Category: wound

Touch (for A.K.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Jackson David, Unsplash

🖤

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).

God waits

Ruth Kirk

Image: Arek Socha, Pixabay

💙

The Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion
(Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

1. God waits for us
To come to him.
He waits to pardon
All our sin.

2. He waits to bless us
Every day —
And all we need to do
Is pray.

3. God waits to bear
Our pain and fear.
He waits, though he
Is always near.

4. He waits to help
With every task —
And all we need to do
Is ask.

5. God waits to bind
Our wounds, and heal.
He waits to share
In how we feel.

6. He waits, though we
Are only dust —
And all we need to do
is trust.

💙

The Lord longs to be gracious to you
(Isaiah 30:18; NIV).

References

1. You are a God of forgiveness (Nehemiah 9:17; NLT).

2. Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

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

3. He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4; NKJV).

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4; NIV).

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

Tell God what you need (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

5. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3; NIV).

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

6. He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 103:14; NLT).

Trust in God and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).

Dread

Ruth Kirk


Image: Italy Melo, Pexels

When they came to the place called The Skull,
they nailed him to the cross,
[and] Jesus said,“Father, forgive them,
for they don’t know what they are doing”
(Luke 23,33-4. NLT).

1. My anxious brooding
Generates this dread, Lord:
My mind goes through what happened
Without pause –

2. My friend, the one I trusted,
Turned against me,
Attacking me, and wounding,
Without cause.

3. Every time I think of him
Please prompt me
To pray: “Lord, bless my enemy
With good”,

4. Then leave him in your hand
For my protection,
Whilst you, Lord, heal us both,
With your great love.

References

1. The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me (Job 30,27. NIV).

2. My close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me (Psalm 41,9. NIV).

They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause (Psalm 109,3. RSV).

3. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6.28, NLT).

Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (Matthew 5,44. NLT).

4. In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind (Job 12,10. NIV).

My God is my rock, in whom I find protection (2 Samuel 22,3. NLT).

By his wounds you are healed (1 Peter 2,24. NLT).

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15,13. NLT).

When someone hurts me

Ruth Kirk

When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross [and] Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-4; NLT).

1. Lord,
When someone hurts me,
Please help me to forgive,
To love, and bless, and pray for them,
However long they live.

2. Lord,
When someone harms me,
Please help me to be glad,
Thanking you for what they did,
For you bring good from bad.

3. Lord,
When someone wounds me,
Please help me to hold on,
For you bring hope from everything,
Although my hope is gone.

4. Lord,
When someone grieves me,
Please help me to rejoice;
Then peace will be my watchword,
And your way of love, my choice.

To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (Ephesians 3:20-21; NIV).

References

1. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you (Matthew 6:14; NLT).

Love your enemies! (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:27; NLT).

2. I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, prosecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10; NLT).

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

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6; NIV).

Be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NLT).

In all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28; NIV).

3. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise (Hebrews 10:23; NLT).

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11; NLT).

The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone (Acts 27:20; NLT).

4. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us to develop endurance (Romans 5:3; NLT).

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15; NLT).

Follow the way of love (1 Corinthians 14:1; NIV).

At least (#2 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk
Image: Andrew Martin, Pixabay

He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out the flickering candle
(Matthew 12:20; NLT).

Lord,

1. May I listen carefully
To those whose paths cross mine,
At least, not hurting them, because
They are your holy shrine.

2. May I speak the truth in love
To those along my way,
At least, not wounding them, because
You care for them each day.

3. And may I ask your blessing, Lord,
For those whose lives I touch,
At least, not crushing them, because
You love them all so much.

References

1. The wise listen to others (Proverbs 12:15; NLT).

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain (Isaiah 11:9; NKJV).

Do you not know that you are God’s temple? (1 Corinthians 3:16; RSV).

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

The Lord cares deeply (Psalm 116:15: NLT).

3. Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:27-8; NLT).

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).

