joy – Seeking God's face together

8.9.23: Follow and worship (updated today)

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023Ruth Kirk

I posted today’s prayer at midnight last night, when it only had seven verses. However, this morning, when I was praying without words, I suddenly received the final couplet, which makes it complete. So that email followers don’t miss this, I’m now posting the final version for their sake.

A thoroughfare will be there – it will be called the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8; NET).

Follow Christ on the way of love:
Worship Him who reigns above.

Learn from Christ on the way of faith:
Worship Him and seek His face.

Talk with Christ on the way of prayer:
Worship Him, our thoroughfare.

Serve with Christ on the way of light:
Worship Him both day and night.

Weep with Christ on the way of pain:
Worship Him who rose again.

Walk with Christ on the way of death:
Worship Him; one final breath

Then rest with Christ when life is past,
And worship Him with joy, at last.

Lord, though I’m on the way of dust,
I’ll worship you with steadfast trust.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3; NIV).

References

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).

You were made from dust, and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:19; NLT).

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

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:1; NLT).

Those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die (Isaiah 57:2; NLT).

8.9.23: Follow and worship

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023Ruth Kirk

My husband is suffering from a virus, and I now have it as well. Yet still God gives, and still I write, though very slowly.

N.B: I posted today’s prayer at midnight, last night, with the first seven verses. However, this morning, when I was praying without words, I suddenly received the final couplet, which makes it complete. So that email followers don’t miss this, I’m reposting the final version again, for their sake.

A highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way (Isaiah 35:8; NIV).

Follow Christ on the way of love:
Worship Him who reigns above.

Learn from Christ on the way of faith:
Worship Him and seek His face.

Talk with Christ on the way of prayer:
Worship Him, our thoroughfare.

Serve with Christ on the way of light:
Worship Him both day and night.

Weep with Christ on the way of pain:
Worship Him whose loss was gain.

Walk with Christ on the way of death:
Worship Him; one final breath

Then rest with Christ when life is past,
And worship Him with joy, at last.

Lord, though I’m on the way of dust,
I’ll worship you with steadfast trust.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3; NIV).

References

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).

You were made from dust, and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:19; NLT).

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

Those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die (Isaiah 57:2; NLT).

7.9.23: Golden darkness

September 7, 2023September 7, 2023Ruth Kirk

Yesterday morning, as I greeted my icons one by one, the first words of this prayer came directly into my mind. These verses attempt to describe experiencing the presence of Christ during wordless prayer: in life, whilst dying, and in paradise. We can dip in and out of this experience until we die, but after death it will be all we know, and all we want to know.

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

Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
(Exodus 20:21; NLT).

1. Golden darkness deep within,
Far from stress, and shame and sin:
Lost in worship, bliss and peace
We rest, in life, with Christ, our Priest.

2. Golden splendour all about,
Letting go of dread and doubt:
Lost in rapture, joy and love
We walk, with Christ, to heaven above.

3. Golden glory all around,
Free from pain, with mercy crowned:
Lost in ecstasy, we soar
To join with Christ, for evermore.

Then, together with them, 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).

References

1: Life

I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches from secret places so that you may know that I am the Lord (Isaiah 45:3; CSB).

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:7; NLT).

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-9; NLT).

We have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God (Hebrews 4:14; NLT).

2: Dying

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them (Luke 2:9; NLT).

Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor (1 Chronicles 16:29; NLT).

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings (Hebrews 10:22; NIV).

Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them (Mark 9:2-3; NLT).

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too” (John 14:1-3; JB).

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).

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

3: Beyond death

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God (Hebrews 1:3; NLT).

He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4; 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).

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).

3.9.23: Hear my prayer

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023Ruth Kirk

A few days ago I experienced a precious time of wordless prayer, with these verses only emerging right at the end, which was a huge relief. They were relatively easy to put into words. The final two lines came to me whilst I was showering, so I had to repeat them constantly until I got out and wrote them down.

Hear my prayer, Lord (Psalm 102:1; NIV).

1. Yahweh, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
Hear my prayer, and come to me.
Help me, Lord, to worship you
In blesséd stillness, silently.

2. Yahweh, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
Pity my ineptitude.
Pray on my behalf, I beg you,
As I wait in solitude.

3. Yahweh, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
Here I am, Lord: hear my cry.
Help me to embrace my cross
And follow you, Adonai.

4. Yahweh, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
I am yours in servitude.
Set me free to walk with you
In love, and joy, and gratitude.

Walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God (Ephesians 5:2; CSB).

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

Verse 1:
*I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18; NIV).
*Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10; NLT).
*Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).

Verse 2:
*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 (Romans 8:26; AMP).
*He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf (Hebrews 7:25; NLT).
*For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God (Psalm 62:5-7; RSV).
*Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:14; NIV).
*Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35; NIV).

