Category: Teacher

6.6.23. You are our Father

Ruth Kirk
Ramdion, Pixabay.

This prayer arrived yesterday morning whilst I lay very still, praying without words. I have included more references than usual, as Biblical imagery about God is so rich.

O LORD, you are our Father (Isaiah 64:8; NLT).

Will I, who causes others to give birth, not also give birth myself, says the Lord? Will I, who bestows generation upon others, be barren myself, says the Lord your God? (Isaiah 66:9; CPDV).

You are our Father,
And our Mother;
You are our Sister,
And our Brother;
You are our Husband,
Wife, and Lover;
You are our God:
We want no other.

You are our Bridegroom,
And our Bride;
You are our Shepherd,
Way, and Guide;
You’re the Companion
At our side;
Living within us:
You provide.

You are our Master,
Saviour, Friend;
Teach us, Lord, help us,
And defend;
Pardon our sins,
Our faults, transcend;
Make us like you, Lord:
Love without end.

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

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

References

Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; female and male, God made them (Genesis 1:27; TIB).

For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant (Isaiah 42:14; NIV).

You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth (Deuteronomy 32:18; NIV).

As a mother consoles a child, so I will console you (Isaiah 66:13; NET).

Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother (Matthew 12:50; NLT).

I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NLT).

You are our God (2 Chronicles 14:11; NLT).

God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (Isaiah 62:5; NLT).

I promised you as a pure bride to one husband – Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; NLT).

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT).

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

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat (2 Corinthians 9:10; NLT).

You are my Master (Psalm 16:2; NLT).

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection (Psalm 18:2; 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).

30.5.23: In your presence

Ruth Kirk
The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, by Charles Nicolas Cochin II.

Today’s prayer came to me yesterday, as I prayed in silence:

He breathed on them, and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22; NLT). 

Breathe on us; call to us;
Draw us towards you, Lord:
Show us your presence,
And teach us your way.

Help us to walk with you,
Praying and praising:
Safe in your presence,
By night and by day.

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

References 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 22:4; NIV). 

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise (James 5:13; NIV).

You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love (Psalm 31:20-21; NLT). 

29.5.23: We praise you

Ruth Kirk
The Healing of the Blind Man and the Raising of Lazarus Date: first half 12th century (possibly 1129–34), metmuseum.com.

This prayer arrived when I was praying without words very sleepily last Saturday morning. Having just learned how to make videos here after 10 years of using WordPress every day, here is a recording of it, in case that’s better for you than print: IMG_3546

We praise you, Lord (Psalm 21:13; GNT).

We praise you, Lord,
And worship you;
We learn from you,
And follow you;
Believe in you,
And long for you:
Our Teacher.

We love you, Lord,
And serve with you;
We trust in you,
Rejoice in you;
Depend on you,
And pray to you:
Our Master.

We grieve with you,
And yield with you;
Accept with you,
Endure with you;
We suffer and unite
With you,
Our Saviour. 

He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:6; NLT).

References

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).

Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! (Luke 17:13; NLT).

Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:11; NLT).

Something extra


Here is a link to a gallery of photos which tell the story of a beautiful, short walk we enjoyed last Saturday. I apologise for having messed up my sharing of this yesterday, and hope it will work properly. I can’t claim to be a mistress of technology! Just click on the live link if you would like to view it: https://wp.me/P45bCr-eaC.

11.5.23: My way

Ruth Kirk
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay.

This prayer came to me yesterday morning, when I was saying grace before breakfast. It began with just the first two lines, which I noted down, expecting nothing further. However, over the following hour the rest slowly arrived, line by line, until it was complete. Then, to my surprise, tomorrow’s prayer came, too, forming a linked pair.

I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me (Psalm 131:2; NLT). 

Nothing to ask for,
Nothing to say,
Nothing I need, Lord:
You are my way. 

You are my water,
You are my food,
You are my Teacher:
You are my truth.

Father, in sickness, 
Jesus, in strife,
Spirit, in sorrow:
You are my life.

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

27.4.23: You are One

Ruth Kirk
Sunrise, on Pixabay

Given how I feel at present, I’m particularly thankful for this short blog, which arrived whilst I was half-asleep.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT). 

Yahweh:
Father God, and Mother;

Christ:
My Shepherd, Teacher, Brother;

Holy Ghost:
My Sister, Lover –

You are One:
I need no other.

The Lord our God, the Lord is one (Mark 12:29; NIV). 

References 

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

All creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (Romans 8:22; NLT).

I will proclaim God’s decree – YHWH said to me: “You are my own; I’ve given birth to you today” (Psalm 2:7; TIB). 

Christ:  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep (John 10: 11; NLT).

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT). 

Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:31-5; NLT). 

Holy Ghost:  Say to wisdom, “You are my sister” (Proverbs 7:4; NIV).

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

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him –  the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2; NIV).

I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NLT). 

Oneness:  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; NIV).

A reading: Mark 12:28-31; NIV

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

18.4.23: Always with me

Ruth Kirk
Wikimedia

This prayer began to arrive last Tuesday, during a physiotherapy session. I had to remember it whilst having treatment on my back, neck and knees until I could jot it down afterwards. Fortunately, the following day gave me time to work on it.

“I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the LORD, “and I will be its glory within” (Zechariah 2:5; NIV).

All around me, and within,
Free from blame, Lord, and from sin,
You are with me, come what may:
I’ll listen for your voice today.

