IN GOD'S PRESENCE - MASK OFF - JUST ME.......
and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28).
He didn’t say, “Come to me and I will exhaust you,
burden you with guilt, add to your stress, and give you more worries.”
What is wearing you out at the moment?
What is burdening you?
Where in your life do you need refreshment?
BEGINNING WITH GOD
I arise today, Through God's strength to pilot me:
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I arise today, Through God's strength to pilot me.
Saint Patrick
As we face the day, and what it might bring -
the expectations others place upon us; the uncertainty of outcomes; the possibility of opposition and disagreement;
the isolation we experience when our views are not shared by others;
remind us, Jesus, that you faced all this and more.
May we rise above and beyond these troubles with you,
and know peace.
A time for silent reflection
Sometimes words are not enough to express the language of our hearts. Sometimes minds are filled with prayers without expression.
Sometimes there are not enough spare moments in each day, sometimes regret is all we have
as our confession.
Sometimes faith is not enough, but in the presence of your peace, sometimes prayer can be a quiet conversation.
Sometimes words are not enough to express the anguish on our hearts, sometimes prayers are answered that remain unspoken.
Remove the guilt that inhibits life and action.
Set us free, Lord, to be human,
free us to live in that abundant way
which is your hope for each of us. Amen.
THE WORD
Isaiah 43:1-2 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” (NIV)
Silence
Romans 5:3-5 " … we also glory in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not put us to shame,
because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (NIV)
Silence
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Silence
John 10:10 “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Silence
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble,
but take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)
HOPE IN CHRIST
In our anxiety, fear and uncertainty, when hearts are heavy with the load we bear, and there is no one to turn toward but you; yours is the peace that calms, the peace that comforts, the peace that gives us strength to carry on.
Yours is the voice we long to hear, the persistent whisper in our ear, ‘Be still, and know that I am God’. Yours is the presence in the dark that banishes our fears.
Yours is the hand that guides, the footprints in which I walk. In our anxiety, fear and uncertainty, in confidence we turn to you.
Copyright © John Birch, 2016
