Category: thank

5.6.23: Suffering

Ruth Kirk
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, by
Robert Walter Weir, metmuseum.org.

To my great surprise, this prayer suddenly came to me early last Saturday morning, whilst I was washing my face:

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

Lord,

All our physical and mental sufferings are so much harder to bear when we don’t accept them.

Please teach us to say ‘Yes’ to all you send, and to thank you in all circumstances, knowing that we are always in your hands.

Help us to trust your will, and to endure, for you bring good from everything, including all we think of, Lord, as ‘bad’.

God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).

References 

My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NLT). 

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

Be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38; KJV). 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV). 

Everything comes from him (Romans 11:36; NLT). 

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

Trust him, and he will help you (Psalm 37:5; NLT).

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

Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal (Job 5:17; NIV).

Those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction (Job 36:15; NIV).

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).

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

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

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).

Patient endurance is what you need now (Hebrews 10:36; NLT).

The Rosary Hospital

We have both had a slightly better day than yesterday, so I celebrated by making a Fiat rosary. I love it so much that I’m not sure I can part with it!

26.5.22: Your will

Ruth Kirk
Crown of thorns, courtesy of Pixabay.

One day, recently, soon after beginning to pray, this short poem arrived. I was even able to finish writing it before I had to get up, for which I was very thankful. After breakfast, I sorted out the references. Then it was time to face whatever the day would bring.

Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Yahweh,
May I say, like Christ:
“I want to do your will, not mine”,
Then I’ll give thanks, whatever comes,
Accepting not my will, but thine.

Yahweh,
May I pray, with Christ:
“I want to do your will, not mine”,
Then I’ll rejoice, whatever comes,
For I will be your living shrine.

God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple (1 Corinthians 3:17; NLT).

References

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).

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing (Psalm 143:10; NLT).

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

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

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).

19.5.23: Nothing I need

Ruth Kirk
Image by Christopher Kuszajewski from Pixabay.

Two days ago, I received these verses during wordless prayer. Most unusually, I was able to write them down, then continue the silence without it being broken.

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence (Psalm 16:11; NLT).

There’s nothing I need
But your presence,
Nothing to do
But your will;

Nothing to say
But, “I love you”,
Nothing to see
But your light.

There’s nothing to utter
But, “Jesus“,
Nothing to offer
But thanks;

Nothing I want
But your mercy,
Nothing to do
But unite.

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

References

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

Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).

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

God is light (Job 33:28; NLT).

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).

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

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! (Psalm 57:1; NLT).

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

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).

24.4.23: Saying “Yes” to dread

Ruth Kirk
Image by Tobias Hämmer, from Pixabay.

There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread (Psalm 53:5; NIV). 

Introduction

For the last few weeks I have been exploring my chronic sense of *dread (see https://wp.me/p45bCr-dTm, for example). Today’s blog describes a way of handling it which came to me whilst I was praying a few days ago.

Psalm 74

My dread springs from the trauma and emotional damage I experienced when I was young. A passage in Psalm 74 accurately captures the toxic atmosphere in my childhood home:

Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name. They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land (Psalm 74:3-8; NIV). 

Praying before my icon

Last Wednesday I stood praying before my icon of Mary. As I touched both her hand and that of the infant Christ, I was longing for my dread to disappear. Suddenly I saw a different attitude to living with my dread. Thanking her, I hurried to write it down.

My notes became a prayer which encapsulates this new way forward. Now, I am trying to say, “Yes” to my dread, and to thank God for it, in accordance with the charism of the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham (p10, The Book of Life, Community of Our Lady of Walsingham; 2022). 

Saying “Yes” to dread

So instead of longing for my dread go away, I now pray like this:

Lord, thank you for my sense of dread. It kept me safe when I was young, never knowing when, or where, the axe of my mother’s fury would fall next.

Please help me to welcome and accept my dread, surrounding it with love and gratitude. I want to rejoice in it as my oldest friend: the primitive, instinctive part of me that has protected me since birth.

