You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13; NIV).
You make us, Lord,
Watch over us,
And teach us.
You cherish us,
Forgive,
And make us whole.
You live in us,
You share our pain,
And help us.
You walk with us
In death,
And save each soul.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).
He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety (Psalm 18:2; NLT).
You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).
Please teach us
Full repentance, Lord,
For all we’ve done,
And failed to do.
Then we will live
In total freedom
Here, on earth,
Dear Lord, with you.
Please teach us
Full acceptance, Lord,
Of all you give,
And all you take.
Then we will live
Abundantly
In heaven on earth, Lord,
For your sake.
Please teach us
Full assurance, Lord,
That we, like you,
Will rise again.
Then we will live
With thankful hearts,
And bow, rejoicing,
At your name.
God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11; NLT).
Yesterday I woke early, with plenty of time to pray, but almost immediately these simple verses pressed upon me so insistently that I had to write them down. It was as if they wanted to be heard and set down, so they could be remembered and shared.
You must worship the LORD your God (Luke 4:8; NLT).
Father, I worship you;
Jesus, I trust in you;
Spirit, I call on you:
Guide me today.
Father, you cherish me;
Jesus, you ransom me;
Spirit, you sigh for me:
Help me to pray.
Father, I live in you;
Jesus, I follow you;
Spirit, I welcome you:
Teach me your way.
Father, you comfort me;
Jesus, you nourish me;
Spirit you counsel me:
“Love, come what may.”
Love is the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:10; NIV).
Today I’ll let this simple prayer speak for itself:
I love you, LORD (Psalm 18:1; NLT).
Jesus, Teacher, I adore you,
And have faith that you love me.
Help me when my faith falls short:
Lord, listen to my humble plea.
Jesus, Master, I revere you,
And believe that we are one.
Help me, when I’m tired and stressed,
To come to you, God’s only Son.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28; NLT).
References
He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7; CSB).
At once the boy’s father shouted, “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more” (Mark 9:24; CEV).
Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! (Psalm 102:1; NLT).
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29; CSB).
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; NLT).
This prayer came to me yesterday morning as I kissed the cross on my bedroom shrine, then blessed myself with holy water. All I could do was to start writing it down immediately.
To my utter astonishment, the second line of the second verse had already been given to me the day before, though at the time it seemed unconnected with anything else. As always, I had noted it down, but with no idea how it might be used. It was only as I finished roughing out the first verse that I realised the purpose of this precious phrase.
1. Good morning, Mother, Father: Yahweh –
God of gods, and Lord of lords;
My thanks for all you send each day –
The “good” and “bad” that life affords.
2. Good morning, Teacher, Saviour: Jesus –
Son of God, and Son of Man;
You are the sacrifice for sins –
The consummation of God’s plan.
3. Good morning, Ruach: Holy Spirit –
Breath of God, the King of kings;
All life, and truth, and peace are here –
Beneath the shadow of your wings.
Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
(Psalm 63:7; NLT).
Notes and references
Verse 1
* 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).
* “As truly as God is our Father, so truly is God our Mother” (Julian of Norwich).
* “The personal name of God, Yahweh, which is revealed to Moses in Exodus 3, is a remarkable combination of both female and male grammatical endings. The first part of God’s name in Hebrew, “Yah,” is feminine, and the last part, “weh,” is masculine” (David Wheeler-Reed, “What the early church thought about God’s gender”; the conversation.com).
* Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
Verse 2
* The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Hebrews 1:3; NIV).
* The angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35; KJV).
* Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20; NLT).
* He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world (1 John 2:2; NLT).
* Once at the consummation of the ages He has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26; NASB20).
* This is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6; NLT).
Verse 3
* “In Hebrew the word for Spirit (רוח) (ruach) is feminine“ (Gender of the Holy Spirit, Wikipedia).
* God, who knows everything in our hearts, knows perfectly well what the Spirit is saying, because her intercessions for God’s holy people are made according to the mind of God (Romans 8:27; TIB).
* The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life (Job 33:4; KJV).
* The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6; NIV).
* The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
Yesterday I was praying without words in brilliant, white light when this hymn of praise began to arrive. Thinking about it afterwards, the light seemed to be both inside me and all around me. Everything was one, and I was one with everything. I couldn’t see anything but the brightness, which was very beautiful. These verses proved exceptionally difficult to express in words, and I don’t feel I did the whole experience justice at all.
Who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire (Malachi 3:2; NKJV).
1. You are my Maker,
Earth’s living Creator:
A shining, refining,
Unquenchable blaze.
2. You are my Teacher,
My Prophet and Preacher;
My yearning: returning, Lord,
All of my days.
3. You are my treasure,
My wealth beyond measure;
Compelling, indwelling:
My spirit obeys.
