The Healing of the Blind Man and the Raising of Lazarus Date: first half 12th century (possibly 1129–34), metmuseum.com.
This prayer arrived when I was praying without words very sleepily last Saturday morning. Having just learned how to make videos here after 10 years of using WordPress every day, here is a recording of it, in case that’s better for you than print: IMG_3546
We praise you, Lord (Psalm 21:13; GNT).
We praise you, Lord,
And worship you;
We learn from you,
And follow you;
Believe in you,
And long for you: Our Teacher.
We love you, Lord,
And serve with you;
We trust in you,
Rejoice in you;
Depend on you,
And pray to you: Our Master.
We grieve with you,
And yield with you;
Accept with you,
Endure with you;
We suffer and unite
With you, Our Saviour.
He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:6; NLT).
References
You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).
Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! (Luke 17:13; NLT).
Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:11; NLT).
Something extra
Here is a link to a gallery of photos which tell the story of a beautiful, short walk we enjoyed last Saturday. I apologise for having messed up my sharing of this yesterday, and hope it will work properly. I can’t claim to be a mistress of technology! Just click on the live link if you would like to view it: https://wp.me/P45bCr-eaC.
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:
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).
This prayer came to me early last Thursday morning for the lovely friend to whom it is dedicated.
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).
May this narrow path of sickness
Bring some good to those I meet.
As you help me bear my anguish,
May they trust, and start to pray.
May this narrow path of sorrow
Bring some good to those I greet.
As you help me face my passion,
May they follow you each day.
May this narrow path of hardship
Bring some good to those I join.
As you help me sense your presence,
May they come to share your way.
I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News (Philippians 1:12; NLT).
References
Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:14; NIV).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).
The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22; NLT).
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 mysins (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”.
Pastel representation of Turin shroud image of the face of Jesus. Reproduced with kind permission of the artist.
During a video call yesterday, a friend introduced me to some of the artwork in his study, including the beautiful picture above, which was made by someone he knows personally. I asked if I could use it, and he very kindly obtained permission from the artist for me to share it with you.
Make your way plain for me to follow (Psalm 5:8; NLT).
May I follow your way,
Offer your love,
Live in your presence,
And pray without cease;
Shine with your light,
Blaze with your fire,
Trust in your Spirit,
And rest in your peace.
The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).
References
God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).
God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).
The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
The Rosary Hospital
I’m excited to be slowly making my first little box of rosaries for people who attend church missions. Here are two I’ve made in the the last few days. The one at the back is very chunky, intended for someone with sight difficulties, or loss of sensation in their hands or fingers. The centrepiece shows a picture of Sainte Thérèse, who is also known as the Little Flower:
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 to follow Christ In every thought,
Through gain and loss
To serve him as I ought,
And always keep on praying,
As he taught –
For he is all to me,
Though I am naught.
I want to follow Christ In all I say,
Through weakness, sin and failure,
Come what may,
And always keep on thanking him
Each day –
For Jesus is my life, my truth,
My way.
I want to follow Christ In all I do,
Through grief, and pain and sorrow,
Sickness, too,
By sharing in the suffering
He knew –
For all he preached and promised us Is true.
All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true (1 John 5:10; NLT).
I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true (John 18:37; NLT).
References
We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).
The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; NLT).
I am nothing (Job 40:4; NLT).
Speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT).
Since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; 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).
The Rosary Hospital
Today I am full of rejoicing, because I’ve been given a steady outlet for my rosaries. Please celebrate this with me!
It’s been a rather eventful few days. Last week I found a lump on my sternum, so I arranged to see a doctor on Monday. He also found a swollen lymph node in the armpit on my mastectomy side. These symptoms need to be checked out, so I had a chest X-ray on Tuesday, and now have an appointment at the Breast Clinic for next Monday.
Then, on Tuesday, after a whole year of medical tests, I separately received a diagnosis of Autonomic Neuropathy, which is complicated by having a very slow heartbeat. I’ll be trying a drug treatment first, but if it doesn’t help, or proves intolerable, I’ll need to have a pacemaker fitted.
I’ve already said, “Yes”, to God, and given thanks for all these things. Next week I will hopefully be able to report back on what happens at the clinic.
Meanwhile, here is a prayer which came to me in the night after receiving my diagnosis:
If the Son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36; NLT).
Lord,
Though I am ill,
I’m truly free:
Free to love you,
Just as you love me;
Free to bear my cross, And follow you:
Lord, there’s nothing else
I’d rather do.
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
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).
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).
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 wanted today’s blog to be about what I learned this morning in prayer, but it’s been another demanding day, and I’m very fatigued at present, so I haven’t had enough time to finalise the writing. However, I’m looking forward to sharing it with you when the time is right. Instead, here is a poem I wrote a little while ago:
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord (Lamentations 3:40; KJV).
Lord God,
I want to start afresh:
To turn from
My self-centred ways,
To love you, Lord,
In everyone,
And try to grow like Christ,
Your Son.
Lord God,
I want to start again:
To do my best to serve
And pray,
To wrestle with
Each chronic sin,
To bear my cross,
And follow Him.
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).
