Category: strength

God’s presence

Ruth Kirk

I will lie down and sleep peacefully,
for you, Lord, make me safe and secure
(Psalm 4:8; NET). 

1. I sleep in your presence,
Absorbing your love,
Soothed by your peace, Lord,
And safe in your arms.

2. I wake in your presence,
Suffused by your light,
Hearing your voice, Lord,
And learning your truth.

3. I rise in your presence,
Accepting each loss,
And, trusting your strength, Lord,
I take up my cross.

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).

References 

1. God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

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

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

I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord (Ezekiel 34:15; NLT).

The everlasting Gods is a refuge, and underneath you are his eternal arms (Deuteronomy 33:27; NET).

2. When I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:18; NLT).

God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

God speaks time and again, but a person may not notice it (Job 33:14; CSB). 

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

Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught (Luke 10:39; NLT).

3. Rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you (Acts 26:16; NKJV). 

Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).

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

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

Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20; NLT).

The Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:4; KJV).

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy (Psalm 28:7; NLT). 

In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall (Psalm 18:29; NLT). 

Celtic Christianity (#1 of 2)

Ruth Kirk

Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

Pray throughout each task you do:
Ask the Lord to strengthen you.
Extol his name both night and day,
And glorify him, come what may.

Care for everyone you meet.
Welcome sickness and defeat.
Adore creation, sing, rejoice,
And listen for his still, small voice.

Grasp how life and death combine:
Play your part in God’s design.
Accept that everything must cease,
And revel in his perfect peace.

Worship; value all he sends.
Thank him when your time here ends,
Then leave your body far behind –
Return to God: bliss unconfined!

Into your hands I commit my spirit (Psalm 31:5; NIV).

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

A step ahead

Ruth Kirk

The Lord went ahead of them (Exodus 13:21; NLT). 

1. Lord,
You’re just a step ahead:
My hope, my strength, my wine, my bread;
I want to learn from all you said
And serve you.

2. Lord,
You’re always very near:
My help, when I am faced with fear;
I want to follow, thank, revere
And serve you.

3. Lord,
You’re just a breath away:
My light, my truth, my life, my way;
May I grow more like you each day
And serve you.

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

References

1. My hope is in you (Psalm 39:7; CSB). 

The sovereign Lord is my source of strength Habakkuk 3 10; NET).

He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people – an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it” (1 Corinthians 11:25; NLT). 

I am the living bread that came down from from heaven (John 6:51; NLT).

Learn from me (Matthew 11:29; NIV). 

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

2. We give thanks because you are near, Lord (Psalm 75:1; NLT). 

God is my help (Psalm 54:4; NIV). 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you (Psalm 56:3; NIV). 

Follow me and be my disciple (Matthew 9:9; NLT).

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

Let all the people of the world revere him (Psalm 33:8; NIV).

Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all (Mark 9:35; NIV).

3. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NLT).

I am the light of the world (John 8:12; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; 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). 

Serve the Lord with all your heart (1 Samuel 12:20; NIV). 

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

My failing strength

Ruth Kirk

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). 

Lord,
My failing strength declares
Your kindness,
For you hear my prayers,

Lord,
My fragile mind exalts
That you forgive
My sins and faults.

Lord,
My fainting heart adores
Your holy name,
For I am yours.

Lord,
My anxious soul reveres
Your presence,
For you calm my fears.

Lord,
My weary life depends
On your great love,
Which never ends.

The life of every living thing is in his hand,
and the breath of every human being.
(Job 12:10; NLT). 

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

May I greet my death

Ruth Kirk

Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46; NIV).

1. May I greet my death
With open hands,
Leaving this troubled world
And life’s demands,
Quitting these lonely hills
And shining sands,
Ready to face
Your darkest shadowlands.

2. May I welcome death
Without dismay,
Leaving this worn-out body
To decay,
Longing to seek your presence
Straight away,
Closer to you, by far,
Than yesterday.