Deep within me, and without,
Free from dread, Lord, and from doubt,
You are with me, come what may:
I’ll hear you gladly, and obey.

So, before me, and beside,
You instruct me, Lord, and guide,
Always with me, come what may:
So I’ll give thanks, rejoice and 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).

References 

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

I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT). 

This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him (Matthew 17:5; NLT). 

God is with those who obey him (Psalm 14:5; NLT).

He guides me along right paths (Psalm 23:3; NLT). 

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

14.4.23: Glance in the mirror

Ruth Kirk
As soon as I surfaced from sleep yesterday, and before I had even begun to pray, these verses started to arrive. Their background is that a day or two ago I looked at myself in a mirror, and, for the first time ever, smiled spontaneously at myself with a degree of love and acceptance.

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

I glance in the mirror,
And see you within,
Ready to save me
From weakness and sin.

I look in the mirror,
And greet you within:
My Light, my Redeemer,
My Shepherd and King.

I watch in the mirror,
And meet you within:
My Guide and my Teacher,
My Healer, my kin.

I smile in the mirror,
And love you within.
My heart is content, Lord:
No wonder I sing!

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! (Psalm 108:1; NLT).

References 

The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

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

Don’t you realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16; NLT).

Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body? (1 Corinthians 6:15; CSB).

You …are complete through your union with Christ (Colossians 2:10; NLT).

A reading from 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; NLT.

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. 

All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.

The Rosary Hospital

This is the Fiat rosary I started yesterday. It’s now finished, and ready for packing.

14.4.23: Glance in the mirror

Ruth Kirk
As soon as I surfaced from sleep yesterday, and before I had even begun to pray, these verses started to arrive. Their background is that a day or two ago I looked at myself in a mirror, and, for the first time ever, smiled spontaneously at myself with a degree of love and acceptance.

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

I glance in the mirror,
And see you within,
Ready to save me
From weakness and sin.

I look in the mirror,
And greet you within:
My Light, my Redeemer,
My Shepherd and King.

I watch in the mirror,
And meet you within:
My Guide and my Teacher,
My Healer, my kin.

I smile in the mirror,
And love you within.
My heart is content, Lord:
No wonder I sing!

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! (Psalm 108:1; NLT).

References 

The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

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

Don’t you realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16; NLT).

Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body? (1 Corinthians 6:15; CSB).

You …are complete through your union with Christ (Colossians 2:10; NLT).

A reading from 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; NLT.

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. 

All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.

The Rosary Hospital

This is the Fiat rosary I started yesterday. It’s now finished, and ready for packing.

20.1.23: Teach us to pray

Ruth Kirk

Yesterday morning I began praying with my prayer circlet for the first time. Suddenly, on the seventh bead, today’s blog started to arrive:

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1; NLT). 

Lord,

Teach us to pray,
As you taught your disciples.

Help us to pray,
And make our hearts your own.

Pray, Lord, on our behalf,
Without cessation,

Making our fragile souls
Your earthly home.

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).

References 

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). 

I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19; NKJV). 

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).

Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NKJV).

The Rosary Hospital

Now, with plenty of slack in my prayer circlet, and a cross after every ninth bead, I can hold each bead with space on both sides whilst praying. This makes it very easy to know where I’ve got to: I count the beads I’ve already prayed with, and remember which number bead I’ve reached. Then I continue from that place later on.

This new approach does away with the need for a marker. I’m also keeping silence on the cross-beads for as long as it takes for the next prayer to arise in my mind. This silent waiting gives a very unhurried,  unpressured and spacious feel to praying with my circlet. It doesn’t even matter if I don’t get to the “end”, as I can simply start afresh next day.

Of course, the whole point of the circle of prayer is that it has no end, so what I’d like to discover next is a way to join the cord which doesn’t “interrupt” the circlet of beads. If anyone has any ideas about how to do this, please could you let me know?

Stop press: Yesterday evening I found a couple of different connectors at my favourite on-line rosary parts shop. Having sent for them, I’m now waiting as patiently as possibly for their arrival!

22.12.22: Jesus

Ruth Kirk

Context: I wrote this prayer very late at night a few days ago, after a really bad day health-wise. I was exhausted, and it was time to settle down, but the words were so insistent that I had to rough them out as best I could, then work on them next day. This prayer falls naturally into two related halves:

1. He refreshes my soul (Psalm 23:4; NIV). 

Jesus refreshes me,
Jesus instructs;
Jesus delivers me,
Jesus delights.

Jesus releases me,
Jesus protects;
Jesus advises me,
Jesus unites.

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

2. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42; CSB).

Jesus, remember me,
Jesus, forgive;
Jesus, encourage me,
Jesus, defend.

Jesus, unshackle me,
Jesus, console;
Jesus, replenish me –
Jesus, my Friend.

You are my friends if you do what I command (John 15:14; NIV). 

Rosary Hospital news

The hospital had a good day yesterday: one Fiat rosary completed, one parcel prepared for posting, three orders received and a new work-station, which I hope to photograph for you tomorrow, God willing.

Update next morning: I made yesterday’s rosary for myself. When I came to use it in the evening, I discovered that I’ve missed out one bead, so I plan to re-make it today. I’m definitely a perfectionist, but I also really do feel that all my rosaries should be as good as I can make them!

A Fiat Rosary, completed today.