For God alone, O my soul,
wait in silence (Psalm 62:5; ESV).
The best prayer
Is wordless:
We wait upon God.
The best prayer
Is simple:
We pour out our hearts.
The best prayer
Is honest:
For he will forgive.
The best prayer
Is constant:
As long as we live.
Pray continually
(1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).
Shout to God with joyful praise!
(Psalm 47:1; NLT).
When my heart is full of joy,
May I praise you, Lord, my Friend.
When my heart is full of pain,
May I welcome all you send.
When my heart is full of fear,
May I trust your staff and rod.
When my heart is full of love,
May I worship you, my God.
You must worship the Lord your God
(Matthew 4:10; NLT).
1. Darkness is the same
As light:
Both conceal God
From my sight.
2. Wrapped in shadow,
Dazzling bright,
He guides my spirit,
Day and night.
3. Light and dark
Are just the same:
Both declare
His sacred name,
4. Which cleanses me
Of sin and shame,
And sets my dying heart
Aflame.
References
1. Darkness and light are the same to you (Psalm 139:12; NLT).
He made darkness his covering (Psalm 18:11; NIV).
He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will (1 Timothy 6:16; NLT).
2. He shrouded himself in darkness (2 Samuel 22:12; NLT).
The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment (Psalm 104:2; NIV).
He is clothed in dazzling splendour (Job 37:22; NLT).
The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. this allowed them to travel by day or by night (Exodus 13:21; NLT).
3. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge (Psalm 19:1-2; NIV).
What a holy and awe-inspiring name he has! (Psalm 111:9; NLT).
4. You were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11; NLT).
My days vanish like smoke, my bones burn like glowing embers (Psalm 102:3; NIV).
Everyone will be salted with fire (Mark 9:49; NIV).
Image: Free-Photos, Pixabay
🤎
1. You know me so well, Lord,
And see all I do.
You know me in full,
Having watched, as I grew.
2. You know me so well,
For you hear all I say,
And help me to govern
My tongue every day.
3. You know me so well,
For you read every thought,
And help me to capture each one,
As I ought.
4. You know me so well,
For you sense how I feel.
You live in my heart,
Where you share each ordeal.
5. You know how I suffer,
And help me to cope.
You stay by my side,
Bringing comfort and hope.
6. You know all that happens
To me every day.
You see how I stumble
On your narrow way.
7. You know me completely,
And love me so well,
Although I am nothing –
A frail, empty shell.
8. You always know best,
So I bow to your will,
Accepting whatever you send,
Good or ill.
🤎
References
1. All that I now know is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:12; NLT).
2. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:4; NIV).
The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:6-8; NLT).
3. You perceive my thoughts from afar (Psalm 139:2; NIV).
We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).
4. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7; NIV).
The Lord sees every heart and knows every plan (1 Chronicles 28:9; NLT).
You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).
5. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested (Hebrews 2:18; NLT).
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).
6. The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race (Psalm 14:2; NLT).
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand (Psalm 37:24; NIV).
The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life (Matthew 7:14; NASB).
7. You have searched me, Lord, and you know me (Psalm 139:1; NIV).
He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 103:14; NLT).
Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence! (Psalm 89:47; NLT).
8. God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything (1 John 3:20; NLT).
I send good times and bad times (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad?
(Job 2:10; NLT).
Image: Hans Braxmeier, Pixabay
💛
Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised 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).
1. Repent,
And turn to God.
Open your mind –
Then wait,
Until his Spirit comes
To help you.
2. Repent,
And turn to God.
Open your heart –
Then wait,
Until his Spirit comes
To teach you.
3. Repent,
And turn to God.
Open your soul –
Then wait,
Until his Spirit comes
To cheer you.
4. Repent,
And turn to God.
Open your hands –
Then wait,
Until his Spirit comes
To fill you.
5. Repent,
And turn to God.
Open your eyes –
Then see, and love, and serve
His Son
In all.
💛
References
1. He will give you another Advocate, [Comforter, Encourager, Counsellor] who will never leave you (John 14:16; NLT).
Wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7; NIV).
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26; NLT).
2. The Spirit teaches you everything you need to know (1 John 2:27; NLT).
3. He will give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever (John 14:16; DBY).
4. We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).
5. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NLT).
