1. Touch my body,
Bind each wound,
For I am faint,
My strength, consumed.
2. Touch my mind,
Correct each thought,
Until I realise
I am naught.
3. Touch my heart,
Yoke me to good,
And fill me with
Your perfect love.
4. Touch my soul,
Make me like Christ
Your Son –
A living sacrifice.
🖤
References
1. He has injured us but he will bind up our wounds (Hosea 6:1; NIV).
My life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed (Psalm 31:10; KJV).
2. The Lord corrects those he loves (Proverbs 3:12; NLT).
I am nothing but dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27; NIV).
3. Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19; NIV).
We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).
4. 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).
So, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1; NLT).
Lord God,
Please help me
To love you with all my heart,
Share every thought with you,
Draw all my strength from you,
Unite my soul with yours,
And serve you as best I can
Throughout today.
🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
References
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (Luke 10:27; NLT).
Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).
Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).
You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).
Pour out your heart to him (Psalm 62:8; NLT).
The Lord God is my strength (Isaiah 12:2; NLT).
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).
Do you find contemplation difficult, or even impossible? Does your mind constantly slip away from observing the thoughts, emotions and physical sensations bubbling up within you, becoming caught up with them, instead? If so, you might like to try a different approach.
A fresh approach
1. Sit, lie, or stand comfortably, or walk, if you feel restless.
2. Ask God to help you with everything you are going to share with him.
3. Let your breathing be however it is. If you are still, you can close your eyes if you wish.
4. Notice the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations arising within you, and share them honestly with God. You can do this silently, or aloud, whatever suits you best. Tell him anything you want to, even if you think you shouldn’t feel, or think, that way.
5. Ask God to help you with each issue you tell him about, listening for his still, small voice in response. It doesn’t matter if you move on to a new concern before you have finished talking to him about something else. It doesn’t matter if you fall asleep. You are always in God’s arms, like a little child, and he already knows everything you are experiencing and sharing with him. This kind of contemplation is about being yourself, and being honest with God.
6. Do this for whatever amount of time you wish, long or short; again, it doesn’t matter. Thank God for listening, understanding, caring, and helping you. Then continue with your day.
Conclusion
With practice, you may find that you can continue sharing your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations with God whilst you are doing simple tasks. He lives within you, so you can commune with him in your heart whenever, and wherever, you want.
In time, always aware of his presence, you will unhesitatingly share everything with him, and this is a vital part of what it means to love both God and yourself.
Image: Anja, Pixabay
References
Introduction
As I stood there is silence – not even speaking of good things – the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words (Psalm 39:2-3; NLT).
A fresh approach
1. Be still in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 37:7; NLT).
I cannot be still (Jeremiah 4:19; NLT).
2. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14; NLT).
3. The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10; NLT).
4. Pour out your heart to him (Psalm 62:8; NLT).
Lord, you are searching for honesty (Proverbs 11:5; NLT).
Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).
5. He will be gracious if you ask for help (Isaiah 30:19; NLT).
Tell God what you need (Philippians 4:6; NLT).
Listen to his voice (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).
The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).
He knows the secrets of every heart (psalm 44:21; NLT).
6. Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help (Psalm 86:5; NLT).
Conclusion
I know the Lord is always with me (Psalm 16:8; NLT).
There is […] one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:4,6; NLT).
You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
Commune with your own heart (Psalm 77:6; KJV).
Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; CSB).
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:29; NLT).
Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).
My old self has been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me
(Galatians 2:20; NLT).
1. The love of Christ
Shines in my hands.
2. He walks with me
To light the way.
3. The breath of Christ
Sustains my life.
4. He gives me hope
And strength each day.
5. The blood of Christ
Beats in my heart.
6. He touches me
To make me whole.
7. The peace of Christ
Calms all my fears:
8. He makes his home
Within my soul.
References
1. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end (John 13:1; NLT).
2. 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).
3. He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22; NLT).
4. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; NLT).
5. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28; NIV).
6. When Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her (Matthew 8:15; NLT).
7. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you (John 14:27; NKJV).
He will calm all your fears (Zephaniah 3:17; NLT).
8. 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).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
