Category: heart

1.10.23: Open to God

Ruth Kirk
Myriam’s-Fotos: Pixabay.

Yesterday, I woke in plenty of time to pray before breakfast, but God had a better plan, and gave me these verses instead.

Pray continually.
(1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

Prayer doesn’t have to be hard:
We are all in God’s hands.
Speaking, or silent, or weeping:
The Lord understands.

Let’s open our thoughts and our feelings
To Jesus, who cares,
Trusting His Spirit within us
To fashion our prayers.

She intercedes for us,
Sighing and pleading, with tears.
Yahweh is listening,
And waiting to help with our fears.

No matter what happens,
Let’s open our hearts without cease,
Communing with Christ, who is longing
To give us His peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
(John 14:27; NIV).

18.9.23: Saint Raphael

Ruth Kirk
Icon of the Archangel Raphael

What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.
(Hebrews 1:13; GNT). 

Saint Raphael,
Please pray for us:
The sick in body,
Mind, heart, soul,

And beg the Lord
To send you
With his healing touch,
To make us whole.

God sent me…to cure you
(Tobit 12:13-14; GNTA).

Note

Saint Raphael the Archangel is the Patron Saint of healing, who serves God by restoring people in body, mind, heart and soul.

2.9.23: Back to you

Ruth Kirk
Annunciation by Maestro Daddesco: Creative Commons.

Yesterday I returned home late in the evening,  exhausted after a hospital trip to the United Kingdom, so for today I’ve picked this little prayer from my precious store of unused pieces.

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

Call my mind, Lord,
Back to you,
For it is yours alone.

Call my heart, Lord,
Back to you,
For it is all your own.

Call my soul, Lord,
Back to you,
When every day is done.

Call my spirit
Back to you, Lord,
When my race is run.

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

1.9.23: Pray (with thanks to P.M.)

Ruth Kirk
jplenio: Pixabay.

Yesterday morning I asked the members of my spiritual family to pray for me during my hospital trip in the UK . One messaged me straight back with a kind note which included the following symbols: 🙏💖. These were put into words by my iPad as, “Pray, sparkling heart”.

As soon as I read this, a prayer began to form in my mind, though it proved extremely difficult to write. I worked on it all morning in bed, during my ferry crossing, then in my hotel bedroom, until it was finished at last. I would like to dedicate it to my friend, P.M., to thank her for the amazing inspiration she sent me, as well as for her prayers.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).

Pray, fragile flesh,
Both now, and forever:
Let’s pray to our Father,
Though we’re only clay.

Pray, fearful mind,
Throughout each endeavour:
Let’s plead with our Maker,
In darkness, and day.

Pray, sparkling heart,
Both now, and forever:
Let’s follow our Father,
Who lights up The Way.

Pray, shining soul,
Throughout each endeavour:
Let’s worship our Maker,
And never delay.

Pray in His Spirit,
Both now, and forever:
Let’s pray, and rejoice, and give thanks –
Come what may.

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). 

Reference

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-7; NRSV).

27.8.23: My heart returns

Ruth Kirk
cowins: Pixabay.

The very moment I began to pray early yesterday morning, these verses hijacked me completely.

Sinners will return to you (Psalm 51:13; ESV). 

Lord,
My heart returns to you
Each day when I awake,
For you are Christ, the King of kings,
Who suffered for my sake.

Lord,
My mind returns to you
Each day as it grows light,
For you love all, so even I
Am precious in your sight.

Lord,
My gaze returns to you
Each day: I persevere
In seeking out your Spirit,
For I know that you are near.

Lord,
My soul returns to you
Each day until my death,
Then we will reunite at last,
For I, Lord, am your breath.

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV). 

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV). 

22.8.23: The Way of Holiness

Ruth Kirk
Hans: Pixabay.

You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence (Acts 2:28; NLT). 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Please fill my body with your presence.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Please flood my mind with constant prayer.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Please charge my heart with love for others.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Please make my soul your thoroughfare.

The dry soil will become a pool of water, the parched ground springs of water. Where jackals once lived and sprawled out, grass, reeds, and papyrus will grow. A thoroughfare will be there – it will be called the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:7-8; NET).

lassensurf: Pixabay.

20.8.23: A dedication (#2 of 2)

Ruth Kirk
Capilladeadoracion: Pixabay.

Today’s blog is the group version of, “A dedication (#1 of 2)”, which I posted on the 13th of August. If you would like to check out that earlier, individual prayer, here is a link:
https://wp.me/p45bCr-eSN.

May your kingdom come.
(Luke 11:2; GNT).

Father,
May your kingdom come
In every life,
To make us one.

Jesus,
May your will be done
In every mind,
Till we are one.

Spirit,
May your pity dwell
In every heart:
Please make us one.

Yahweh,
May your mercy reign
In every soul,
Then we’ll be one.

Saviour,
May your kingdom come
Throughout this world:
Your will be done.

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

13.8.23: A dedication (#1 of 2)

Ruth Kirk
dodo71: Pixabay.

Today’s prayer arrived last Friday morning. As I worked to put it into words, it divided into two: one version for personal use, and one for groups. Here is the personal version, which came first. I plan to post the second in a week’s time, God willing.

May your kingdom come.
(Luke 11:2; GNT).

The kingdom of God is within you.
(Luke 17:21; NKJV).

Father,
May your kingdom come
Within my body:
Make us one.

Jesus,
May your will be done
Within my mind,
Till we are one.

Spirit,
May your kingdom come
Within my heart,
So we’ll be one.

Three-fold God,
Your will be done
Within my soul,
Then we’ll be one. 

The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
(1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).

2.8.23: I lift my mind

Ruth Kirk
The Supper at Emmaus, by Velázquez, 1622-23: metmuseum.org.

Today, I’ve dipped into my storehouse for this, one of my favourite poems:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.
(Psalm 37:7; NIV). 

When I lift my mind in stillness,
Lord, I feel your Spirit stir;

When I lift my heart in darkness,
Lord, I see your perfect light;

When I lift my soul in silence,
Lord, I hear your still, small voice –

And I recognise your presence:
Then, with thanks, Lord, I rejoice.

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.
(Luke 24:31; NIV).

Rosary Hospital news

My old five-decade rosary is in poor condition, so I finally managed to make myself a new one out of some of the bits and pieces left over in my bead-trays.

29.7.23: I love you

Ruth Kirk
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, by Robert Walter Weir: metmuseum.org.

This prayer overtook me yesterday whilst I was praying very sleepily, straight after waking up. It virtually wrote itself, which was an amazing experience.

Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.
(Luke 22:42; NLT).

Father,

I love you –
May your will be done.

Then, may I accept it
Like your Son.

Thank you for all you send,
Both “good” and “bad”.

In sickness, grief and pain
May I be glad,

And keep on serving.
Lord, may I grow like Christ,

Making my life
A willing sacrifice –

For this is my heart’s desire;
My only plea.

Father, I love you –
Thank you for loving me.

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