Category: sorrow

One Spirit

Ruth Kirk

Here is a video recording of today’s prayer: One Spirit

God is Spirit (John 4:24; NLT).

There is… one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4; NLT).

Spirit of God,
You help us in our weakness,
Teaching us what to ask
And how to pray.

Spirit of Christ,
You walk with us in sorrow,
Pleading on our behalf
Both night and day.

Spirit of Truth,
You guide us in our darkness,
Lighting our path with love
Along the way.

Holy Spirit,
You are in all creation,
So we are one with you,
Though we are clay.

Thine incorruptible spirit is in all things (Wisdom of Solomon 12:1; KJV). 

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

We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand (Isaiah 64:8; NLT).

References 

Verse 1:
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (Romans 8:11; NLT). 

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for (Romans 8:26; NLT).

The Spirit teaches you everything you need to know (1 John 2:27; NLT).

Verse 2:
They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward (1 Peter 1:11; NLT).

The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me (Philippians 1:19; NLT). 

Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us (Romans 8:34; CSB). 

He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf (Hebrews 9:24; NLT). 

Verse 3:
When He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth (John 16:13; AMP). 

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

Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light (Micah 7:8; NLT).

Verse 4:
Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13; NLT).

My body is yours

Ruth Kirk

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT). 

My body is yours, Lord,
To use as you please.

My mind, your domain:
I embrace each disease.

My heart is your home, Lord,
From birth until death.

My spirit is yours,
For my soul is your breath.

My strength comes from you, Lord:
May your will be done,

For though life brings sorrow and pain,
We are one.

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).

References

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:23; NLT). 

This is what the sovereign LORD says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live (Ezekiel 37:5; NET). 

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 LORD is my strength (Exodus 15:2; NLT).

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

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

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26; NLT).

The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).

Good Friday

Ruth Kirk

Today’s blog has completely overwhelmed me this morning, and is specifically for Good Friday, so I am posting it earlier than usual.

God says this to the evildoer: “How can you declare my commands, and talk about my covenant? For you hate instruction and reject my words” (Psalm 50:16-17; NET). 

We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly (1 Kings 8:47; NIV). 

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all (Isaiah 53:6; NLT). 

Lord,

We go to church, and read our Bibles.
We say our prayers, and give to charity.

Yet still we judge and hurt so many people;
We think, and say, and do some dreadful things.

We haven’t even tried to grasp your teaching:
We’re far away from growing more like you.

We’re sorry for our sins, and for our sinfulness.
Forgive us; help us all to start again.

Lord, may we become like little children,
Learning from all you say, and all you do.

Help us to grow more like you every day,
By loving you in all along our way.

Please forgive our sins, and make us good.
Help us to grow like you, dear Lord,
In thought, and word, and deed,
For you are love.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NIV).

References 

Let no one have any evil thought in his heart against his neighbour… for all these things are hated by me, says the Lord (Zechariah 8:17; BBE). 

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

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

The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.’ No other commandment is greater than these (Mark 12:29-31; NLT).

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

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

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

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV). 

Sickness (#1 of 2)

Ruth Kirk

I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born (Psalm 22:10; NLT). 

May sickness drive me
Straight into your arms,

And sorrow, draw me
Nearer to your care.

May dread, Lord, bring me
Closer to your heart,

And anguish, always lead me
Into prayer.

Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV). 

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

References 

He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; BLB). 

He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38; NIV). 

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NIV). 

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

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT). 

Arriving in heaven

Ruth Kirk

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:3; NIV). 

Jesus,

In your loving arms
All suffering is healed,
In mind and body, heart and soul:
Here, nothing is concealed.

Your mercy and forgiveness flow:
You know how hard we’ve tried.
You’ve watched our sins and failures, Lord;
You’ve seen our foolish pride.

You’ve shared in all our sorrows,
And rejoiced in each success –
But now, your only mission
Is to comfort, heal, and bless.

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 103:3-5; NLT). 

Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).

We look to you

Ruth Kirk

Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you (John 13:14-15; NLT). 

Help us, Lord,
To look to you
As our ideal
In all we do:

To follow you,
And bear our cross;
Encourage others,
Face each loss;

Accept our sorrows,
Love you still,
And always choose
Our Father’s will.

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NLT).

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised (Hebrews 10:36; NLT).

References 

God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NLT).

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

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).

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine (Matthew 10:38; NLT).

Solidarity in suffering

Ruth Kirk

Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20; NLT).

Let’s face our sickness willingly,
Give thanks in Jesus’ name,
And pray for all who suffer,
As we share his sacrifice.

Let’s face our sorrows steadfastly,
Give thanks for them each day,
And ask that all who grieve will know
Christ’s joy, in paradise.

Let’s face our terrors gallantly,
Give thanks for them to God,
And beg that all will trust his Son –
Christ’s courage will suffice.

Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NLT).

I am full of the courage that the LORD’s Spirit gives (Micah 3:8; NET).

References

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT).

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15; NIV).

Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43; NLT). 

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do (Hebrews 4:15; NLT).

You, O LORD…give me victory and restore my courage (Psalm 3:3; GNT).

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; KJB). 

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” (Mark 6:50; NLT).

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

He will give great courage to their warriors who stand at the gates (Isaiah 28:6; NLT). 

30.1.24: Paradoxes

Ruth Kirk
Resurrection: Ruth Kirk.

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

He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him (1 Timothy 6:16; NLT). 

God is in darkness,
And also in light.
God is in weakness,
And also in might.

God is in sorrow,
And also in cheer.
God is in triumph,
And also in fear.

God is in silence,
And also in sound.
God is within us,
And also around.

God is in stillness,
And also in flow.
God is in neighbour,
And also in foe.

God is in giver,
And also in thief.
God is in gladness,
And also in grief.

God is in birth, and in life,
And in breath.
God is in terror, and anguish,
And death.

At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34; NKJV).

When Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46; NKJV).

Reference

There is…one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything (Ephesians 4:5-6; GWT).

19.1.24: Pray within me

Ruth Kirk
Pray within me: Ruth Kirk.

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. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will  (Romans 8:26-7; AMP).

Pray within me, Holy Spirit:
Intercede on my behalf.
Pray for those who face life’s sorrows,
In accordance with God’s will.

Pray within me, Holy Spirit:
You alone know what to ask.
Pray for all who suffer fear and loss,
And everyone who’s ill.

Pray within me, Holy Spirit:
I am weak, but you are strong.
Pray for me, whatever comes,
And help me, please, to praise God still.

Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence (Psalm 42:5; HNV).

References

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

I will beg the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him nor know him; but ye know him, for he abides with you, and shall be in you (John 14:15-17; DBT).

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised (Job 1:21; NIV).