Category: sin

Prayer

Ruth Kirk
Image: Pixabay

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

1. Prayer is worship,
Thanks, rejoicing;
Prayer is sorrow,
Fear, and pain.

2. Prayer is spending time
With Jesus,
As he loosens
Every chain.

3. Prayer is mercy,
Love, and healing;
Prayer is sharing
Every sin.

4. Prayer is being one
With Jesus,
So that we can grow
Like him.

References

1. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour (1 Chronicles 16:29; NLT).

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

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

I weep with sorrow (Psalm 119:28; NLT).

He will calm all your fears (Zephaniah 3:17; NLT).

Feel my pain (Psalm 25:18; NLT).

2. Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; RSV).

He wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them (Mark 9:31; NLT).

You have loosed my bonds (Psalm 116:16; NKJV).

He snapped their chains (Psalm 107:14; NLT).

3. His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:25; NKJV).

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

I am the Lord, who heals you (Exodus 15:27; NIV).

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

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

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).

Questions

Ruth Kirk
Image: Free-Photos, Pixabay

I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me
(Psalm 51:3; NIV).

1. Lord, is the darkness around you
Produced by my sins?

2. Do they separate me from your presence
By hiding your face?

3. What do you think of my life,
And my lip-service prayers?

4. Lord, if I give up my sins
And return to your way,

5. Will you visit me here, on the earth,
In the cool of the eve,

6. Just as you did in the garden
Where I was conceived?

References

1. Clouds and thick darkness surround him (Psalm 97:2; NIV).

2. Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2; NIV).

3. The Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing more than man-made rules learned by rote” (Isaiah 29:13; NLT).

4. Repent of your sins and turn to God (Matthew 4:17; NLT).

Follow the way of love (1 Corinthians 14:1; NIV).

5. When he visits, what shall I answer him? (Job 31:14; HNV). 

The man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8; NIV).

6. God created human beings in his own image (Genesis 1:27; NLT).

I need you

Ruth Kirk
Image: RonPorter, Pixabay

Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
(Psalm 22:1; NLT).

1. Father,
I need you.
I’m fearful and weak.

2. I beg you
To help me,
For life is so bleak.

3. Father,
I trust you.
I’m sorry, and sad.

4. I love you.
Forgive all my sins.
Make me glad.

References

1. I long for your rescue, O Lord (Psalm 119:166; NLT).

He knows how weak we are (Psalm 103:14; NLT).

2. Each day I beg for your help, O Lord (Psalm 88:9; NLT).

Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

3. I trust him with all my heart (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

All must repent of their sins (Acts 26:20; NLT).

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

Forgive us our sins (Luke 11:4; NLT).

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

I love you

Ruth Kirk
Image: eloneo, Pixabay

1. I love you, Lord,
Please help me
By forgiving all my sins,

2. By healing me,
And saving me,
And giving my soul wings.

3. I love you, Lord,
Please help me
By redeeming me from death,

4. And crowning me
With mercy, Lord,
Beyond my final breath.

References

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

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

He forgives all my sins, and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! (Psalm 103:2-5; NLT).

2. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15; NLT).

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

3. God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave (Psalm 49:15; NKJV).

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

Have faith

Ruth Kirk

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

1. Turn to Christ for healing;
Cry out, for he is near.
Have faith that he will help you
When you suffer pain and fear.

2. Ask him to forgive you,
Confessing every sin,
And trust that he will help you
While you try to change within.

3. Bear your cross, and follow;
Let Jesus share your load.
Rely on him to help you
As you walk his narrow road.

References

1. If you are willing, you can heal me (Luke 5:12; NLT).

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (Mark 5:34; NIV).

2. Forgive us our sins (Luke 11:4; NLT).

Trust in God (John 14:1; NLT).

3. Take up your cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24; NLT).

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14; NIV).

Anguish (written for M)

Ruth Kirk


How long must I struggle within my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
(Psalm 13:2; NLT).

1. Son of God,
We cry to you,
For life is very bleak.

2. Have pity on us, Lord,
For we’re in anguish,
Sick, and weak.

3. Touch us,
And forgive our sins,
For we belong to you,

4. And help us
To forgive all those
Who sin against us, too.

5. Heal us, Lord, in body,
And in mind, and heart,
And soul,

6. For you, Lord, are the only one
Whose touch
Can make us whole.

References

1. I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed (Psalm 61:2; NLT).

My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out (Job 17:1; NLT).

