Category: forgiveness

I’m not asking

Ruth Kirk

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…

Spirit,
I’m not asking you
To teach me how to pray:
Instead, please pray on my behalf
For all those who are ill.

Spirit,
I’m not asking you
To tell me what to say:
Instead, please intercede for them
According to God’s will.

…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 8:26-7; AMP).

References 

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT). 

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

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

If you have faith when you pray for sick people, they will get well. The Lord will heal them, and if they have sinned, he will forgive them (James 5:15; CEV). 

Nothing to hide

Ruth Kirk

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

I’ve got nothing to keep from you;
Nothing to hide:

You know all my weaknesses,
Yet you don’t chide.

I tell you my failings –
It’s easy to share,

For I trust in your mercy, forgiveness,
And care.

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you (Hosea 14:8; NLT).

References 

Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely (Psalm 139:4; NIV). 

He knows the secrets of every heart (Psalm 44:21; NLT). 

I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever (Psalm 52:8; NLT).

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

Strengthen us

Ruth Kirk

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation (James 1:2; NLT). 

Strengthen us, Lord,
To endure
What you send,

Whilst praying
For others
Until our life’s end;

Seeking forgiveness
And healing
For all,

And pleading:
May everyone, Lord,
Hear your call. 

The Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7; NLT).

References 

Verse 1:
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).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).
The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).

Verses 2-3:
Pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

Verse 4:
God our Savior… wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4; NLT).
Christ Jesus… gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone (1 Timothy 2:5-6; NLT).

A reading from Isaiah 53:10-12; JB. 

Yahweh has been pleased to crush him with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what Yahweh wishes will be done.

His soul’s anguish over he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself. 

Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute, he shall divide the spoil with the mighty, for surrendering himself to death and letting himself be taken for a sinner, while he was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners.

Redemptive suffering: #2

Ruth Kirk

This is part two of a short series on redemptive suffering, which began yesterday. If you missed the first, introductory blog, and would like to read it, here is a link: https://wp.me/p45bCr-gsV.

Unusually, today’s prayer includes a space for the names of people you would like to pray for individually, whilst also interceding for all those suffering around the world.

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). 

Lord,

Thank you for this suffering.
I willingly accept it
From your hands.

I offer it as a sacrifice
For the forgiveness, healing
And redemption of [names],

And of all
Who need your help
Around the world.

I ask this
In your own dear name,
Amen.

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21; AMP).

References

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion (Psalm 103:2-4; NLT).

Arriving in heaven

Ruth Kirk

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:3; NIV). 

Jesus,

In your loving arms
All suffering is healed,
In mind and body, heart and soul:
Here, nothing is concealed.

Your mercy and forgiveness flow:
You know how hard we’ve tried.
You’ve watched our sins and failures, Lord;
You’ve seen our foolish pride.

You’ve shared in all our sorrows,
And rejoiced in each success –
But now, your only mission
Is to comfort, heal, and bless.

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! (Psalm 103:3-5; NLT). 

Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).

2.2.24: Peace and plenty

Ruth Kirk
Alexas_Fotos: Pixabay.

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it (Psalm 34:14; NLT). 

I pray for peace
And plenty, Lord,
For all to share
Throughout the earth;

For love, and joy,
And faithfulness:
A place where everyone
Has worth.

I pray for care
And kindness, Lord,
Compassion,
And equality;

Forgiveness, mercy,
Self-control –
And then, at last,
All will be free.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed (Isaiah 61:1; NLT).

References 

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

31.1.24: What will I need? (for J.Y.)

Ruth Kirk
Tymco: Pixabay; modified by RK.

He told them: “Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt” (Luke 9:3; NIV). 

What will I need for my journey, Lord God?
What should I ask for, and pack?
Just take my love and my kindness, dear child,
For then you will never look back. 

What will I need for my lifetime, Lord God?
What should I carry along?
Just take my courage and wisdom, dear child,
For then you will never go wrong. 

What will I need when I’m dying, Lord God?
How shall I face the dark vale?
Just take my peace and my patience, dear child:
My Spirit will not let you fail.

What will I need back in heaven, Lord God,
When my long testing is done?
Only my grace and forgiveness, dear child,
My healing, my kiss, and my Son.

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered (Luke 22:35; 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).

References 

Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness] (Genesis 1:28; AMP).

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart (Job 1:21; NIV).

The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:3; NLT).

23.1.24: When?

Ruth Kirk
Wood and trees: Ruth Kirk.

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

When will I know
Your presence again;
Your inner peace,
And your warm embrace?

When will I see
Your glory again;
Your wounded hands,
And your precious face?

When will I feel
Your pardon again;
Your healing touch,
And your faithful love?

When will I find
Your grace again:
On earth, Lord God,
Or in heaven, above?

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

References 

My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God? (Psalm 42:2; AMP).

I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn (Psalm 130:6; NLT).

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11; NLT). 

4.1.24: Start again

Ruth Kirk
AdinaVoicu: Pixabay.

I still dare to hope when I remember this: the faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:21-3; NLT). 

Commit to God afresh
Each day:
Just start again
Each time you wake.

Confess, repent,
Return to him;
Ask his forgiveness –
Don’t be fake.

Try hard to give up
Selfishness;
Take up your cross
For Jesus’ sake.

Then follow him
Through good and ill,
Serving in all
You undertake.

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17; NLT).

References 

Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17; NLT). 

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).

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). 

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40; NIV).