Consequences (#1 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk
Image: Free-Photos, Pixabay

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

1. Consequences flow from all I do, say,
Think, and feel.

2. Every act can wound, or soothe,
Can devastate, or heal.

3. Every word can hurt, or comfort,
Shatter, or restore.

4. Every thought can urge me
To despise, or love still more.

5. Every feeling tells me
To break contact, or renew.

6. Lord, please help me day by day
To grow much more like you.

References

1. They must bear the consequences of their sins, declares the Sovereign Lord (Ezekiel 44:12; NIV).

2. You did not reflect on your actions or think about their consequences (Isaiah 47:7; NLT).

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

3. What you say flows from what is in your heart (Luke 6:45; NLT).

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

4. Out of the heart come evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person (Matthew 15:19-20; NIV).

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged (Luke 6:37; NLT).

Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NIV).

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

5. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart (Luke 6:45; NLT).

6. O Lord, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day (Psalm 88:13; 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).

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).

Plague

Ruth Kirk

The Lord’s anger is blazing against them – the plague has already begun
(Numbers 16:46; NLT).

1. Lord,
From this plague,
What lessons can we learn?
That when we shun the poor,
In time, all starve?
And when we heat the world,
In time, all burn?

2. Lord,
From this plague,
What warnings should we glean?
That when we spoil the seas,
In time, all weep?
And when we foul the sky,
In time, all keen?

3. Lord,
From this plague,
What cautions must we heed?
That when we fail the sick,
In time, all mourn?
And when we wound our foes,
In time, all bleed?

References

In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry wasteland. So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it (Psalm 106:14-15- NLT).

They will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” And he will answer, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to hep me” (Matthew 25:44-5; NLT).

You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (Revelation 3:17; NIV).

Enlightenment

Ruth Kirk


The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world
(John 1:9; HNV).

1. Each human life brings trials
And suffering.
God gives, and takes away;
He wounds, and heals.

2. He helps us learn
From all we undergo,
Until, at last,
Enlightenment reveals

3. His purpose: change and growth
For every soul;
For as we learn to love,
We are made whole.

References

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

The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; NLT).

I am the one who wounds and heals (Deuteronomy 32:39; NLT).

2. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28; NIV).

Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding (Hebrews 6:1; NLT).

The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness (Psalm 18:28; NKJV).

Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts (Psalm 90:12; CSB).

The inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding (Job 32:8; WEB).

3. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him (Acts 17:27; NLT).

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

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

I am the Lord who heals you (Exodus 15:26; NLT).

He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).

Healing

Ruth Kirk

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love
and tender mercies (Psalm 103:2-4; NLT).

1. Thank you, Father,
For your love:
The wounds you wash,
The way you care.

2. Thank you, Father,
For your peace:
The minds you mend,
The joy you share.

3. Thank you, Father,
For your truth:
The hearts you heal,
The Son you gave.

4. Thank you, Father,
For your fire:
The bonds you break,
The souls you save.

References

1. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

Wash me clean from my guilt (Psalm 51:2; NLT).

He […] binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3; NIV).

He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7; NLT).

2. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind (Mark 5:15; NIV).

God [is] the source of all my joy (Psalm 43:4; NLT).

3. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

He heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3; NIV).

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).

4. God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).

I will break the yoke off their necks, and will tear off their bonds (Jeremiah 30:8; NIV).

Lord, you are the God who saves me (Psalm 88:1; NIV).

You help me pray

Ruth Kirk

When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you,
and pray to your Father in private (Matthew 6:6; NLT).

1. I pray, whilst watching Mary tend
The Christ-child, born in Bethlehem.

2. I follow, and you set me free,
The Son of Man, in Galilee.

3. I cheer you, rod of Jesse’s stem:
Hosanna, in Jerusalem.

4. I go with you, and hear your plea
Lord Jesus, at Gethsemane.

5. I gaze on you, nailed to a tree:
The Son of God, at Calvary.

6. I mourn; I lost you far too soon:
Your body lies within the tomb.

7. I eat with you, and you with me:
The Risen Christ, beside the sea.

8. Then, Lord, you let me touch each wound,
And help me pray, within my room.

References

1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea (Matthew 2:1; NLT).

2. Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News (Mark 1:14; NLT).

3. The crowds that went before and that followed him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” […] And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:9-10; RSV).

4. Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane […] and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me” (Matthew 26:36,39; NLT).

5. When they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified him (Luke 23:33; NKJV).

6. Joseph […] took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb (Mark 15:46; NLT).

7. Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee […] They found breakfast waiting for them – fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread […] Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish (John 21:1,9,13; NLT).

8. After eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut […] Then he said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into my side” (John 20:26-7; NKJV).