The Good Shepherd 19th-century stained glass in the church of St Mary & St Giles in memory of John William Spark, curate of the church. James Yardley.
I’m lying awake with a migraine, which gives me an excellent opportunity to publish today’s blog:
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
Inside and outside,
Above and below,
Jesus is with us
Wherever we go.
On our left, on our right,
Up ahead, close behind,
Jesus is present,
And he is so kind.
Longing to help us
Find all that we seek,
Jesus is ready
To strengthen the weak.
Guiding us all with his light
And his crook:
Jesus is with us –
If only we look.
If you lookforme wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13; NLT).
References
Be sure of this: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12; NIV).
Yea, 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).
I’m struggling with depression, fatigue and headaches at present, which makes writing harder. So today I’ve chosen a simple prayer I received a little while ago:
We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).
Be with me, Lord,
In all my thoughts,
Then you and I
Will share one mind.
Be with me, please,
In all I do,
Then my behaviour
Will be kind.
Be with me, Lord,
In all I say,
Then I will grow like you,
God’s Son.
Be with me:
Make my soul your home,
Then we will always live
As one.
God has united you with Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30; NLT).
Context: Today’s prayer arrived early yesterday morning when I woke at around 4am with a migraine. After taking my medications, I sat propped up in bed, alternately dozing and writing. These verses slowly emerged over the course of the day, finishing late in the evening:
What is sweeter than honey? (Judges 14:18; NLT).
What’s sweeter than honey,
And choicer than wine?
Higher than knowledge,
And vaster than time?
What’s brighter than sunlight,
And greater than wealth?
Warmer than friendship,
And finer than health?
What’s stronger than sharing,
And deeper than love?
Kinder than giving,
And richer than blood?
What’s wiser than serving,
And dearer than breath?
Simpler than worship,
And closer than death?
What’s better than living,
And makes us all one?
It’s Christ, our salvation,
God’s dearly-loved Son.
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12; NLT).
This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy (2 Peter 1 17; NLT).
References
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, 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 3:7; NLT).
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).
Your unfailing love is better than life itself (Psalm 63:3; NLT).
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).
Context: As I lay in bed yesterday, after praying, writing, and posting my blog, I picked up my night-cross again, wanting to pray for peace throughout the whole world. I asked God to fill every mind, heart and soul with peace, including:
All those who exercise any kind of power over others’ lives, for example: parents, partners, siblings, classmates, teachers, health staff, civil servants, social workers, priests, managers and supervisors
All those who hurt, criticise, insult, reject, exclude, dominate, bully, threaten, control, exploit, abuse and attack people weaker than themselves
All those with political, military, civil, social, economic, religious and criminal power
Then this short, simple prayer emerged very gently into my mind, making me weep:
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; NIV).
If you can’t be kind,
Be peaceful;
If you can’t be wise,
Seek peace.
If you can’t be fair, Live peacefully –
Remember: God is peace.
If you can’t do good, Be peaceful;
If you can’t give love,
Spread peace.
If you can’t be well, Wait peacefully –
Remember: God is peace.
The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).
References
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace (Psalm 37:37; NIV).
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who proclaims peace (Isaiah 52:7; ABPE).
Make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight (2 Peter 3:14; NLT).
Strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence (2 Peter 3:14; NET).
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14; ESV).
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11; NIV).
Wait patiently fortheLORD (Psalm 27:14; NLT).
I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27; NLT).
God raised Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3; NLT).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
1. You’re born again
Within my mind:
Lord, please help me to be kind.
2. You’re born again
Within my heart:
Jesus, may we never part.
3. You’re born again
Within my soul:
Lord, forgive me; make me whole.
4. You’re born again
Within my flesh:
Jesus, may I start afresh.
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3; NLT).
References
1. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NKJV).
Be kind to each other (Ephesians 4:32; NLT).
2. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:16-17; NIV).
We can live with him forever (1 Thessalonians 5:10; NLT).
3. I will put my Spirit in you (Ezekiel 37:14; NLT).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:19; NIV).
4. Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body? (1 Corinthians 6:15; CSB).
His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:23; NLT).
The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).
Lord,
I pray for peace, not war,
For kindness, Father, evermore,
For self-control in every mind: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
Lord,
I beg for joy, not war,
For patience, Father, evermore,
For gentleness in every heart: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
Lord, I plead for love, not war,
For goodness, Father, evermore,
For faithfulness in every soul: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done (Matthew 6:10; KJV).