3. May I cross death’s sea
And step ashore
Into your waiting arms,
As you restore
My body, health, and strength.
Then I’ll explore
Our oneness, Lord, in love
For evermore.

🖤

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).

References

1. Yea, though I walk in 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).

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

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13; NLT). 

3. God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself (Psalm 49:15; NIV).

While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NIV).

When we die and leave this earthly body …we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself (2 Corinthians 5:1; NLT). 

His unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth (Psalm 103:11; NLT).

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

 

 

I lack the strength

Ruth Kirk

I don’t have the strength to endure (Job 6:11; NLT).

1. I lack the strength to serve you, Lord,
To give back all that’s due,
So I can only show my love
In everything I do.

2. I lack the words to praise your name,
To honour you, or pray,
So I can only show my love
Through everything I say.

3. I lack the strength to bear my cross,
To follow as I ought,
So I can only show my love
By checking every thought.

4. I lack the words to worship you –
Lord, touch my soul, and heal,
Then I will show my love for you
Through everything I feel.

🖤

Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions,
than capturing a city (Proverbs 16:32; CSB).

References 

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

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

3. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart (Deuteronomy 15:9; ESV).

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

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

 

 

Fire against fire

Ruth Kirk

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
(Luke 21:10; NLT). 

1. Fire against fire,
And hate against hate;
Fear against fear:
Lord, it’s too late!

2. Hope beyond hope,
And light beyond light;
Strength beyond strength:
Lord, you are life!

3. Peace upon peace,
And good upon good;
Truth upon truth:
Lord, you are love!

🖤

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

 

References 

1. How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes (Luke 19:42; NLT). 

2. “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11; NLT).

I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life (John 8:12; NLT).

Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! (Revelation 7:12; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

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

Only God is truly good (Mark 10:18; NLT). 

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

 

 

Two short prayers

Ruth Kirk

1. I love you, Lord 


You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (Luke 10:27; NLT).

I love you, Lord,
With all my mind,
And trust in you alone.

I love you, Lord,
With all my heart,
And follow you alone.

I love you, Lord,
With all my soul,
And worship you alone.

I love you, Lord,
With all my strength,
And serve you, Lord, alone.

🖤

Serve him alone (Matthew 4:10; CPDV).

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

 

2. I love you more, Lord


I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding (Philippians 1:9; NLT). 

I love you more, Lord,
Every day,
And pray to you alone.

I love you more
With every step,
And learn from you alone.

I love you more
With every test,
And cleave to you alone.

I love you more
With every breath,
And live in you alone.

🖤

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).

 

Help me to seek you

Ruth Kirk


When you seek me in prayer and worship,
you will find me available to you.
(Jeremiah 29:13; NET).

Help me to seek you,
And always to love.
Help me to worship you, Father, above.

Help me to find you,
And never let go.
Help me to follow you, Jesus, below.

Help me to serve you,
And always to pray.
Help me to live in you, Spirit, each day.

Help me to trust you,
And never to sin.
Help me, and strengthen me, Lord God, within.

🖤

All who live in love live in God,
and God lives in them.
(1 John 4:16; NLT).

 

Praying for others

Ruth Kirk

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

1. I pray for those
Who have no strength
To face their fears,
Or cope with pain:

Lord, please dry their tears,
And help them through. 

2. I pray for those
Who have no mind
For making peace,
Or giving care:

Help them to be kind,
And heal them, too. 

3. I pray for those
Who have no heart
For loving others,
Or for truth:

Lord, please help them turn to you,
And grow.

4. I pray for those
Who have no soul
For reaching out
To take your hand:

Hold them tight,
And never let them go.

🖤

References 

Your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT). 

The life of every living thing is in his hand (Job 12:10; NLT).

If I say, “My foot is slipping,” your loving devotion, O Lord, supports me (Psalm 94:18; BSB).

🖤