Category: unite

Darkness

Ruth Kirk
Image:skeeze, Pixabay

1. Living God,
I’m your unworthy temple,
Where you shroud yourself
In darkness from my sight.

2. My mind, and heart, and soul
Dwell in your darkness,
But your closeness comforts me
Both day and night.

3. Lord, may I accept
This inner darkness,
Trusting in your presence
And your love,

4. Then I’ll gladly walk with you
In darkness,
Where we are one,
United through Christ’s blood.

References

1. I am not even worthy to come and meet you (Luke 7:7; NLT).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

He shrouded himself in darkness (2 Samuel 22:12; NLT).

No one has ever seen God (John 1:18; NLT).

2. He has made me dwell in darkness (Psalm 143:3; NKJV).

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).

3. You have taken away my companions and my loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

We have put our trust in his love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

4. If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God (Isaiah 50:10; NLT)

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

You have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13; NLT).

May all discover you

Ruth Kirk
Image: Valerio Romane, Pixabay

1. Lord,
May all discover you today,
Turning to you,
And trusting in your care.

2. Lord,
May all rejoice in you today,
Embracing you,
And casting off despair.

3. Lord,
May all remain in you today,
Walking with you,
And facing every test.

4. Lord,
May all unite with you today,
Living in you,
And finding perfect rest.

References

1. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13; NLT).

Repent of your sins and turn to God (Matthew 3:2; NLT).

He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7; NIV).

2. His name is the Lord – rejoice in his presence! (Psalm 68:4; NLT).

Israel will embrace her God (Jeremiah 31:22; NLT).

He lifted me out of the pit of despair (Psalm 40:2; NLT).

3. Remain in me, and I will remain in you (John 15:4; NLT).

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

In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

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

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

In your presence

Ruth Kirk

1. Father,
I am always in your presence.
Please help me to remember you today –
Constantly attentive to your guidance,
The still, small voice within, that shows the way.

2. Father,
I am always in your presence.
Please help me to remain in you today –
Constantly rejoicing in your goodness,
And following your Son, so I don’t stray.

3. Father,
I am always in your presence.
Please help me to commune with you today –
Constantly confessing my transgressions,
Always quick to listen, and obey.

4. Father,
I am always in your presence.
Please help me to unite with you today –
Constantly beseeching your forgiveness,
And serving you in all I do, and say.

References

1. You have brought me into your presence forever (Psalm 41:12; NLT).

Remember the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 8:18; NLT).

After the fire [came] a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; NKJV).

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go” (Isaiah 30:21; NLT).

2. Remain in me, and I will remain in you (John 15:4; NLT).

Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

May your faithful people rejoice in your goodness (2 Chronicles 6:41; NIV).

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).

3. Commune with your own heart (Psalm 77:6; KJV).

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

If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just (1 John 1:9; NLT).

Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

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

“O Lord,” I prayed, “have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you” (Psalm 41:4; NLT).

Serve only the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father (Colossians 3:17; NLT).

My body

Ruth Kirk

1. My body, Lord,
Goes out into the world:
One with you,
And all I apprehend.

2. My mind, Lord,
Reaches out into the world:
One with you,
And everyone you send.

3. My heart, Lord,
Celebrates with all the world:
One with you,
And everything you make.

4. My soul, Lord,
Is united with the world:
One with you
And all, for your Son’s sake.

References

1. There is one Lord […] who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

2. Though we are many […] we are one body (1 Corinthians 10:17; NLT).

3. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts (Psalm 21:13; NLT).

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1-2; NIV).

Rejoice forever in my creation! (Isaiah 65:18; NLT).

4. You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).

We ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake (2 Corinthians 4:5; NLT).

United

Ruth Kirk

1. United, Father, with your mind,
I freely leave my self behind.

2. United, Father, with your heart,
I gladly let my self depart.

3. United, Father, with your soul,
I lose my self to be made whole.

4. United: Father, Spirit, Son –
I need no self, for all are one.

References

1. 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).

2. The dust returns to the ground it came from and the Spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

3. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

4. You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).

Mary’s song

Ruth Kirk

My lover is mine, and I am his (Song of Songs 2:16; NLT).

1. Waves of darkness overwhelm me,
Filling me with pure delight.

2. Waves of rapture inundate me:
This, the moment we unite.

3. Waves of wonder overcome me,
Flooding me with deepest awe.

4. Waves of love, Lord, saturate me:
We are one for evermore.

References

1. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour! (Luke 1:47; NLT).

2. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (Luke 1:35; NLT).

3. Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean (Luke 1:29; NLT).

4. You have found favour with God! (Luke 1:30; NLT).

From earth to infinity

Ruth Kirk

1. From earth, Lord, to infinity
We all return, one day.

2. From suffering to perfect health
Our spirits fly away.

3. From wretchedness to happiness
Our souls, at last, will come

4. From death to immortality,
When our race has been run.

5. Yet all this can be ours in life:
Your kingdom is so near –

6. A prayer, kind word, or action
And your kingdom, Lord, is here.

7. Then we will live in heaven on earth,
Released from fear and sin,

8. United in our love, Lord,
For your kingdom is within!

References

1. Return, O my soul, to your rest (Psalm 116:7: ESV).

2. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4; NLT).

3. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21; NIV).

4. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life (Romans 2:7; NIV).
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful (2 Timothy 4:7; NLT).

5. Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven (Philippians 1:27; NLT).
The Kingdom of God is near (Luke 10:11; NLT).

6. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).
The Kingdom of God is already among you (Luke 17:21; NLT).

7. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18; NKJV).
He gave his life to free us from from every kind of sin (Titus 2:14; NLT).

8. Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).
The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; NKJV).

My small soul

Ruth Kirk

1. In death, I’ll quit this body,
My mind and heart, Lord, too,
But my small soul will still be strong
For it will merge with you.

2. In death, I’ll quit this body,
With all its scars and pain,
But my small soul will rest in you,
When we unite again.

References

1. March on with courage, my soul! (Judges 5:21; NLT).

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

2. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body (Psalm 38:7; NLT).

Return, O my soul, to your rest (Psalm 116:7: ESV).