seek – Seeking God's face together

22.9.23: Love God

September 22, 2023Ruth Kirk

When I woke up yesterday morning I was warm and comfortable. It was easy to pray without words, expecting nothing. Then, to my surprise, these verses began to arrive.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
Mark 12:30; CSB.

1. To love God
Is to seek him;
To seek him
Is to find;
To find him
Is to worship,
To serve,
And to be kind.

2. To love God
Is to hear him;
To hear him
Is to give;
To give
Is to love everyone,
To grow like Christ,
And live.

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

References

Verse 1

Love the LORD your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul (Deuteronomy 10:12; NLT).

The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him (2 Chronicles 15:2; NLT).

Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

Verse 2

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left (Isaiah 30:21; NLT).

Freely you have received; freely give (Matthew 10:8; NIV).

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

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).

We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

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).

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life (Deuteronomy 30:19-20; NLT, my emphasis).

14.9.23: I seek you

September 14, 2023September 14, 2023Ruth Kirk

Yesterday I prayed in silence, seeking God. However, I saw nothing, experienced nothing, and felt both sad, and a failure.

Then, today’s prayer came to me, and I saw where I was going wrong. God is always with us. Believing that He is present is far more important than whether or not we experience His presence. As Jesus said to Thomas: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (John 20:29; RSV).

I suspect that our faith is far more precious to God than our enjoyment of the spiritual experiences He sends. Anyway, following these reflections, here is today’s prayer:

In the morning I earnestly seek for God (Isaiah 26:9; NLT).

I seek you, Lord,
But you’re already near.
I thirst for you,
Yet you’re already here.

Then, I see clearly:
Father, you’re my soul
Which nothing can take away –
With you, I’m whole.

Lord, I believe and trust in you
Each day,
So I’ll rejoice, give thanks,
And try to pray.

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).

Notes

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

You were made from dust, and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:19; NLT).

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

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38; NLT).

12.8.23: Seek us

September 12, 2023Ruth Kirk

The Good Shepherd, by Theodore de Bry; Dutch: metmuseum.org.

This prayer came to me a few days ago, as I prayed before my favourite icon:

The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
(Luke 19:10; NLT).

Lord,

Seek us when we turn away
And lose our faith in you:
Please bring us gently back again
And let us start anew.

Save us when we turn aside
And stumble, slip, or fall:
Forgive us; guide us back again –
Lord, hear us when we call.

Help us when we turn from you
In rage, grief, or despair:
Encourage us to lean on you,
And trust, Lord, in your care.

They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.
(Psalm 112:7; NLT).

Readings

Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! (Lamentations 5:21; NLT).

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! (Matthew 18:12-13; NLT).

Who among you fears the LORD and listens to his servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God (Isaiah 50:10; CSB).

They will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 10:20; NAB).

8.9.23: Follow and worship (updated today)

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023Ruth Kirk

I posted today’s prayer at midnight last night, when it only had seven verses. However, this morning, when I was praying without words, I suddenly received the final couplet, which makes it complete. So that email followers don’t miss this, I’m now posting the final version for their sake.

A thoroughfare will be there – it will be called the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8; NET).

Follow Christ on the way of love:
Worship Him who reigns above.

Learn from Christ on the way of faith:
Worship Him and seek His face.

Talk with Christ on the way of prayer:
Worship Him, our thoroughfare.

Serve with Christ on the way of light:
Worship Him both day and night.

Weep with Christ on the way of pain:
Worship Him who rose again.

Walk with Christ on the way of death:
Worship Him; one final breath

Then rest with Christ when life is past,
And worship Him with joy, at last.

Lord, though I’m on the way of dust,
I’ll worship you with steadfast trust.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3; NIV).

References

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

You were made from dust, and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:19; NLT).

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

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:1; NLT).

Those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die (Isaiah 57:2; NLT).

6.9.23: Each time I wake

September 6, 2023September 6, 2023Ruth Kirk

When I woke yesterday, I longed to return to the bliss I had experienced the morning before, but instead I was given this incredibly difficult prayer to write.

I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
(Psalm 42:2; NLT).

1. Spirit of the living God,
Please come to me each time I wake:
Lord, set my weary mind aflame,
So I can bless Your holy Name.

2. Spirit of God’s perfect peace,
Please come to me each time I wake:
Lord, intercede on my behalf,
And remedy my broken heart.

3. Spirit of God’s faithful love,
Please come to me each time I wake:
Lord, seek me every time I stray,
And heal my soul – please don’t delay.

4. Spirit of God’s light and truth,
Please come to me each time I wake:
Lord, take me to your dark abyss,
So I can worship You in bliss.

Thou makest me to know the path of life;
in Thy presence is fulness of joy,
in Thy right hand bliss for evermore.
(Psalm 16:11; JPS Tanakh 1917).

References

Verse 1:

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16; NLT).

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name (Psalm 103:1; RSV).

Verse 2:

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

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations (Ezekiel 36:26-7; NLT).

The Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26; AMP).

Verse 3:

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34; NLT).

The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10; NLT).

