingdom come.

Lord, my flesh is dust,
My soul is void –
Yet still I pray, and plead:
Your will be done.

Lord, may I rejoice,
Though all seems lost –
Help me to cling to you,
And bear my cross.

…May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; NLT).

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). 

Reference

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

Cling tightly to the LORD your God (Joshua 22:8; NLT).

Never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NLT).

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15; NLT).

Reading: Habakkuk 3:17-19; NLT.

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! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

Contemplation

Ruth Kirk

Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31; NLT).

Just for a little while:

Leave your other thoughts behind,
And love our God with all your mind.

Lay your burdens down, apart:
Then love our God with all your heart.

Set aside your current goal
To love the Lord with all your soul.

Send your fears and failures hence:
Just love the Lord with all your strength.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:30; NLT).

References

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

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honoured by every nation. I will be honoured throughout the world (Psalm 46:10; NLT).

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and i will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

 

It’s okay!

Ruth Kirk

Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT; my emphasis).

At last (aged 73), I am starting to grasp a little more that it’s okay:

  • To look how I look, to think my own thoughts, and to feel how I feel.
  • To be as I am, physically, mentally, neurologically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
  • To be honest with myself, God, and everyone I come into contact with, whilst always trying to do so without being hurtful.
  • To make mistakes, to get things wrong, and to forget things.
  • To make my own choices, to have my own opinions, and to change my mind.
  • To change my behaviour.
  • To be assertive.
  • To offer help, and for my help to be refused.
  • To ask for help, to accept offered help, and to refuse offered help.
  • To grow as a person.
  • To continue my spiritual development.
  • To age, and to decline in physical strength, energy, health, and mental sharpness.

In short: It’s okay to be myself.

Very slowly and cautiously, I’m beginning to feel as if I no longer need to apologise for my existence, because God made me just as I am, and loves me just as I am. So maybe I can even begin to love myself just as I am, as well!

My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10; NLT).

References

Speak the truth with love (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

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

The Father himself loves you (John 16:27; NIV).

 

My pilgrimage

Ruth Kirk

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage (Psalm 84:5; NIV).

My time here is a pilgrimage
From birth, through life, to death,
And you’re in charge at every stage,
Until my final breath.

With dread and agoraphobia
I’ve struggled through the years,
With anguish and anxiety,
Depression, sickness, tears.

I didn’t ask to be alive;
I didn’t want to live;
But, doggedly, I’ve tried to change,
To grow, to love, to give.

And you’ve been with me step by step
Along my troubled way:
Please help me still to cling to you,
Rejoice, give thanks, and pray.

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

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult (Matthew 7:14; NLT).

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).

Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

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

 

A prayer for peace and justice

Ruth Kirk

Pray for peace (Psalm 122:6; NLT).

Seek justice (Isaiah 1:17; NLT).

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; NIV).

We pray for peace and justice here:
In your dear name,
Amen.

For joy to grow, instead of fear:
In your dear name,
Amen.

For love to reign, instead of hate:
In your dear name,
Amen.

Before we leave it far too late:
In your dear name,
Amen.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows (Isaiah 1:17; NLT).

But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken! (Isaiah 1:20; NLT).

References

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine… For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod…

The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

For 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! (Isaiah 9:2, 4-7; NLT).

 

Good morning!

Ruth Kirk

When I wake up, you are still with me!

Good morning, my Maker,
I love you so much!
Thank you for giving me life.
Thank you for leading me
Day after day,
And helping me face every fear.

Good morning, Lord Jesus,
I love you so much!
Thank you for guiding my steps.
Thank you for caring,
Forgiving my sins,
And sharing each failure and tear.

Good morning, dear Spirit,
I love you so much!
Thank you for staying so close.
Thank you for teaching me,
Living within,
And helping me, year after year.

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

References

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning (Psalm 92:2; NLT).

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

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

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

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

We are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

 

In our dreams

Ruth Kirk

He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds (Job 33:15; NLT).

In our dreams, God,
You reveal
The hidden fall-out
Of our past,
And in our dreams, God,
You reveal
Our fears about
What lies ahead.

In our dreams, God,
You reveal
What we must face
Along the way,
And in our dreams, God,
You reveal
Your healing treasures,
Day by day.

I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name (Isaiah 45:3; NLT).

When you fall

Ruth Kirk

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion (Isaiah 40:30; NLT).

The LORD upholds all who fall (Psalm 145:14; NKJV).

Let me catch you
When you fall.
Let me catch you,
One and all:
For my heart
Is full of love,
Streaming down
From heaven above.

Let me bear you
When you rise,
Far beyond
The eastern skies:
There you’ll live
In paradise,
Where all are one
With me, the Christ.

God never meant us to experience the Retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that, alive or dead, we should still live united to him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; JB).

References

After I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me (John 14:1-6; JB).

In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old (Isaiah 63:9; BSB).

We who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17; NLT).

I bear you on eagles’ wings, and bring you in unto Myself (Exodus 19:4; YLT).

Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31; NKJV).

Go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you (Daniel 12:13; NLT).

Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:7-8; NLT).

As the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes (Matthew 24:27; NLT).

 

Clinging

Ruth Kirk

I cling to you …

Please let me cling
To you, my Lord,
Till I can cling
No more;

Then, when I can cling
No more,
May you cling on
To me.

… your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).

References

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

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

Your right hand supports me (Psalm 18:35; NLT).

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