thought – Seeking God's face together

Every breath

January 18, 2022January 18, 2022Ruth Kirk

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
(Romans 8:26; RSV).

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

Let every breath
Become a prayer:
Feelings, thoughts, words, deeds –
The same.

Let every sigh
Become a prayer,
As we hold fast
To Jesus’ name.

Let every stress
Become a prayer:
Pain, sickness, sorrow,
Sins and fears.

Let every test
Become a prayer –
Because our Father
Always hears.

🖤

The angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son.
You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’),
for the Lord has heard your cry of distress.”
(Genesis 16:11; NLT).

We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for (1 John 5:14; NLT).

Your Little Way*

January 12, 2022January 18, 2022Ruth Kirk

Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18; RSV).

1. Thank you, Lord,
For this new day.
Please guide me
On your Little Way,

2. So I will feel, think,
Say, and do
Everything with love,
For you.

3. No matter what
You give or take,
May I accept it
For your sake,

4. Then I will feel, think,
Say, and do
Everything with love,
Like you.

🖤

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
(Galatians 5:6; NIV).

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
(1 John 3:16; NLT).

References

1. The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life (Matthew 7:14; NASB).

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love (Ephesians 5:2; NIV).

2. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT)

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2; NLT).

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

Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

3. Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; CSB).

My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NIV).

4. As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).

*As taught by Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux.

You always know

December 31, 2021Ruth Kirk

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
(Psalm 139:1; NIV).

Whatever I say, Lord, when I pray,
You know the truth.

Whatever I do in privacy,
You know, for sure.

Whatever I think, Lord, every day,
You know the facts.

Whatever I feel, but don’t admit,
You know the score.

✝️

God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
(1 John 3:20; NLT).

You already know

December 23, 2021Ruth Kirk

Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

Lord,

1. As I talk with you each day,
I’m only telling you
Things you already know.

2. And, though you hear each word I say,
You also perceive my hidden thoughts,
And how I really feel.

3. So, may I be honest when I pray:
Speaking the truth in love,
Just like your Son.

✝️

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

References

1. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:4; NIV).

2. You, Lord, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you (Psalm 69:5; NIV).

The Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7; NIV).

God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything (1 John 3:20; NLT).

3. You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

More like you

December 20, 2021Ruth Kirk

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).

Christ Jesus,
Make me more like you
In thought, and word, and deed;
A little more like you each day,
By helping those in need.

Lord Jesus,
Make me more like you
In patience, joy, and peace;
A little more like you each day,
Forgiving without cease.

Christ Jesus,
Make me more like you
In kindness, truth, and prayer;
A little more like you each day,
Ready to give, and share.

Lord Jesus,
Make me more like you
In mind, and heart, and soul;
A little more like you each day,
Until, at last, I’m whole.

✝️

We will be like him (1 John 3:2; NLT).

His hands make whole (Job 5:18; NKJV).

Share each thought

December 16, 2021Ruth Kirk

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

1. May I share each thought with you,
Until we’re of one mind;

2. May my speech become like yours:
Patient; honest; kind;

3. May my deeds be full of love, like yours,
Till we are one,

4. Then it will be no longer I who lives,
But you, God’s only Son.

✝️

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.
(Galatians 2:20; NLT).

References

1. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart (Deuteronomy 15:9; ESV).

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

3. Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:13-14; NLT).

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).

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).

We will be like him. (1 John 3:2; NLT).

With me (#1 of 3)

November 6, 2021November 7, 2021Ruth Kirk

The Lord is always with me.
(Psalm 16:8; NLT).

Lord,
You’re always with me:
You hear every word I say,
And, staying close beside me,
You see all I do, each day.

Lord,
You know my foolish thoughts:
You live within my mind.
You suffer my emotions, too,
For you are always kind.

Lord,
You dwell within my soul:
You share my pain and loss,
And, as we walk together,
You support my heavy cross.

🖤

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour,
who daily bears our burdens.
(Psalm 68:19; NIV).

Like you

September 17, 2021Ruth Kirk

Live a life filled with love,
following the example of Christ
(Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

My Lord, my God, my Brother,
May I grow more like you,
By treating my emotions with acceptance,
And with care.

My Lord, my God, my Teacher,
May I grow more like you,
By mending each judgemental thought
Immediately, in prayer.

My Lord, my God, my Shepherd,
May I grow more like you,
By speaking kindly, making sure
That all I say is true.

My Lord, my God, my Saviour,
May I grow more like you,
By doing everything with love –
Then I’ll be more like you.

Do everything with love
(1 Corinthians 16:14; 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).

My hands are soiled

September 10, 2021Ruth Kirk

From within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you
(Mark 7:20-23; NLT).

My hands are soiled.
My tongue has lied.
My feet have followed
Foolish ways.

My heart is cold;
My judgments, harsh.
My thoughts betray you
All my days.

My faith is weak.
My hope has gone.
My love for you, and all,
Falls short.

Lord, rescue me!
Forgive my sins,
And lead me on
The way you taught.