Category: suffer

Rejoice

Ruth Kirk

Here is a recording of today’s prayer: Rejoice

Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17; NIV).

No matter what befalls me, Lord,
May I rejoice in you;
And when I suffer pain or loss,
May I rejoice in you.

No matter how depressed I am,
May I rejoice in you;
And when I’m feeling anxious, Lord,
May I rejoice in you.

When I’m in death’s dark valley, Lord,
May I rejoice in you;
Then, when I reach your Kingdom, Lord,
I will rejoice in you.

My soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation (Psalm 32:11; NIV).

References

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). 

He will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The LORD has spoken! In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” (Isaiah 25:7-9; NLT). 

I find you

Ruth Kirk

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death (Philippians 3:10; NLT). 

Lord,
I find you in my sickness,
Grief, depression, fear and pain.
Suffering with you is freedom:
Every loss becomes a gain.

Lord,
I meet you in acceptance,
Knowing that you always care.
Suffering with you: my mission:
Every sigh becomes a prayer.

Lord,
I long to serve your kingdom.
May each hardship be a cue
To intercede for all who suffer,
As I strive to follow you.

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).

References 

Verse 1:
Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).
The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17; NLT).
You live under the freedom of God’s grace (Romans 6:14; NLT).
The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).
To live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21; ANT).
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28; NIV).

Verse 2:
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul (Psalm 31:7; NLT).
This has been given to you on behalf of Christ, not only so that you may believe in him, but even so that you may suffer with him (Philippians 1:29; CPDV).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Verse 3:
We must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22; 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).
Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him (Colossians 2:6; NLT).

Suffering

Ruth Kirk

You have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him (Philippians 1:29; GNT).

Let’s suffer on behalf of those
Who do not know the Lord,

And ask Him to forgive their sins,
To make their bodies whole,

To heal their hearts, and minds, and lives,
And help them come to Him –

The God who longs to win their love,
And save each precious soul.

He jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us (James 4:5; NIV). 

God our Savior… wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4; NLT).

Redemptive suffering: #3

Ruth Kirk

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). 

May every sweat become a prompt
To pray for those with fever,

And every ache, a cue to pray
For those who suffer pain.

May every fear become a chance
To pray for those in anguish,

And every tear, a spur to pray
For those who hope in vain.

Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost (Ezekiel 37:11; AMP). 

Weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15; AMP).

Redemptive suffering: #1

Ruth Kirk

“Redemptive suffering” means using the pain you are going through to help other people.” (Rick Warren, “What is redemptive suffering?” PastorRick.Com).

Even when he was dying on the cross, Jesus prayed for others. Isaiah foretold this when he wrote: “You exposed yourself to death itself, and allowed yourself to be counted among criminals, while you bore the guilt of many and interceded for sinners” (Isaiah 53:12; TIB). 

Astonishingly, we can choose to follow Christ’s example. In order to do so, we must first learn to accept the sufferings God gives us with a willing heart. Then we can offer them to him as a sacrifice, whilst praying for the forgiveness, healing and salvation of others.

Combining suffering and prayer in this way is called: redemptive suffering. St. Paul refers to it when he writes: “I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church” (Colossians 1:24; NLT).

So, let’s take up our cross each day, and gladly follow Christ’s example of praying for others whilst we ourselves are suffering, for by suffering on our behalf he has left us an example, so we can follow in His footsteps (see 1 Peter 2:21; AMP).

Now, after this unusually long introduction, here is today’s prayer:

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). 

Suffer on behalf of others,
Praying, “Lord, forgive their sins.”

Suffer on behalf of others,
Asking, “Lord, please make them whole.”

Suffer on behalf of others,
Begging, “Lord, redeem their lives.”

Suffer on behalf of others,
Making love your highest goal.

Let love be your highest goal! (1 Corinthians 14:1; NLT).

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

References

When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-4; CSB).

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion (Psalm 103:2-4; 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).

Whatever happens to you, accept it (Sirach 2:4; NJB).

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

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? (Job 2:10; NIV).

Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen (Romans 11:36; NLT). 

The LORD gives both death and life (I Samuel 2:6; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).

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

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

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

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). 

Shared suffering #2

Ruth Kirk

Below are the first two lines of the prayer I posted on 14.2.24. (see https://wp.me/p45bCr-gdT):

Lord,
We suffer along with you;
You suffer along with us.

…and here is what followed that prayer the very next morning:

Lord,
May we suffer with others,
As you did,
By caring for family, neighbour,
And friend.

Lord,
May we suffer with others,
As you did,
By helping the sick, and the poor,
Without end.

Lord,
May we suffer with others,
As you did,
By welcoming strangers,
Not turning aside.

Lord,
May we suffer with others,
As you did,
By loving our enemies:
You are our guide.

To you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them (Luke 6:27-9; NIV).

References 

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink (Proverbs 25:21; NLT).  

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:14-15; NLT).

He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die (Psalm 48:14; 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). 

Shared suffering

Ruth Kirk

Since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT). 

Lord,
We suffer along with you;
You suffer along with us.
Help us to carry our cross with love,
Although we are only dust.

Lord,
We suffer within your heart;
You suffer within our soul.
Help us to walk in your narrow way,
For you are our only goal.

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT). 

My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death (Philippians 3:10; CSB).

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).

4.12.23: Worry

Ruth Kirk

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7; NLT).

Whenever you worry,
Just worry with God;
Whenever you weep,
Weep with Him.

Whenever you panic,
Just panic with God;
Share all that you face,
Even sin.

Whenever you stumble,
You stumble with God,
So turn to Him quickly,
Reach out –

For the Father is waiting;
He suffers with you;
Trust His love; take his hand:
Never doubt.

Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:29-31; NIV).