Category: prayer

Love for God

Ruth Kirk

Image: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay

Choose today whom you will serve
(Joshua 24:15; NLT).

1. Our love for God
Cannot be forced –
It grows throughout the years,

2. With prayer and worship,
Faith, and trust;
With sacrifice, and tears.

3. As we live
In his presence,
He will fill us to the brim,

4. Until we overflow
With love,
Becoming 
more like him.

✙

References

1. The Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

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

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

3. We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

4. May the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone (1 Thessalonians 3:12; CSB).

The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

King of kings (#1 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Rui Silva sj, Unsplash

🤎

Notice how God is both kind and severe
(Romans 11:22; NLT).

1. Matchless, mighty,
King of kings,
I worship you –
Please hear my sighs.

2. Peerless, perfect,
Lord of lords,
I honour you –
Please hear my cries.

3. Sacred, spotless,
God of gods,
I trust in you –
Please hear my call.

4. Flawless, faithful,
First and Last,
I bow to you,
Who loves us all.

He loves us with unfailing love
(Psalm 117:2; NLT).

🤎

References

1. You, O Lord are supreme over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods (Psalm 97:9; NLT).

God is mighty (Job 36:5; NLT).

God [is] the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15; NIV).

2. I am the Lord; there is no other God (Isaiah 45:5; NLT).

Your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48; NIV).

He is Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14; NKJV).

3. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:3; NIV).

It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19; NLT).

The Lord your God is the God of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17; NLT).

4. The Lord’s word is flawless (2 Samuel 22:31; NIV).

God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13; NLT).

I am the First and the Last; there is no other God (Isaiah 44:6; NLT).

This cross

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ruth Kirk

🧡

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18; NLT).

1. Lord, this cross is made of fire –
It burns within my hands,
And gives me all the strength I need
To face life’s harsh demands.

2. This little cross is made of light –
It shines on my dark road,
And gives me all the strength I need
To bear my heavy load.

3. This simple cross is made of truth –
It teaches me your way,
And gives me all the strength I need
To follow you each day.

4. This humble cross is made of peace –
It tells me you are near,
And gives me all the strength I need
To face my pain and fear.

5. This precious cross is made of love –
It shows me how you save,
And gives me all the strength I need
To hold fast, and be brave.

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength
(Philippians 4:13; NLT).

🧡

References

1. God is a raging fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; GW). 

With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall (2 Samuel 22:30; NIV).

2. God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV).


Then Jesus said, “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. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).

3. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

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).

4. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

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

5. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NIV).

Be brave and courageous (Psalm 27:14; NLT).

I am not fit

Ruth Kirk

Image: Paul Gruber, Pixabay

💙

I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals
(Mark 1:7; NASB).

1. You love me, Lord,
Though I’m not fit
For anything but blame;
And talk with me,
Though I’m not fit
To speak your sacred name.

2. You comfort me,
Though I’m not fit
To call on you in prayer;
And ransom me,
Though I’m not fit
To warrant all your care.

3. You treasure me,
Though I’m not fit
To be your humble slave;
And cherish me,
Though I’m not fit
To rescue from the grave.

4. You shelter me,
Though I’m not fit
To contemplate your grace;
And smile on me,
Though I’m not fit
To gaze upon your face.

I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness
you have shown to me, your servant
(Genesis 32:10; NLT).

💙

References

1. I’m just a worm, less than human (Psalm 22:6; CEB).

We dare not mention the name of the Lord (Amos 6:10; NKJV).

2. I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord (Genesis 18:27; NKJV).

Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son (Luke 15:21; NLT).

3. I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals (Luke 3:16; NLT).

You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death (Psalm 30:3; NLT).

Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life (Job 33:24; NLT).

4. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by (Exodus 33:22; NKJV).

Lord, do not trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honour (Luke 7:6; NLT).

Righteousness smiles down from heaven (Psalm 85:11; NLT).

Made of dread

Ruth Kirk

Image: Leigh Heasley, Pixabay

🖤

I’m just a worm, less than human
(Psalm 22:6; CEB).

1. I’m made of dread,
Instead of dust,

2. And cling to you in doubt,
Not trust.

3. I plead through pain,
Instead of prayer,

4. And serve you out of pride,
Not care.

5. I offer sin,
Instead of good,

6. And wait for you with fear,
Not love.

7. I seek the dark,
Instead of light –

8. Lord, may I walk by faith,
Not sight.

🖤

We walk by faith, not by sight
(2 Corinthians 5:7; NIV).

Perfection (dedicated to A.K.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Felix Mittermeier, Pixabay

✝️

Your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48; NIV).

1. God’s timing is perfect.
His mercy is great.
It’s never too early.
It’s never too late.

2. God’s pathway is perfect.
He knows we are weak.
It’s never too dreary.
It’s never too steep.

3. God’s kindness is perfect.
So gentle, his touch.
It’s never too little.
It’s never too much.

4. God’s burden is perfect.
He shares in our plight.
It’s never too weighty.
It’s never too light.

5. God’s wisdom is perfect,
Mysterious; vast;
For he is eternal –
The First, and the Last.

✝️

References

1. This is what the Lord says, “At just the right time, I will respond to you” (Isaiah 49:8; NLT).

At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen (Isaiah 60:22; NLT).