Verse 4:

God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all (1 John 1:5; NLT).

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

The earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters (Genesis 1:2; NAB).

He spoke with a loud voice from the heart of the fire, surrounded by clouds and deep darkness (Deuteronomy 5:22; NLT).

Moses approached the thick darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21; NLT).

I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches from secret places so that you may know that I am the Lord (Isaiah 45:3; CSB).

He who formed us…is God, who has given us His Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that bliss (2 Corinthians 5:5; WNT).

27.8.23: My heart returns

August 27, 2023August 27, 2023Ruth Kirk

The very moment I began to pray early yesterday morning, these verses hijacked me completely.

Sinners will return to you (Psalm 51:13; ESV).

Lord,
My heart returns to you
Each day when I awake,
For you are Christ, the King of kings,
Who suffered for my sake.

Lord,
My mind returns to you
Each day as it grows light,
For you love all, so even I
Am precious in your sight.

Lord,
My gaze returns to you
Each day: I persevere
In seeking out your Spirit,
For I know that you are near.

Lord,
My soul returns to you
Each day until my death,
Then we will reunite at last,
For I, Lord, am your breath.

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

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

5.8.23: Living water

August 5, 2023Ruth Kirk

Yesterday morning, this prayer arrived without warning. I scribbled down lots of notes at the time, but it proved very challenging to write.

O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is.
(Psalm 63:1; RSV).

Seek Christ’s living water:
Yes, plead for it each day.
He freely gives: receive his love,
Then he will help you pray.

Seek Christ’s living water,
For it will slake your thirst.
He freely gives: accept his joy,
Then put his kingdom first.

Seek Christ’s living water,
For he makes all things new.
He freely gives: embrace his peace,
Then he will dwell in you.

Seek Christ’s living water,
For he will not condemn.
He freely gives: so share your cup
With all, to comfort them.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; NLT).

References

Verse 1:
* To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life (Revelation 21:6; NLT).

Verse 2:
* Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water… Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:10,14; NLT).

Verse 3:
* He who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5; RSV).
* In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Verse 4:
* God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17; NIV).
* Freely you have received; freely give (Matthew 10:8; NIV).
* Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward (Matthew 10:42; NKJV).
* On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:37-8; RSV).

20.6.23: An invitation

June 20, 2023Ruth Kirk

Needlework picture by Anna Matilda Curtis, 1820, American, metmuseum.org.

To my great surprise, this complex, mysterious prayer arrived whilst I was saying grace before breakfast last Sunday. It is by far the most challenging piece of writing I have ever undertaken, and has taken many hours to put into words.

Seek his face always (1 Chronicles 16:11; NIV).

1. Sisters of the Face of God,
Reach out:
Seek me while you may.

2. Brothers of the Word of God,
Draw near:
Follow me each day.

3. Mothers of the Hand of God,
Join me:
Cling through good and ill.

4. Fathers of the Way of God,
Bear up:
Learn to do my will.

5. People of the Peace of God,
Listen:
I will make you new.

6. Children of the Love of God,
Come now:
Let me welcome you.

The crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God.
(Luke 9:11; NLT).

You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
(Galatians 3:26; NLT).

References

Verse 1
Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:35; NLT).
They will see God’s face (Job 33:26; NIV).
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27; NIV).
Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near (Isaiah 55:6; NLT).

Verse 2
He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God (Revelation 19:13; NLT).
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings (Hebrews 10:22; NIV).
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).

Verse 3
The LORD will hold you in his hand for all to see – a splendid crown in the hand of God (Isaiah 62:3; NLT).
Cling tightly to the LORD your God (Joshua 23:8; NLT).
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; CSB).

Verse 4
They took him aside and explained the way of God (Acts 18:26; NLT).
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:16; NIV).

Verse 5
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7; NIV).
This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him (Mark 9:7; NLT).
I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart (Ezekiel 36:26; NLT).

Verse 6
Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it” (Luke 18:16; NLT).
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39; NIV).
I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am (John 14:3; BSB).

The Rosary Hospital

Yesterday was quite challenging, so for part of the afternoon I took refuge in making a fiat rosary.

12.6.23: Dancing with God

June 12, 2023Ruth Kirk

This prayer came to me suddenly last Saturday, during the final minutes of my online movement class. I found it very difficult to put into words what I had seen.

King David [was] leaping and dancing before the LORD (2 Samuel 6:16; NLT).

I’m leaping up, Lord God,
And bowing down;
I’m reaching out to all,
And joining in.

I’m moving through the crowd, Lord,
Seeking You;
We meet at last, join hands,
Rejoice and sing.

I lift my eyes to gaze
Upon your face;
In love, we dance as one,
My God and King.

You are my King and my God! (Psalm 44:4; NLT).

References

Come, let us worship and bow down (Psalm 95:6; NLT).

I will dance before the LORD (2 Samuel 6:21; CSB).

I will sing to the Lord (Exodus 15:1; NLT).

I lift my eyes to you (Psalm 123:1; NLT).

They will see God’s face and shout for joy (Job 33:26; NIV).

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).