Healing touch

After saying a spontaneous version of these words, I lay my hand on my abdomen and whisper to my dread: 

My dearest friend, you can relax now. You no longer need to be constantly vigilant, ready to make me freeze, run away, or hide, in order to protect myself. You and I are in God’s hands, and we are safe now, no matter what happens.

A final prayer

Then I end like this:

Lord, thank you for my dread. Please help me to surround it with love. I ask this in your dear Son’s name. Amen.

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

References 

*The symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), include “A pervasive feeling of apprehension or dread” (helpguide.org).

All your waves and breakers have swept over me (Psalm 42:7; NIV).

I am in the hands of the Lord, the Most High is my safe resting-place (Psalm 91:9; BBE).

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).

29.3.23: Pray without speaking

Ruth Kirk

This prayer came to me yesterday morning:

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

Pray, without speaking,
Sing, without sound;
Dance, without moving:
Jesus is near.

Thank him, in trouble,
Praise him, in grief;
Love him, in sickness,
Trust him, in fear.

Strength, in our weakness,
Peace, in our pain;
Light in our darkness:
Jesus is here.

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:27; NLT).

Behold, I am with you every day, even unto the end of time (Matthew 28:20; ABPE).

22.3.23: I want to follow Christ

Ruth Kirk
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus_reconstruction_test_phases_from_Turin_Shroud.jpg

Today’s blog came to me soon after waking up:

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). 

I want to follow Christ
In every thought,
Through gain and loss
To serve him as I ought,
And always keep on praying,
As he taught –
For he is all to me,
Though I am naught.

I want to follow Christ
In all I say,
Through weakness, sin and failure,
Come what may,
And always keep on thanking him
Each day –
For Jesus is my life, my truth,
My way.

I want to follow Christ
In all I do,
Through grief, and pain and sorrow,
Sickness, too,
By sharing in the suffering
He knew –
For all he preached and promised us
Is true.

All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true (1 John 5:10; NLT). 

I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true (John 18:37; NLT).

References 

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

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

May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; NLT). 

I am nothing (Job 40:4; NLT). 

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

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

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT). 

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). 

Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:10; NLT).

The Rosary Hospital

Today I am full of rejoicing, because I’ve been given a steady outlet for my rosaries. Please celebrate this with me!

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Our+Lady+of+Walsingham&title=Special:MediaSearch&type=image

5.3.23: Rejoicing

Ruth Kirk

This is the last of several prayers I received in rapid succession last Wednesday morning:

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). 

Rejoicing comes
Through saying Yes,
No matter what God sends,

And thanking him
With all your heart,
Until this journey ends.

So don’t resist
The Father’s will,
But make it your delight:

Find joy in your vocation,
For you’re precious
In his sight.

You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you (Isaiah 43:4; NLT).

References 

Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called (Ephesians 4:1; KJV). 

Precious is their blood in his sight (Psalm 72:14; NIV). 

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants (Psalm 116:15; NIV). 

24.2.23: The sicker I become

Ruth Kirk

Today’s prayer arrived about week ago. I’ve chosen it for today because I’m resting after a very challenging week.

The dust returns to the ground it came from…

The sicker I become, Lord God,
The closer I will be
To that glad day

When life is done,
And my poor soul,
At last, set free,

Returns to you,
With thanks and praise:
Becoming truly one.

…and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

The Rosary Hospital 

Yesterday I was entrusted with a beautiful, old crucifix which belonged to someone who has died. My husband cleaned it up very carefully, whilst I made a rosary to go with it. It’s not quite finished yet, but this is how it looks so far:

22.2.23: Holy Spirit

Ruth Kirk

Today’s prayer arrived last Friday morning:

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-7; NRSV).

Holy Spirit,
Pray within me:
Pray on my behalf for others.   

Holy Spirit,
Pray within me:
Pray that I’ll grow more like Christ.

Holy Spirit,
Pray within me:
Saying, “Yes”, with me to sickness,

Thanking God
For all he sends:
My life, a willing sacrifice.

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

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).