Category: Lord

27.9.23: Heaven

Ruth Kirk
trestletech: Pixabay.

This prayer arose spontaneously out of my silence yesterday, resolving my long-standing fear of having to meet my mother again one day, in heaven.

My mother is a part of me,
And I, Lord, am a part of her.
Despite the suffering she caused,
Our primal linkage will endure.

Lord, I’ve forgiven her abuse –
Through prayer, I’ve let it go, at last.
I understand her suffering,
Her rage, her devastating past.

I used to dread that I would have
To meet her when my race is run.
But now I know she cannot hurt me
Any more, for we’ll be one

In you, the God who heals us all.
No harm will come to me, just good,
For when you take me in your arms,
I’ll meet my mother in your love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
(1 John 4:16; NLT).

References

None will harm or destroy another on My entire holy mountain, for the land will be as full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is filled with water (Isaiah 11:9; HCSB).

Nothing harmful will take place on the LORD’s holy mountain. Just as water fills the sea, the land will be filled with people who know and honor the LORD (Isaiah 11:9; CEV). 

They will no longer injure or destroy on my entire royal mountain. For there will be universal submission to the LORD’s sovereignty, just as the waters completely cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9; NET). 

The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox (Isaiah 65:25; NIV).

In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain. I, the LORD, have spoken! (Isaiah 65:25; NLT). 

The LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5; NIV).

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

26.9.23: Your way

Ruth Kirk
The view from my bedroom window at 4am yesterday.

Teach me your ways, O Lord
(Psalm 86:11; NLT).

Jesus,
May your way of life
Show me
God’s eternal light.

Saviour,
May your way of pain
Lead my soul
To Him again.

Shepherd,
May your way of rest
Guide my steps
Through every test.

Then, Lord,
May your way of love
Bring me home
To God above.

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

24.9.23: Seeking God

Ruth Kirk
Luminas_Art: Pixabay.

Yesterday morning I laid in silence for a long time, seeking God before beginning to pray. Suddenly, I experienced God’s presence, then, instantly, today’s prayer began to arrive. All I had to do was to write it down as it flowed, line by line, without a moment’s hesitation. This was a very rare gift for which I was truly grateful, as I am so weary.

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

I seek you in darkness,
In silence,
In stillness;

I seek you in loneliness,
Sorrow,
And fear;

I seek you in nature,
In beauty,
In others;

I seek you in suffering:
Lord,
You are here. 

Jacob woke up and said, “The LORD is here!
He is in this place, and I didn’t know it!”
Genesis 28:16; GNT.

23.9.23: Not much left

Ruth Kirk
sabinevanerp: Pixabay.

Today’s prayer came to me yesterday morning. It reflects my thinking and state of mind at the time.

I am yours.
(Psalm 119:94; NLT).

1. There’s not much of “me” left, Lord,
But all I am is yours,
For you are my Creator:
The One my heart adores.

2. There’s not much of “me” left, Lord,
But I’ll serve as best I can,
For you have been my end-point
Since before my life began.

3. There’s not much of “me” left, Lord,
But every day I live
I’ll offer thanks for all you send,
And what you take, I’ll give.

Take whatever He gives and give whatever He takes with a big smile.
(St. Mother Theresa).

References 

Verse 1

We are the earth, and you are our maker; and we are all the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8; BBE).

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things (1 Chronicles 29:11; NLT). 

Verse 2

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

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

Verse 3

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

I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).

The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:20-22; CSB). 

20.9.23: I want to pray

Ruth Kirk
Arcaion: Pixabay.

When I was praying last Thursday, slowly repeating the name of Jesus, this prayer came to me. I had to end my contemplation so I could  immediately began to put it into words.

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

Lord, my God,
I want to pray

In your dear Spirit
Every day

For all the world,
Through Jesus’ name:

Please bless us
With your sacred  flame.

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; NLT). 

19.9.23: Perfect

Ruth Kirk
LevaNevsky: Pixabay.

Yesterday, when I woke and started to pray very sleepily, this prayer quickly arose. I wanted to ignore it, but had to begin writing it immediately, or it would have faded away in moments.

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

1. Lord Jesus,
When I wake each day,
May I give thanks,
Rejoice, and pray
To you, my Guide:
God’s perfect way.

2. Lord Jesus,
Yahweh’s living proof,
May I confess,
Without excuse,
My sins to you:
God’s perfect truth.

3. Lord Jesus,
When I rest at night,
May your dear Spirit
Shine so bright
That I see you:
God’s perfect light.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12; NLT). 

He is a light to reveal God to the nations (Luke 2:32; NLT).

References 

Verse 1:
*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).
*It was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader (Hebrews 2:10; NLT).
*God’s way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31; NLT).

Verse 2:
*Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name” (John 10:25; NLT).
*He [God] has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead (Acts 17:31; NIV).
*Jesus told him, “I am…the truth” (John 14:6; NLT).
*The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
*God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone (2Timothy 2:19; NLT).

Verse 3:
*God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us (1 John 4:13; NLT).
*God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24; NKJV).
*God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

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.

17.9.23: No matter what happens

Ruth Kirk
hamlettrinh: Pixabay

Yesterday, at the end of a time of quiet prayer, today’s verses began to flow, gradually taking shape during the rest of the day.

The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (Mark 12:29-30; NLT).

No matter what happens
I’ll love you.
To all you ordain
I’ll say: “Yes.”
Whatever you take
I’ll rejoice, Lord.
Whatever you send
I will bless.

No matter what happens
I’ll worship,
And all you impose
I’ll embrace.
In troubles and tests
I’ll give thanks, Lord,
For here, in your hands,
I am safe.

I am in the hands of the Lord, the Most High is my safe resting-place (Psalm 91:9; BBE).

References

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).

The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

A reading: Job receives disastrous, life-changing news

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything (Job 1:20-22; CSB). 

14.9.23: I seek you

Ruth Kirk
mokhaladmusavi: Pixabay.

Yesterday I prayed in silence, seeking God. However, I saw nothing, experienced nothing, and felt both sad, and a failure.

Then, today’s prayer came to me, and I saw where I was going wrong. God is always with us. Believing that He is present is far more important than whether or not we experience His presence. As Jesus said to Thomas: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (John 20:29; RSV).

I suspect that our faith is far more precious to God than our enjoyment of the spiritual experiences He sends. Anyway, following these reflections, here is today’s prayer:

In the morning I earnestly seek for God (Isaiah 26:9; NLT).

I seek you, Lord,
But you’re already near.
I thirst for you,
Yet you’re already here.

Then, I see clearly:
Father, you’re my soul
Which nothing can take away –
With you, I’m whole.

Lord, I believe and trust in you
Each day,
So I’ll rejoice, give thanks,
And try to pray.

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).

Notes

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).

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. 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).

12.8.23: Seek us

Ruth Kirk
The Good Shepherd, by Theodore de Bry; Dutch: metmuseum.org.

This prayer came to me a few days ago, as I prayed before my favourite icon:

The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
(Luke 19:10; NLT). 

Lord,

Seek us when we turn away
And lose our faith in you:
Please bring us gently back again
And let us start anew.

Save us when we turn aside
And stumble, slip, or fall:
Forgive us; guide us back again –
Lord, hear us when we call.

Help us when we turn from you
In rage, grief, or despair:
Encourage us to lean on you,
And trust, Lord, in your care.

They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.
(Psalm 112:7; NLT).

Readings

Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! (Lamentations 5:21; NLT).

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! (Matthew 18:12-13; NLT).

Who among you fears the LORD and listens to his servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God (Isaiah 50:10; CSB).

They will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 10:20; NAB).