Verse 3:
*Here I am (1 Samuel 3:5; NIV).
*In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry (Psalm 119:149; 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).
*I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Verse 4:
*I am yours (Psalm 119:94; NLT).
*O LORD God, I am your servant (2 Samuel 7:25; NLT).
*Although we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our servitude (Ezra 9:9; NET).
*Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free (Psalm 71:2; NLT).

31.8.23: Things I used to do

August 31, 2023August 31, 2023Ruth Kirk

Collecting litter with my beloved electric bike in 2018.

Using my new electric wheelchair in 2023.

Yesterday I woke early, remembering immediately that I would be setting off on a journey today for a hospital trip to the United Kingdom. It will be my first time travelling alone for several years. I’ll be using a wheeled walking frame, so my packing has had to be pared down to the absolute minimum.

Despite feeling slightly anxious, I managed to pray for a while before today’s blog began to emerge. It puts into words the losses I experience as I get older, steadily becoming more limited by my health, energy and mobility issues.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
(Job 1:21; CSB).

Lord,

1. Help me to give up gracefully
The things I used to do,
To offer thanks, and let them go,
Returning them to you.

2. One by one you take my joys,
The things I used to do,
Like walking, cycling, seeing friends –
I yield them all to you.

3. My energy, my health, my strength,
The things I used to do,
They fade and die, but faith remains,
Surrendering to you.

4. Day by day you take away
The things I used to do,
So we draw ever closer,
While I’m coming back to you.

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

References

Verse 1:
*Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).
*Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17; NIV).

Verse 2:
*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! (Habakkuk 3:17; NLT).

Verse 3:
*I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go (John 21:18; NLT).
*Maryam said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of THE LORD JEHOVAH; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38; ABPE).

Verse 4:
*May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; NLT).
*I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).
*Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7; ESV).
*The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:24-5; NIV).

25.8.23. The temple

August 24, 2023August 26, 2023Ruth Kirk

This prayer arrived yesterday during silent contemplation of Jesus’ name. I saw that I would like to be a constant, open channel for the Holy Spirit to act through on earth. However, this would be a very tall order, given all my physical, mental and spiritual limitations.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).

I long to be the temple
Of your Spirit,
Living in your joy, and peace,
And light;
Dwelling in your mercy, love,
And patience;
Staying in your presence
Day and night.

I yearn to be the dwelling
Of your Spirit,
Praying through your wordless sighs
With trust;
Resting in your pity, strength,
And power:
One with you, my Lord,
Though I am dust.

I am only dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27; NAB).

9.8.23: Joy and tears

August 9, 2023Ruth Kirk

This prayer arrived spontaneously whilst I was saying grace before breakfast last Saturday.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

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).

Thank you for the joy of living, Lord,
And for the tears.

Thank you for the joy of striving, Lord,
And for the fears.

Thank you for the joy of loving, Lord,
And for the pain.

Thank you for the joy of dying, Lord,
To rise again.

Those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!
(Isaiah 26:19; NLT).

7.8.22: Dazzled (#1 of 2)

August 7, 2023Ruth Kirk

The Gardener, by George Seurat, metmuseum.org, modified by me.

Today’s prayer is a first, halting attempt to picture and describe what I experienced yesterday morning. Tomorrow I hope to post what followed it later the same day.

A bright cloud covered them with shadow.
(Matthew 17:5; JB).

Dazzled by your light and darkness,
Lord, I meet you, deep within.

Humbled by your loving-kindness,
I bow down to weep, and cling.

Overjoyed by your forgiveness,
I give thanks to you, my King.

Then I worship you with gladness,
In the shadow of your wing.

Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
(Psalm 57:1; NIV).

5.8.23: Living water

August 5, 2023Ruth Kirk

Yesterday morning, this prayer arrived without warning. I scribbled down lots of notes at the time, but it proved very challenging to write.

O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is.
(Psalm 63:1; RSV).

Seek Christ’s living water:
Yes, plead for it each day.
He freely gives: receive his love,
Then he will help you pray.

Seek Christ’s living water,
For it will slake your thirst.
He freely gives: accept his joy,
Then put his kingdom first.

Seek Christ’s living water,
For he makes all things new.
He freely gives: embrace his peace,
Then he will dwell in you.

Seek Christ’s living water,
For he will not condemn.
He freely gives: so share your cup
With all, to comfort them.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; NLT).

References

Verse 1:
* To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life (Revelation 21:6; NLT).

Verse 2:
* Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water… Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:10,14; NLT).

Verse 3:
* He who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5; RSV).
* In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Verse 4:
* God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17; NIV).
* Freely you have received; freely give (Matthew 10:8; NIV).
* Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward (Matthew 10:42; NKJV).
* On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:37-8; RSV).