Category: prayer

Praying for others

Ruth Kirk

Never stop praying, especially for others (Ephesians 6:18; CEV). 

Every day, when I post my blog, I pray for those who will read it, for those who will only glance at it, for those who won’t be exposed to any prayers, and for those who don’t believe in God. This can sometimes feel like a heavy task, because of my ongoing illness and fatigue, so I’m wondering if any readers might like to share it. 

One way to do this would be to develop the habit of praying briefly for others just before, or after, reading each new blog.

Here is a short, lighthearted poem that could be used:

Praying for others 

Bless all those who read this prayer,
And all those, Lord, who don’t.

Bless those who will pray today,
And all those, Lord, who won’t.

Bless those who can grasp your love,
And all those, Lord, who can’t.

Bless those who are seeking you,
And all those, Lord, who aren’t.

Alternatively, some readers might prefer to use their own words:

  • Pray for those who visit this website. Ask God to bless them, and to enable them to find something here that helps them.
  • Pray for those who glance at the day’s prayer, but dismiss it immediately.
  • Pray for those who never pray, and for all who don’t believe in God. Ask him to bring back those who have strayed, and to draw many new believers to himself each day.

Whatever the approach, I would deeply appreciate any prayers said for those who visit this website, and for the countless millions who don’t.

 

 

Leaving no footprints

Ruth Kirk

You walked through the sea; you passed through the surging waters,
but left no footprints (Psalm 77:19; NET). 

1. Father,
May I walk these sands,
Leaving no footprints –
Only faith.

2. Jesus
May I pass this way,
Leaving no footprints –
Only peace.

3. Spirit,
May I wander here,
Leaving no footprints –
Only prayer.

4. Saviour,
May I rise with you,
Leaving no footprints –
Only love.

♥️

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
(Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

 

References

1. It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9; NIV). 

2. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7; NIV).

I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart (John 14:27; NIV).

3. The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for 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).

4. All glory to him who alone is God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen (Jude 1:25; NLT).

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour (Luke 1:46-7; NIV). 

My beloved calls to me, “Arise, my darling. Come away with me, my beautiful one” (Song of Songs 2:10; BSB).  

Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak (Isaiah 40:31; GNT). 

We …will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17; NLT).

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

 

 

Simple prayers

Ruth Kirk

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).

1. May my prayers
Be simple, Lord,
For you already know
My needs.

2. May my prayers
Be honest, Lord:
You know my thoughts,
And words, and deeds.

3. May my prayers
Be Christ-like, Lord:
Pleading for others,
Judging none;

4. And may my prayers
Be constant, Lord,
Then we will always
Live as one.

🧡

References

1. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8; NIV).

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

You perceive my thoughts from afar (Psalm 139:2; NIV).

Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:4; NIV).

You know everything I do (Psalm 119:168; NLT). 

3. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified – one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34; NLT). 

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you (Luke 6:37; NLT).

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

The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).

 

 

Help me to understand

Ruth Kirk

He himself gives life and breath to everything,
and he satisfies every need
(Acts 17:25; NLT).

1. Help me, Lord,
To understand
That you, alone,
Give all I have,

2.  And, that you also
Take away,
For every life
Brings good and bad.

3. Help me to accept
Your will
With gladness, thanks,
And constant prayer,

4. Confident, Lord,
That you bring blessings
In the end,
From all we bear.

🧡

References

1. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed (Job 1:21; NET).

2. When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).

3. I want your will to be done, not mine (Matthew 26:39; NLT).

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; RSV).

4. We know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good (Romans 8:28; AMP).

 

 

You’re here

Ruth Kirk


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

Lord,

You’re here
In answer
To my prayers.

You talk to me
In answer
To my prayers.

You walk with me
In answer
To my prayers;

And comfort me
In answer
To my prayers.

❤️

I am the one
who answers your prayers
and cares for you.
(Hosea 14:8; NLT).

 

Close my eyes (#1 of 3)

Ruth Kirk

Since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for (1 John 5:15; NLT).

Lord,
Please close my eyes in prayer,
Then I will see you everywhere. 

Lord,
Please close my eyes in sleep,
And let it be both calm, and deep.

Lord,
Please close my eyes in death,
As I release my final breath. 

🖤

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

Through prayer

Ruth Kirk

Draw near to God
and he will draw near to you
(James 4:8; NKJV).

Through prayer,
I absorb you, Lord,
Into my bones,

My mind,
And my heart,
And my soul.

Through prayer,
I am also absorbed
Into you –

My Maker,
My life,
And my goal.


Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

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

In prayer

Ruth Kirk


Pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf
(1 Timothy 2:1; NLT). 

Lord,

In prayer,
I often ask you to do things:
To bless, comfort, strengthen
And heal others;

To help me accept
All you send,
Yet still, somehow,
To serve you.

But today, I’m not asking you
To do anything at all;
For I am content
To rest in your presence,

Absorbing your warmth, light
And peace, Lord,
Your truth,
And your love.

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15; NLT).