Category: prayer

Sacred source

Ruth Kirk

1. Lord, you are my sacred source,
My Maker, and my God.
You give me life, and breath, and food;
A mind, a heart, a voice.

2. You give me faith; a conscience, Lord;
Remorse, forgiveness, hope.
You give me independence, and invention,
Insight, choice.

3. You give me trials and sorrows, Lord;
You give me joy and peace.
You give me worship, prayer, and praise;
Delight, and comfort, too.

4. You give me help; salvation, Lord,
And your unfailing love.
Then you embrace my soul in death,
For I am one with you.

References

1. Everything we have has come from you (1 Chronicles 29:14; NLT).

He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:25; NIV).

2. It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8; NIV).

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NLT).

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

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3; NLT).

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

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

This little cross (for M.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ruth Kirk

🧡

1. This little cross
Is soaked in prayer.
I wear it day
And night.

2. Washed with tears,
And kissed with love:
In darkness,
It brings light.

3. Held fast in joy,
In fear, and pain;
With me
In all I say, and do.

4. Just as this cross
Is dear to me,
I, Lord, am dear
To you.

🧡

References

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

Then he said to the crowd, “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).

2. She knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet (Luke 7:38; NLT).

The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness (Psalm 18:28; NLT).

3. Hold fast him (Deuteronomy 11:22; NIV).

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).

4. 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).

“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God” (Daniel 10:19; NLT).

Just a tiny step

Ruth Kirk

Image: Pexels, Pixabay

🤎

1. Christ is just
A tiny step away.

2. He lives within us all,
And waits, each day,

3. For us to talk with him
In constant prayer,

4. Seek him in all,
And find him everywhere.

5. Christ is just
A tiny step away.

6. He lives within us all,
And waits, each day,

7. For us to hear his voice,
To learn, and grow,

8. Then love him in others,
Everywhere we go.

🤎

References

1,5. 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).

2,6. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

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

3. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8; NLT).

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

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

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

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

There is one Lord […] who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

7. This is my dearly-loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5; NLT).

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 11:29; NIV).

You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18; NLT).

8. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

Then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15; NLT).

Unite with Christ (for A.K.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: truthseeker08, Pixabay

🤎

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 3:8-9; NLT).

1. Unite with Christ,
The Lord of lords,
And with all those
Who offer prayer.

2. Unite with Christ,
The Son of Man,
And with all those
Who love, and care.

3. Unite with Christ,
The King of kings,
And with all those
In want, and fear.

4. Unite with Christ,
The Son of God,
And with all those
Who suffer here.

May the Lord make your love for one another
and for all people grow and overflow
(1 Thessalonians 3:12; NLT).

🤎

References

1. They all met together and were constantly united in prayer (Acts 1:14; NLT).

2. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

3. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

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

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me (John 17:21-3; NLT).

Gifts

Ruth Kirk

Image: Fotoshop Tofs, Pixabay

💛

1. Lord,
You give me every breath I take;
This precious world,
And everything you make.

2. You give me food and water,
All I need;
Your only Son –
His life and death, my creed.

3. Lord,
You give me faith, and hope, and prayer;
Your light, your truth;
Your peace beyond compare.

4. You even give your Spirit,
From above;
And best of all, Lord God,
You give me love.

💛

References

1. He himself gives life and breath to everything (Acts 17:25; NLT).

I am the Lord, who made all things (Isaiah 44:24; NLT).

God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:10; NLT).

2. He satisfies every need (Acts 17:25; 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).

3. It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8; NIV).

Jesus Christ […] gives us hope (1 Timothy 1:1; NLT).

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world (John 1:9; 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 (John 14:27; NLT).

4. Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; NLT).