His mercy is great (2 Samuel 24:14; NLT).

2. God’s way is perfect (Psalm 18:30; NLT).

He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 103:14; NLT).

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).

3. The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases, his compassions never end (Lamentations 3:22; NET).

I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29; NIV).

No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one (Luke 4:40; NLT).

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

My burden on thee is not heavy (Job 33:7; YLT).

My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light (Matthew 11:30; NLT).

5. Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! (Romans 11:33; NLT).

Truly, O God of Israel, our Saviour, you work in mysterious ways (Isaiah 45:15; NLT).

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens (Psalm 36:5; NLT).

“I am the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One” (Revelation 1:8; NLT).

I am the First and the Last; there is no other God (Isaiah 44:6; NLT).

He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God (1 Timothy 17; NLT).

I wait

Ruth Kirk

Image: James Chan, Pixabay

🖤

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

1. I wait, still and silent.
I worship you, Lord.
I listen; I learn;
And I share.

2. I am your body,
Your breath, bone, and blood;
And we live as one, Lord,
Through prayer.

3. You know all my feelings;
My thoughts, words, and deeds.
You are my light, truth,
And way.

4. You are my faith, and my hope,
And my love —
So, let’s start afresh, Lord,
Today.

🧡

References

1. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7; NIV).

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

Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour (Psalm 96:9; NLT).

I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying (Psalm 85:8; NLT).

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29; NKJV).

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

Pour out your hearts to him (Psalm 62:8; NIV).

You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

2. You are Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27; NASB).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

You have received the Holy Spirit and he lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).

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

3. O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me (Psalm 139:1; NLT).

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away (Psalm 139:2; NLT).

You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord (Psalm 139:4; NLT).

You know everything I do (Psalm 139:3; NLT).

The Lord is my light (Psalm 27:1; NLT).

I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6; NLT).

4. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love
(1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord (Lamentations 3:40; KJV).

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-3; ESV).

Longing

Ruth Kirk

Image: Jake Heckey, Pixabay

🖤

Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
and he shall hear my voice 
(Psalm 55:17; NKJV).

1. Lord,
I lift my voice in prayer,
Longing for you at dawn:

For life is tough,
And the road is rough –
Yet I am so frail and worn.

2. Lord,
I lift my hands in prayer,
Thirsting for you at noon:

For life is bleak,
And the track is steep –
So I’ll need your assistance soon.

3. Lord,
I lift my heart in prayer,
Aching for you at dusk:

For life is hard,
And the way is barred –
In your help alone, I trust.

4. Lord,
I lift my soul in prayer,
Sighing for you at night:

For life is harsh,
And the path is dark –
Now you are my only light.

Image: cgrape, Pixabay

References

1. I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy (Psalm 142:1; NIV).

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult (Matthew 7:14; NLT).

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am frail (Psalm 6:2; NET).

2. I lift my hands to you for mercy (Psalm 88:9; NLT).

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

My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O Lord (Psalm 88:9; NLT).

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

He has barred my way with blocks of stone (Lamentations 3:9; NIV).

Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone (2 Chronicles 14:11; NLT).

4. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul (Psalm 25:1; NKJV).

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

The Lord is my light and my salvation (Psalm 27:1; NLT).

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105; NLT).

Trust

Ruth Kirk

Image: Tep Ro, Pixabay

🧡

I trust in you, my God
(Psalm 25:2; NLT).

1. I lift my hands to you in secret,
Trusting you will hear my prayers.

2. I lift my mind to you in stillness,
Trusting you will ease my cares.

3. I lift my heart to you in silence,
Trusting you will pardon me.

4. I lift my soul to you in darkness,
Trusting you will set me free.

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

🧡

References

1. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary (Psalm 134:2; NIV).

When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen (Matthew 6:6; NIV).

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy (Psalm 116:1; NLT).

2. Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10; NIV).

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

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

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

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

Pour out your heart to him (Psalm 62:8; NLT).

He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

4. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul (Psalm 25:1; NKJV).

Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light (Micah 7:8; NLT).

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see [and] that the oppressed will be set free (Luke 4:18; NLT).

Not far to fly

Ruth Kirk

Image: 5hashank, Pixabay

🧡

Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit
(1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).

Father God,

1. When I must die,
My soul will not have far to fly.

2. You live in me; I live in you –
There’s nothing I will need to do

3. But leave this body, and its pain,
To step into your arms again.

4. Then, Father, we will re-combine,
For I am yours, and you are mine.

5. Yes, Father, we will re-unite
Forever, in your glorious light.

Into your hands I commit my spirit
(Psalm 31:5; NIV).

🧡

References

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

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

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

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever ( Revelation 21:3-4; NLT).

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

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

4. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NIV).

My beloved is mine and I am his (Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).

5. I will live in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6; NLT).

The city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light (Revelation 21:23; NLT).