pray – Seeking God's face together

Faith, hope and love

September 16, 2019Ruth Kirk

Everything we have comes from you,
and we give you only what you first gave us.
(1 Chronicles 29:14; NLT).

Lord,

1. Thank you for your gift of faith,
Poured out on us each day.

2. Thank you for your gift of hope,
Which helps us as we pray.

3. Thank you for your gift of love,
Which blesses all we do.

4. Thank you for your gift of life:
We give it back to you.

References

1. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all (1 Corinthians 12:4; NLT).

2. Put your hope in God (Psalm 42:5; NIV).

3. The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love (Galatians 5:22; NLT).

4. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth (Isaiah 42:5; NLT).

You are light

September 1, 2019Ruth Kirk

Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
(Lamentations 3:41; NLT).

1. You are light:
I lift my eyes
To worship
And adore.

2. You are truth:
I lift my hands
To praise you
Evermore.

3. You are peace:
I lift my heart
To bless you
Every day.

4. You are love:
I lift my soul
To thank you, Lord,
And pray.

References

1. God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).
I lift my eyes to you, O God (Psalm 123:1; NLT).

2. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
Lift up holy hands in prayer (Psalm 134:2; NLT).

3. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).
Let us lift our hearts […] to God in heaven (Lamentations 3:41; NLT).

4. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).
I lift up my soul to you (Psalm 143:8; NKJV).

It makes no difference

August 29, 2019August 29, 2019Ruth Kirk

Lord,

1. It makes no difference
Whether I know this person or not:
You made them and you love them,
So I welcome them.

2. It makes no difference
Whether I agree with this person or not:
You made them and you love them,
So I listen to them.

3. It makes no difference
Whether I like this person or not:
You made them and you love them,
So I help them.

4. It makes no difference
Whether I fear this person or not:
You made them and you love them,
So I pray for them.

References

1. Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth (Isaiah 42:5; NLT).

He loves his people (Deuteronomy 33:3; NLT).

2. Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31; NLT).

3. You, too, must show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

4. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44; NIV).

Help us sinners

August 17, 2019Ruth Kirk

We know what sinners we are.
(Isaiah 59:1; NLT).

1. Father,
Help us sinners
To trust in you today,
So none of us will grieve:
My hope is gone!

2. Mary,
Help us sinners
To turn to God and pray,
So none of us will sigh:
I am alone!

3. Jesus,
Help us sinners
To find your narrow way,
So none of us will weep:
There is no gate!

4. Spirit,
Help us sinners
Each time we start to stray,
So none of us will cry:
I am too late!

References

1. We have become old, dry bones – all hope is gone (Ezekiel 7:11; NLT).

2. I am alone and in deep distress (Psalm 25:16; NLT).

3. The gateway to life is very narrow and the road difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14; NLT).

4. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late (Luke 13:25; NLT).

You help me pray

August 2, 2019Ruth Kirk

When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you,
and pray to your Father in private (Matthew 6:6; NLT).

1. I pray, whilst watching Mary tend
The Christ-child, born in Bethlehem.

2. I follow, and you set me free,
The Son of Man, in Galilee.

3. I cheer you, rod of Jesse’s stem:
Hosanna, in Jerusalem.

4. I go with you, and hear your plea
Lord Jesus, at Gethsemane.

5. I gaze on you, nailed to a tree:
The Son of God, at Calvary.

6. I mourn; I lost you far too soon:
Your body lies within the tomb.

7. I eat with you, and you with me:
The Risen Christ, beside the sea.

8. Then, Lord, you let me touch each wound,
And help me pray, within my room.

References

1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea (Matthew 2:1; NLT).

2. Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News (Mark 1:14; NLT).

3. The crowds that went before and that followed him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” […] And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:9-10; RSV).

4. Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane […] and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me” (Matthew 26:36,39; NLT).

5. When they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified him (Luke 23:33; NKJV).

6. Joseph […] took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb (Mark 15:46; NLT).

7. Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee […] They found breakfast waiting for them – fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread […] Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish (John 21:1,9,13; NLT).

8. After eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut […] Then he said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into my side” (John 20:26-7; NKJV).

The sacred arts

July 24, 2019Ruth Kirk

Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples (Luke 11:1; NLT).

1. Teach us, Lord, to pray like you,
Who walked on Jordan’s banks,
So we can practice constantly
The sacred art of thanks.

2. Guide us all to pray like you,
Who saved all those who strayed,
So we can practice constantly
The sacred art of praise.

3. Show us how to pray like you,
Who raised the lifeless boy,
So we can practice constantly
The sacred art of joy.

4. Help us, Lord, to pray like you,
Who gave your flesh and blood,
So we can practice constantly
The sacred art of love.

References

1. Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people
(John 6:11; NLT).

Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

2. Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25; NIV).

O God, we […] constantly praise your name (Psalm 44:8; NLT).

3. Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; NLT).

Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

4. Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39; NLT).

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