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT, my emphasis).
Image: Vaishakh Pillai, Unsplash
✙
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).
1. Lord,
You know how worn I am:
Give me your mind,
So I can pray.
2. Lord,
You know how blind I am:
Give me your eyes,
To see the way.
3. Lord,
You know how weak I am:
Give me your strength,
So I may care.
4. Lord,
You know how cold I am:
Give me your heart,
To love, and share.
5. Lord,
You know how spent I am:
Give me your soul,
So I can feel.
6. Lord,
You know how sick I am:
Give me your hands,
So I may heal.
✙
References
1. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NKJV).
We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).
2. When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven (John 17:1; RSV).
3. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isaiah 40:29; NLT).
Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).
4. I will give you a new heart…
5. …and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26; NIV).
I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand (Isaiah 49:4; NLT).
6. Heal the sick, and tell them, “The Kingdom of God is near you now” (Luke 10:9; NLT).
Image: Ruth Kirk
🌺
1. This cross, Lord,
Is my closest friend.
2. I’ll bear it daily
Till life’s end,
3. When I must leave
All things behind –
4. Possessions, body,
Heart and mind –
5. Except my spirit,
Which will soar
6. To join with yours,
For evermore.
🌺
References
1. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27; RSV).
2. 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).
3. God said to him, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?” (Luke 12:20; NLT).
4. I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I depart (Job 1:21; NIV).
5. Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).
We […] will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17; NLT).
6. The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
Image: Lukáš Jančička, Pixabay
✚
1. I dedicate this day to you,
One moment at a time,
For I am yours in heart and soul,
And you, Lord God, are mine.
2. I dedicate this day to you,
Despite my sins and flaws,
For you are mine in joy and pain,
And I, Lord God, am yours.
3. I dedicate this day to you,
My way, my inner shrine,
For I am yours in life and death,
And you, Lord God, are mine.
4. I dedicate this day to you,
I’ll stand up for your cause,
For you are mine eternally,
And I, Lord God, am yours.
✚
References
1. My beloved is mine and I am his (Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).
2. When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:21; NIV).
3. I am the way (John 14:6; NLT).
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain (Hebrews 6:19; RSV).
You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
4. You will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them (Mark 13:9; RSV).
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows (Isaiah 1:17; NLT).
Image:Sabine van Earp, Pixabay
✝️
What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?
(Psalm 116:12; NLT).
I offer you my weak, frail flesh,
Stripped of all the health and strength of youth.
It’s yours already, Lord, for you conceived it,
Yet I have nothing else to give, in truth.
I offer you my damaged mind,
Stripped of all my hopes of paradise.
It’s yours already, Lord, for you ordained it,
But I have nothing else to sacrifice.
I offer you my small, hard heart,
Stripped of all my faith, and peace, and trust.
It’s yours already, Lord, for you assigned it,
Yet I have nothing else to yield, but dust.
I offer you my sinful life,
Stripped of all grace, though you dwell in my soul.
It’s yours already, Lord, for I’m your temple,
But you are the only part of me that’s whole.
Offer every part of yourself to him
(Romans 6:13; NIV).
✝️
Image: Dimitris Vetsikas, Pixabay
✝️
1. Look for the Father
Who dwells deep within,
Stirring our hearts
To repent of our sin.
2. Seek the Messiah
Who comes from above,
Sharing our anguish,
Outpouring his love.
3. Search for the Spirit
Who falls from on high,
Comforting everyone,
Hearing each sigh.
4. Turn to the Godhead
Who lives in us all –
Ask his forgiveness,
And welcome his call.
✝️
References
1. You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
Repent of your sins (Matthew 4:17; NLT).
2. I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me (John 6:38; NLT).
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).
3. The Holy Spirit fell upon them (Acts 11:15; NKJV).
He will give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever (John 14:16; DBY).
Don’t you realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16; NLT).
4. Turn to God (Matthew 4:17; NLT).
In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9; ASV).
We will come and make our home with each of them (John 14:23; NLT).
Perhaps even yet they will turn from their evil ways and ask the Lord’s forgiveness before it is too late (Jeremiah 36:7; NLT).
He calls people (Romans 9:12; NLT).