It’s not lonely

As my life was fading away, I remembered the Lord,
and my prayer came to you, in your holy temple.
(Jonah 2:7; CSB). 

We all fade like a leaf (Isaiah 64:6: ESV).

1. Father,
It’s not lonely as we fade:
Even when no one comes,
You hear our cry.

2. Father,
It’s not lonely as we ebb:
Even if no one cares,
You share each sigh.

3. Father,
It’s not lonely as we yield:
Even though no one helps,
You soothe our fear.

4. Father,
You receive our final breath:
Dancing beside you,
Paradise starts here.

🖤

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you,
today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43; NIV).

 


References

1. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38; NLT).

The Lord hears the cries of the needy (Psalm 69:33; NLT). 

2. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7; NLT). 

You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh (Psalm 38:9; NLT). 

3. I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV). 

He helps me (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

4. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NIV).

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

 


 

Remembrance Day

Nation will go to war against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom.
(Matthew 24:7; NLT). 

I pray for all
Who go to war:
They suffer fear, like you;

For all whose lives
Are scarred by war:
They know your anguish, too.

I pray for all those
Crushed by war:
They share your pain, dear Lord;

For all those
Who are killed by war:
Each lonely death, like yours.

♥️

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
(Mark 15:34; NLT).

 


You’re here (#2 of 2 linked prayers)


He made darkness his hiding place
(Psalm 18:11; BSB).

You’re here, Lord, in my darkness:
You share it every day.

You’re present in the loneliness
I face along your way.

You’re here, Lord, in my silence:
A place I know too well.

You’re present in the weariness
Which locks me in this cell.

You’re here, Lord, in my weakness;
My wretchedness; my pain.

You’re even in my emptiness:
For I am your domain.


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

_____________________________

Share my darkness (#1 of 2 linked prayers)


Pray about everything
(Philippians 4:6; NLT). 

I want to share my darkness, Lord,
With you throughout today –
My foolishness; my ignorance;
My weakness, and my sin.

I want to share my emptiness
With you, Lord, all day long –
My brokenness; my barrenness;
My silence deep within.

I want to share my loneliness
With you, Lord, day by day –
My weariness; my suffering;
My sorrow, and my pain.

I want to share my littleness
With you, Lord, every day –
My worthlessness; my nothingness:
Then I won’t live in vain.

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

___________________________________

In the darkness

If you are walking in darkness,
without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
and rely on your God
(Isaiah 50:10; NLT).

Lord,
You’re in the darkness
That surrounds me:
I rejoice to have you
As my guide.

Lord,
You’re in the sorrow
That afflicts me:
I delight to journey
By your side.

Lord,
You’re in the loneliness
That fills me:
I exult to know you
As my friend.

Lord,
You’re in the silence
That engulfs me:
So I’m content to stay here,
Till my end.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him
(Psalm 62:5; ESV).


Underneath our troubles

Underneath you are his eternal arms
(Deuteronomy 33:27; NET).

1. Underneath our troubles,
When we must face the test
Of worry, fear, or loneliness:
Lord, may we find your rest.

2. Underneath our sorrows,
When we live with the pain
Of anguish, loss, or suffering:
May we find hope again.

3. Underneath our questions,
When we go far astray
Through error, sin, or unbelief:
Lord, may we find your way.

4. Underneath our burdens,
When we approach each chore
With heavy heart, or weariness:
May we find peace, once more.

Keep on seeking and you will find
(Matthew 7:7; NLT).

References

1. My life is full of troubles (Psalm 88:3; NLT).

The Lord tests the heart (Proverbs 17:3; NLT).

I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

2. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

You care about the anguish of my soul (Psalm 31:7; NLT).

I will put my hope in God (Psalm 42:5; NLT).

3. They finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious leaders, listening to them and asking questions (Luke 2:46; NLT).

I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief! (Mark 9:24; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way” (John 14:6; NLT).

4. Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give (John 14:27; NIV).

Leading me out

Image: Jirí Rotrekl, Pixabay


🖤

He will lead me out into the light; 

I will experience firsthand his deliverance 
(Micah 7:9; NET).

1. Thank you for leading me,
Time after time,
Out of my darkness, Lord,
Into your light.

2. Thank you for leading me,
Day after day,
Out of my weakness
And into your might.

3. Thank you for leading me,
Week after week,
Out of my loneliness,
Into your feast.

4. Thank you for leading me,
Month after month,
Out of my fears, Lord,
And into your peace.

5. Thank you for leading me,
Year after year,
Out of my sinfulness,
Into your love.

6. Thank you for leading me,
When death draws near,
Out of my pain,
Into heaven above.

💛

No escape


Image: ashbrauw, Pixabay


🖤

In all their suffering he also suffered
(Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

🖤

1. There’s no escape
From suffering,
Unless we face it all
With Christ.

2. There’s no relief
From wretchedness,
Until we place it
In his hands.

3. There’s no time out
From loneliness,
Unless we share
His sacrifice.

4. There’s no release
From agony,
Except with Christ,
Who understands.

🖤


References

1. Days of suffering torment me (Job 30:27; NLT).

If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT).

2. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? (Romans 7:24; NIV).

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

3. You have taken away my companions and my loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away (Mark 14:50; NLT).

We know what real love us because Jesus gave up his life for us (1 John 3:16; NLT).

Let us also go, that we may die with him (John 11:16; NIV).

4. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony (Psalm 6:2; NLT).

My spirit is poured out in agony (Lamentations 2:11; NLT).

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do (Hebrews 4:15; NLT).

In darkness

Image: Pexels, Pixabay


🤎

If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord and rely on your God
(Isaiah 50:10; NLT). 

🤎💛🤎

Lord,
You’re here, in darkness,
To embrace me –
I rejoice to have you
As my guide.

Lord,
You’re here, in sorrow,
To console me –
I delight to journey
At your side.

Lord,
You’re here, in suffering,
To heal me –
I exult to have you
As my friend.

Lord,
You’re here, in hardship,
To enfold me –
So I’m content to stay here
Till my end.

🤎💛🤎💛🤎

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies
(Psalm 103:2-4; NLT).

In loneliness

Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).


1. In loneliness,
I search, Lord, for your presence.

2. In weakness, Lord,
I long to sense your might.

3. In silence, Lord,
I yearn to hear you speaking.

4. In darkness, Lord,
I wait to see your light.


References

1. I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof (Psalm 102:7; NLT).

Seek his presence continually (Psalm 105:4; RSV).

2. Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak (Psalm 6:2; NLT).

Seek the Lord and his strength (Psalm 105:4; RSV).

3. Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).

Listen to his voice (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

4. Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning (Psalm 130:6; NIV).