Seeking God's face together

31.5.23: Forgiveness

May 31, 2023Ruth Kirk

The Prodigal Son, after Sir John Everett Millais. Engraved and printed by Dalziel Brothers in 1864.

Just as I was about to go down for breakfast two days ago, the first lines of today’s prayer struck me. I wrote them down on my iPad, then set off again, only for the next few lines to arrive before I had reached my bedroom door. This happened several times, until the whole piece was roughed out. It was an awesome experience.

Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? (Matthew 9:5; NLT).

Forgiveness
Is the same as healing,

Mercy
Is the same as love,

And weakness
Is the same as strength,

When we have faith
In Christ above.

Cling to your faith in Christ (1 Timothy 1:19; NLT).

A person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16; NLT).

References

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love (Psalm 51:1; NLT).

When I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10; NLT)).

God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead (Romans 4:24; NLT).

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory (1 Peter 1:21; 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).

30.5.23: In your presence

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023Ruth Kirk

The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, by Charles Nicolas Cochin II.

Today’s prayer came to me yesterday, as I prayed in silence:

He breathed on them, and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22; NLT).

Breathe on us; call to us;
Draw us towards you, Lord:
Show us your presence,
And teach us your way.

Help us to walk with you,
Praying and praising:
Safe in your presence,
By night and by day.

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

References

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 22:4; NIV).

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise (James 5:13; NIV).

You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love (Psalm 31:20-21; NLT).

29.5.23: We praise you

May 29, 2023Ruth Kirk

The Healing of the Blind Man and the Raising of Lazarus Date: first half 12th century (possibly 1129–34), metmuseum.com.

This prayer arrived when I was praying without words very sleepily last Saturday morning. Having just learned how to make videos here after 10 years of using WordPress every day, here is a recording of it, in case that’s better for you than print: IMG_3546

We praise you, Lord (Psalm 21:13; GNT).

We praise you, Lord,
And worship you;
We learn from you,
And follow you;
Believe in you,
And long for you:
Our Teacher.

We love you, Lord,
And serve with you;
We trust in you,
Rejoice in you;
Depend on you,
And pray to you:
Our Master.

We grieve with you,
And yield with you;
Accept with you,
Endure with you;
We suffer and unite
With you,
Our Saviour.

He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:6; NLT).

References

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).

Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! (Luke 17:13; NLT).

Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:11; NLT).

Something extra

Here is a link to a gallery of photos which tell the story of a beautiful, short walk we enjoyed last Saturday. I apologise for having messed up my sharing of this yesterday, and hope it will work properly. I can’t claim to be a mistress of technology! Just click on the live link if you would like to view it: https://wp.me/P45bCr-eaC.

28.5.23: Take a step

May 28, 2023Ruth Kirk

Christ Pantocrator, a photo of an icon on my bedroom wall, author unknown.

Just as I reached the end of my few spoken prayers yesterday morning, today’s verses began to flow into my mind. I had to postpone falling silent, so I could write them down.

Their rhythm might sound a bit odd if you read them as a poem, but they fit the tune of my favourite childhood Sunday School chorus, “Turn your eyes towards Jesus”. I tried to include a YouTube link to it, but failed.

The original moving, meditative song was written by Helen Lemmel, in 1918. Her words are available on Google, but I don’t want to risk breaching copyright by quoting them here.

Instead, here is a recording of me singing today’s prayer to her tune. Please forgive my weak voice and shortness of breath:

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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).

Take a step towards Jesus,
Turn to his Father, repent,
Then relinquish selfishness,
Take your cross,
And follow the Saviour
God sent.

Christ forgives every trespass,
Taking away all your sin,
Then He sets you free
For abundant life,
As you grow every day
More like Him.

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).

References

Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; NLT).

God so loved the world, that he even gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world should be saved by him (John 3:16-17; LB).

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NIV).

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).

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13; NLT).