4. You are my story,
My future, my glory;
My crying, my dying, Lord:
Far beyond praise.
The Lord our God is great beyond all gods (2 Chronicles 2:5; BST).
References
Verse 1
* He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:1; NIV).
* The LORD your God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).
Verse 2
* I long and yearn for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God (Psalm 84:2; CSB).
* Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28; NLT).
Verse 3
* The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field (Matthew 13:44; CSB).
* Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book (Revelation 22:7; NLT).
Verse 4
* We believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us (Romans 8:23; NLT).
* The LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory (Psalm 84:11; NLT).
Yesterday, whilst I was praying quietly and sleepily, the sudden arrival of these simple, worshipful verses woke me up completely. This piece came together very sweetly, and was easy to put into words.
You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.
(Psalm 89:26; NLT).
1. God, my Father,
And my Mother;
Lord, my Maker:
I love Thee.
2. Christ, my Teacher,
And my Shepherd;
Lord, my Saviour:
I love Thee.
3. Holy Spirit,
Guide, and Helper;
Lord, my Comfort:
I love Thee.
4. Three in One,
And One in Three;
My Lord forever:
I love Thee.
I love thee, O LORD, my strength.
(Psalm 18:1; ERV).
References
Verse 1:
* 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 maker; and we are all the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8; BBE).
Verse 2:
* You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).
* I am the good shepherd (John 10:11; NLT).
* You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18; NLT).
Verse 3:
* Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives (Galatians 5:16; NLT).
* I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever (John 14:16; ESV).
* When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me (John 15:26; ASV).
Verse 4:
* YHWH appeared to Abraham by the oak grove of Mamre, while Abraham sat at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Looking up, Abraham saw three travelers standing nearby (Genesis 18:1-2; TIB).
* Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; NIV).
* You are my God! (Psalm 31:14; NLT).
* He is our God forever and ever (Psalm 48:14; NLT).
When I was praying yesterday morning, I saw the simultaneous Threeness and Oneness of God, all happening continually and eternally in a never-ending moment of nowness. However, I found this pretty well impossible to put into words, so today’s blog is sadly just a pale glimpse of what I was given; I did my best.
God is Spirit – this we know,
And Jesus is God’s human face.
The Holy Ghost is their shared soul,
Uniting them in love and grace.
For God is Three, and God is One:
Our Origin, our life, our end;
Our Elohim, our Guide, our Judge;
Our Saviour, Advocate, and Friend.
Note: Elohim means: Supreme, Mighty One.
Yesterday morning this prayer came to me whilst I was worshipping very sleepily. I didn’t want to break off, but I had to start writing it down in the end. It proved very difficult to express. I’m really sorry that my words are so inadequate and pedestrian, and wish I could do better.
I love you, Lord (Psalm 18:1; NLT).
1. “I love you” –
This is my spirit’s song;
May I repeat it
All day long,
And serve you well,
And do no wrong:
My Teacher.
2. “I love you” –
Lord, though my heart may break,
I’ll say these words
When I awake,
And lift up others
For your sake:
My Saviour.
3. “I love you” –
This is my only prayer,
For you are with me
Everywhere;
One Lord, one God,
Without compare:
My Jesus.
“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
(John 20:28; NLT).
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:9-11; NLT).
References
Verse 1:
🔻 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).
🔻 Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).
🔻 Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
Verse 2:
🔻 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18; NLT).
🔻 When I wake up, you are still with me (Psalm 139:18; 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).
🔻 May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace (Titus 1:4; NLT).
Verse 3:
🔻 I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).
🔻 Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38; NLT).
🔻 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:4-6; NLT).
🔻 This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior (2 Peter 1:1; NLT).
🔻 The Father and I are one (John 10:30; NLT).
🔻 This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:12; NLT).
🔻 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3; NIV).
This prayer came to me at bedtime last Wednesday evening, when I was saying goodnight before my icon of Jesus:
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
(Psalm 23:4; NIV).
1. Even in my dreams you’re with me:
All around me and within.
2. Even in my dreams you love me, Lord,
Protecting me from sin.
3. Even in my dreams you teach me:
Always walking by my side;
4. Even in my dreams you help me:
Lord, my Shepherd, and my guide.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
(Psalm 23:3; NIV).
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
(Psalm 3:5; NIV).
References
Verse 1: If I ascend into heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there! (Psalm 139:8; NKJV).
You, O LORD, are a shield around me (Psalm 3:3; NLT).
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
Verse 2: Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-9; NLT).
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
Verse 3: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29; NLT).
He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds (Job 33:15; NLT).
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
Verse 4: The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me (Psalm 28:7; NIV).
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT).
I am the good shepherd (John 10:11; NIV).