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

My prayers

Ruth Kirk

Image: waldryano, Pixabay

❤️

Lord,

1. May my prayers
Be natural –
Childlike, simple,
Sweet.

2. May my prayers
Be genuine –
Honest, prompt,
Complete.

3. May my prayers
Be uncontrived –
Trustful, loving,
Pure.

4. May my prayers
Be uncompelled –
Joyful, short,
Mature.

5. May my prayers
Be from the heart –
Spontaneous,
And true.

6. May my prayers
Be constant, Lord –
Then I’ll be one
With you.

❤️

Image: Pexels, Pixabay

References

1. Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3; NIV).

They will be called ‘children of the living God’ (Hosea 1:10; NIV).

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

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).

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

3. Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14;1; NLT).

I have done no wrong, and my prayer is pure (Job 16:17; NLT).

4. Always rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words (Matthew 6:7; NIV).

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4; NIV).

5. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8; NLT).

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

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

Suffused with prayer

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ruth Kirk

💛

1. Suffused with prayer,
My little cross –
I hold it tight
In joy, and loss.

2. Lord, may I
Be just the same –
Safe in your hands,
Breathing your name.

3. No matter what you send,
I’ll praise
And thank you, Father,
All my days.

4. So, I worship,
And adore –
One with you,
For evermore.

💛

References

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

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27; RSV).

Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 30:20; NIV).

Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).

2. I am in your hands – do with me as you think best (Jeremiah 26:14; NLT).

You are my Father (Psalm 89:26; NLT).

Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father” Galatians 4:6; NLT).

3. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21; NLT).

With every bone in my body I will praise him (Psalm 35:10; NLT).

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

4. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind (1 Chronicles 28:9; NLT).

We adore you as the one who is over all things (1 Chronicles 29:11; NLT).

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

This little cross

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ruth Kirk

🔥

1. This little cross
Is made of faith.
It teaches me
Your way.

2. This little cross
Is made of hope.
It helps me
Through each day.

3. This little cross
Is made of love
For everyone
Whose life I touch.

4. This little cross
Is made of prayer,
Because I need you, Lord,
So much.

🔥

References

1-3. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

3. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

Be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2:24; NLT).

Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me (Matthew 18:5; NLT).

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

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

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies! (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

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

God blesses those who are poor and realise their need for him (Matthew 5:3; NLT).

Change

Ruth Kirk

Image: Vaishakh Pillai, Unsplash

✙

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).

1. Lord,
You know how worn I am:
Give me your mind,
So I can pray.

2. Lord,
You know how blind I am:
Give me your eyes,
To see the way.

3. Lord,
You know how weak I am:
Give me your strength,
So I may care.

4. Lord,
You know how cold I am:
Give me your heart,
To love, and share.

5. Lord,
You know how spent I am:
Give me your soul,
So I can feel.

6. Lord,
You know how sick I am:
Give me your hands,
So I may heal.

✙

References

1. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NKJV).

We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).

2. When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven (John 17:1; RSV).

3. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isaiah 40:29; NLT).

Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).

4. I will give you a new heart…

5. …and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26; NIV).

I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand (Isaiah 49:4; NLT).

6. Heal the sick, and tell them, “The Kingdom of God is near you now” (Luke 10:9; NLT).

Hold me fast

Ruth Kirk

Image: Zac Durant, Unsplash

🖤

Your right hand will hold me fast
(Psalm 139:10; NIV).

1. Hold me fast
When I forget you.

2. Hold me, Father,
When I stray.

3. Hold me close
When I am weary.

4. Hold me
When I cannot pray.

5. Hold me safe
When I’m in danger.

6. Hold me, Father,
When I cry.

7. Hold me tight
When I’m in pain,

8. And hold me, Lord,
When I must die.

🖤

References

1. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast (Psalm 139:9-10; BSB).

2. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands (Psalm 119:176; NIV).

3. The Lord will hold me close (Psalm 27:10; NLT).

4. I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you” (Isaiah 41:13; NLT).

We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26; RSV).

5. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies (Psalm 18:48; NLT).

6. Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you (Psalm 102:1; ESV).

7. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).

I am suffering and in pain (Psalm 69:29; NLT).

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

8. All of us must die eventually (2 Samuel 14:14; NLT).

Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death (Psalm 68:20; NLT).