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

27.5.23: A little is enough

May 27, 2023May 27, 2023Ruth Kirk

Eucharistic Hosts, davideucaristia, Pixabay.

Over the past year, as my health has deteriorated and I’ve become less active, I’ve gained two stones in weight. Whilst saying grace over extra food, I’ve been acknowledging to God that I’m eating for comfort. It was clear that I couldn’t go on like this indefinitely, and I knew the right time would eventually come to cut back. Meanwhile, I couldn’t even face getting weighed.

This situation started to change a couple of weeks ago, when I had to weigh myself so that staff at the anticoagulation clinic could calculate the dose for a drug-change. Since then I’ve lost half a stone, then plateaued, despite careful eating: weight loss is a big challenge at 70, in poor health, and with a very slow metabolism and no thyroid!

Meanwhile, today’s prayer came as a complete surprise – I think it’s the first time I’ve ever written about eating:

Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11; RSV).

A little is enough, Lord,
For you give me what I need,
So when I help myself to more,
I’m giving way to greed.

A little is enough, Lord,
For you give the right amount,
So when I help myself to more,
Please hold me to account.

A little is enough, Lord,
So please help me to say, “No”,
Then turn to you, the Bread of Life,
And tell you all my woe,

For food, alone, can’t comfort me,
So, when my way is rough,
Please help me, Lord, to come to you:
Your comfort is enough.

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:13; NLT).

References

Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough (Exodus 16:17-18; NLT).

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again” (John 6:35; NLT).

I will comfort those who mourn (Isaiah 57:18; NLT).

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1; 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).

People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4; NLT).

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

26.5.22: Your will

May 26, 2023Ruth Kirk

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).

25.5.23: Wordless prayer

May 25, 2023May 25, 2023Ruth Kirk

Triptych with the Way to Calvary, the Crucifixion, and the Disrobing of Jesus, Netherlandish or French, ca. 1400–1420, at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 306.

Today’s prayer arrived yesterday morning, but it was such a busy and eventful day that I didn’t start working on it until late last night. I finished it this morning, just a few moments before posting it!

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

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

Ask, without questions;
Seek, without fear;
Knock, without striking:
Jesus is near.

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

Join him, forever;
Ages, transcend;
Jesus within us:
One without end.

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

References

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened (Luke 11:9-10; NLT).

Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10; NLT).

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. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26; RSV).

There is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

24.5.23: Shame

May 24, 2023Ruth Kirk

Plaque with Doubting Thomas, German ca. 1140–60.

Today’s prayer came to me most unexpectedly yesterday, whilst I was saying grace before breakfast.

Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23; NLT).

We all have sins that shame us,
Behaviour we regret;
We all have faults and failures,
But Jesus loves us yet.

We know our inner darkness,
The things we can’t put right,
The evils on our conscience,
But Jesus is our light.

We all have guilty secrets,
We haven’t done God’s will;
We’ve judged and wounded others,
But Jesus loves us still.

We know that we are nothing,
Just grains of sand, or dust,
But through Christ comes forgiveness,
So in His name we trust.

Through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins (Acts 13:38; NLT).

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12; NLT).

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

References

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark (John 12:46; NLT).

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “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).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

I am nothing but dust (Genesis 18:27; NIV).

There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent (Luke 24:47; NLT).

A reading: Romans 3:22-25; NLT.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

22.5.23: This narrow path (for B.)

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023Ruth Kirk

This prayer came to me early last Thursday morning for the lovely friend to whom it is dedicated.

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).

May this narrow path of sickness
Bring some good to those I meet.
As you help me bear my anguish,
May they trust, and start to pray.

May this narrow path of sorrow
Bring some good to those I greet.
As you help me face my passion,
May they follow you each day.

May this narrow path of hardship
Bring some good to those I join.
As you help me sense your presence,
May they come to share your way.

I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News (Philippians 1:12; NLT).

References

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:14; NIV).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22; NLT).