2. Jesus, Master, have pity on us (Luke 17:13; NIV).

Lord, see my anguish! (Lamentations 1:20; NLT).

Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony (Psalm 6:2; NLT).

3. Jesus touched the sick man and healed him (Luke 14:4; NLT).

Forgive us our sins (Matthew 6:12; NLT).

Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord (Romans 14:8; NLT).

4. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:37; NLT).

5. He forgives all my sins, and heals all my diseases (Psalm 103:3-4; NLT).

He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).

6. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed (Mark 1:41-2; NLT).

How shall I worship you?

Ruth Kirk

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
(Psalm 29:2; NLT).

1. Lord,
How shall I worship you?
I’ll dwell upon your name,
Repeating: “My dear Father”,
As you set my heart aflame.

2. How shall I rejoice in you?
My soul will dance and sing,
Repeating: “God, I love you!”
Till I make the heavens ring.

3. Lord,
How shall I praise you?
I’ll see you everywhere,
Repeating: “Dearest Father”,
For you are beyond compare.

4. How shall I give thanks to you?
I’ll live in you each day,
And, serving you in others,
I will never cease to pray.

References

1. Worship the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:29; NLT).

Those who love his name shall dwell in it (Psalm 69:36; NLT).

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy (Matthew 6:9; RSV).

Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us? (Luke 24:32; NLT).

2. Rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 32:11; NLT).

Let them praise his name with the dance; let them sing praises to him (Psalm 149:3; NKJV).

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

The heavens proclaim the glory of God (Psalm 19:1; NLT).

3. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 106:1; NLT).

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

To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? (Isaiah 46:5; NIV).

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8; NLT).

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

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

Serve only the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

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

With love

Ruth Kirk

Do everything with love
(1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

1. Face all you feel with love:
Grief, anger, shame, pain, fear.
Share everything with God,
For he is always near.

2. Observe your thoughts with love:
Hate, envy, judgement, pride.
Confess them all to God,
Who will not blame, or chide.

3. Speak every word with love:
Don’t mock, abuse, or lie.
Admit your sins to God,
Who hears our victims cry.

4. Do everything with love:
This principle is clear;
Just ask the Father’s help,
For he is always here.

References

1. You are near (Psalm 75:1; NLT).

2. I confess my sins (Psalm 38:18; NLT).

He will not always chide (Psalm 103:9; RSV).

3. Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

The Lord hears the cries of the needy (Psalm 69:33; NLT).

4. Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

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

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

Help me, Lord (Psalm 30:10; NLT).

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may be with you forever (John 14:16; NASB).

In your presence

Ruth Kirk

1. Father,
I am always in your presence.
Please help me to remember you today –
Constantly attentive to your guidance,
The still, small voice within, that shows the way.

2. Father,
I am always in your presence.
Please help me to remain in you today –
Constantly rejoicing in your goodness,
And following your Son, so I don’t stray.

3. Father,
I am always in your presence.
Please help me to commune with you today –
Constantly confessing my transgressions,
Always quick to listen, and obey.

4. Father,
I am always in your presence.
Please help me to unite with you today –
Constantly beseeching your forgiveness,
And serving you in all I do, and say.

References

1. You have brought me into your presence forever (Psalm 41:12; NLT).

Remember the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 8:18; NLT).

After the fire [came] a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; NKJV).

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

2. Remain in me, and I will remain in you (John 15:4; NLT).

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

May your faithful people rejoice in your goodness (2 Chronicles 6:41; NIV).

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).

3. Commune with your own heart (Psalm 77:6; KJV).

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

If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just (1 John 1:9; NLT).

Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

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

“O Lord,” I prayed, “have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you” (Psalm 41:4; NLT).

Serve only the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father (Colossians 3:17; NLT).

Within

Ruth Kirk

The kingdom of God is within you
(Luke 17:21; NKJV).

1. God isn’t in the whirlwind,
But in our rage and dread.

2. He isn’t in the earthquake,
But in our grief and pain.

3. He isn’t in the firestorm,
But in our guilt and sin –

4. For God is in our darkness:
The still, small voice within.

References

1. Then he said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind… (1 Kings 19:11; NKJV).

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

2. …and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake… (1 Kings 19:11; NKJV).

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4; NIV).

3. …and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire… (1 Kings 19:12; NKJV).

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24; NLT).

4. Moses approached the thick darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21, NIV).

…and after the fire a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; NKJV).