presence – Page 2 – A prayer for today

29.10.23: Rejoice, pray, thank

October 29, 2023Ruth Kirk

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).

Lord,

May I rejoice
And praise,
Here, in your presence,
All my days,

And, may I pray
Constantly
To you, the God
Who ransoms me.

May my thanks, Lord,
Never end
For all the good
And bad you send,

So, may I worship,
Serve, and sing,
Hid in the shadow
Of your wing.

In the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy (Psalm 63:7; ESV).

Hide me in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 17:8; NLT).

References

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
All who seek the LORD will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy (Psalm 22:26; NLT).

Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD – rejoice in his presence! (Psalm 68:4; NLT).

He ransoms me and keeps me safe (Psalm 55:18; NLT).

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).

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

Worship the LORD your God and serve only him (Luke 4:8; NLT).

13.9.23: God’s presence

September 13, 2023Ruth Kirk

The godly will live in your presence (Psalm 140:13; NLT).

Live in the Father’s presence,
Choosing his holy way;
Worship in life’s harsh deserts:
Give thanks, rejoice, and pray.

Walk in the Saviour’s presence,
Serving like Him, each day;
Worship in life’s vast wastelands:
Give thanks, rejoice, and pray.

Rest in the Spirit’s presence,
Clinging, so you don’t stray;
Worship on life’s cold mountains:
Give thanks, rejoice, and pray.

Trust in the Threefold Presence:
Comfort will fall, like dew;
Worship in death’s dark valley:
God will rejoice in you.

The LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs (Zechariah 3:17; NLT).

Readings

Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:6-8; NIV).

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).

Yea, 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).

22.8.23: The Way of Holiness

August 22, 2023Ruth Kirk

You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence (Acts 2:28; NLT).

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Please fill my body with your presence.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Please flood my mind with constant prayer.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Please charge my heart with love for others.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Please make my soul your thoroughfare.

The dry soil will become a pool of water, the parched ground springs of water. Where jackals once lived and sprawled out, grass, reeds, and papyrus will grow. A thoroughfare will be there – it will be called the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:7-8; NET).

2.8.23: I lift my mind

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023Ruth Kirk

The Supper at Emmaus, by Velázquez, 1622-23: metmuseum.org.

Today, I’ve dipped into my storehouse for this, one of my favourite poems:

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

When I lift my mind in stillness,
Lord, I feel your Spirit stir;

When I lift my heart in darkness,
Lord, I see your perfect light;

When I lift my soul in silence,
Lord, I hear your still, small voice –

And I recognise your presence:
Then, with thanks, Lord, I rejoice.

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.
(Luke 24:31; NIV).

Rosary Hospital news

My old five-decade rosary is in poor condition, so I finally managed to make myself a new one out of some of the bits and pieces left over in my bead-trays.

27.7.23: Help me

July 27, 2023July 27, 2023Ruth Kirk

We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

Lord,
Please help me, every day,
In all I feel, think, do and say,
To live in love, rejoice, and pray
For others.

Lord,
Please help me, through the years,
To walk with you, and face my fears,
Accepting sickness, loss and tears
With courage.

Lord,
Please help me: hear my plea
To live in you, and you in me,
Then all my sinfulness will flee
Your presence.

Lord,
Please help me: give me grace
To serve you till I’ve run my race,
Then I will see you face to face
Forever.

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NRSV).

30.5.23: In your presence

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023Ruth Kirk

The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, by Charles Nicolas Cochin II.

Today’s prayer came to me yesterday, as I prayed in silence:

He breathed on them, and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22; NLT).

Breathe on us; call to us;
Draw us towards you, Lord:
Show us your presence,
And teach us your way.

Help us to walk with you,
Praying and praising:
Safe in your presence,
By night and by day.

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

References

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 22:4; NIV).

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise (James 5:13; NIV).

You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love (Psalm 31:20-21; NLT).

22.5.23: This narrow path (for B.)

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023Ruth Kirk

This prayer came to me early last Thursday morning for the lovely friend to whom it is dedicated.

God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).

May this narrow path of sickness
Bring some good to those I meet.
As you help me bear my anguish,
May they trust, and start to pray.

May this narrow path of sorrow
Bring some good to those I greet.
As you help me face my passion,
May they follow you each day.

May this narrow path of hardship
Bring some good to those I join.
As you help me sense your presence,
May they come to share your way.

I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News (Philippians 1:12; NLT).

References

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:14; NIV).

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

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22; NLT).

19.5.23: Nothing I need

May 19, 2023Ruth Kirk

Image by Christopher Kuszajewski from Pixabay.

Two days ago, I received these verses during wordless prayer. Most unusually, I was able to write them down, then continue the silence without it being broken.

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence (Psalm 16:11; NLT).

There’s nothing I need
But your presence,
Nothing to do
But your will;

Nothing to say
But, “I love you”,
Nothing to see
But your light.

There’s nothing to utter
But, “Jesus“,
Nothing to offer
But thanks;

Nothing I want
But your mercy,
Nothing to do
But unite.

You also are complete through your union with Christ (Colossians 2:10; NLT).

References

I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).

I love you, Lord (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

God is light (Job 33:28; NLT).

God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11; NLT).

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

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! (Psalm 57:1; NLT).

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

Yes, 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).

9.5.23: Your presence

May 9, 2023Ruth Kirk

This is my prayer for today:

We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

Yahweh,
May I sense your presence:
I in you, and you in me,
All day long, and evermore,
In full communion, constantly.

Yahweh,
May I know your presence:
You in me, and I in you,
Then I’ll grow more like your Son,
In all I feel, think, say and do.

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13; NLT).