Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

John 14:27 NIV

If the world points it’s finger,
God opens his arms.
If the world rejects and discards,
God says I will keep you from harm.

If the world fears and is anxious,
God says I will keep you calm.
If the world suffers and is sorrowful,
God says I am your balm.

Loving God, You are with us in our world, in the midst of all it’s beauty and joy and in all it’s sadness, injustice and suffering. We are all loved by You and are precious to You. Thank you that you are with us and that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus.*

We thank you for and pray for organisations and all who work to care for and support good mental and physical health, and towards peace and a just world.

We thank you for the many ways we can share your love. Thank you that a smile, a listening ear, a prayer and simple acts of care and kindness can mean so much.

Loving God, we pray for acceptance wholeness and peace in our world, in Jesus’ name. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son …listen to Him.”
Luke 9:35 NIV

Jesus removed the barrier,
Threw opened the door,
Heaven and earth,
Are separate no more.

He flooded the world,
With love and light,
The colours of heaven,
Shining bright.

A love of justice,
Of peace of truth,
Acceptance, forgiveness,
Under one roof.

United in Jesus,
Lord, may we share,
His love, his life,
His light and his care.

God of love and light, of mountains and valleys, of sunshine, clouds and rain, we praise You for Jesus, your Son. Thank you that He came to restore our broken relationship with You, and to unite us with You under the roof of your eternal love.

Loving God, as we reflect, we thank you that knowing Jesus makes a difference in our every day lives.  May we embrace his light and love and rest secure in him.

As we prepare for Easter, may your Spirit help us to hear his voice and share his love in our families, neighbourhoods and communities, that all may be united and cared for in your loving family.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

I keep my eyes always on the Lord, with him at my right hand I will not be shaken 

Ps 16:8 NIV

Come to me
I am here
I know your needs
Do not fear

I will draw
Close to you
Hold you up
And see you through

Times of trouble
Times of strife
Times of sadness
And difficulties in life

Trust in me
I understand
I lead with love
As I take your hand

Find peace In my nearness
Help in my strength
Comfort in my arms
Hope in my defence

God of love, as we rest in your presence, we bring to mind your words of assurance and promises in the Bible…

So do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
(Is 41:10 NIV)

Gracious God, You know and understand suffering and all our difficulties, concerns and anxieties. Help us to place them in your eternal hands, for your love is faithful and trustworthy.

Loving God, draw us near to your loving presence by your Spirit.  May we pray, bless, support and care for each other with the love You have given us in Jesus. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am. 
Ps 118:28 CEV

Gracious God, as we reflect with You, we praise You and thank you for Jesus, our Good Shepherd:
* the shepherd who searches for every one lost sheep;
* the shepherd who says my sheep know me, they hear my voice and follow me;
* the shepherd who gave his life for us only to take it up again after 3 days;
* the shepherd who has prepared a place for each of us in our eternal heavenly home.

Loving God, we thank you for Jesus our good shepherd, who knows each of us by name and freely gave his life for us. Help us to listen out for and follow his guiding, assuring voice.  May we reflect Jesus in the way we care for and treat others, so that all may know his gracious love. We pray in his loving name.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said … “Come, let’s take a break and find a secluded place where you can rest a while.”

Mark 6:31 TPT

Loving God, we come to a quiet place to sit with You. As we rest with You and reflect on Psalm 23, may you guide our own thoughts and prayers….

The Lord is my shepherd…
Lord, you are our protector, watching over us and caring for us. You know our needs before we even ask ……

He leads me to quiet, restful places …. He restores….
Loving God, you know our need for rest and for quiet time with You.  Your presence equips us for life’s journey and brings, replenishment, peace and healing to our souls.

He guides me along the right paths ….
Gracious God, you lead us in ways that are right. We keep our gaze fixed on You.

He walks alongside me….
Lord, You are an ever present help in every situation. Keep us close to You. We need not fear for You are always with us.

His rod and staff comfort me…
Mighty God, your strength and compassion direct, comfort and sustain us.

You have prepared a banquet for me….
Loving God, You rejoice in us.  You are a God of provision, we praise You and rejoice in You.

You anoint me, my cup overflows….
We are precious to you. Thank you for all your heavenly blessings on us through Jesus.

Your goodness and mercy will follow me….
Lord, your goodness, kindness, love and mercy pursues us all of our days.  You never turn your back on us.

I will dwell with You now and forever….
Gracious God, we are welcomed into your family through Jesus. You love and accept us just as we are.  You are with us, your house is our home, now and forever. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said “I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love.”

John 15:9 NLT

Loving God, as we move into Lent, we reflect that throughout his life, Jesus withdrew to solitary and quiet places to spend time with You.  In your loving presence, Jesus gained his strength, his spiritual food, his direction, his wisdom and understanding of his unique role as Saviour of the world.

Gracious God, we reflect on how, where and  when we spend time with You. Thank You that your Holy Spirit reveals your love and informs and guides us in the ways you have planned and prepared for us.  Help us to follow Jesus more closely and hold his love, presence and peace in our hearts. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Ps 119:105 NIV

Holy Spirit,
Living flame,
Burning brightly,
Never to wane.

Warming hearts,
with heavenly love,
Lighting paths,
with guiding truth.

Teaching, leading,
In ways good and right,
Inspiring and increasing,
faith, hope and sight.

Loving God, thank you for stories. Stories in the Bible that tell us of your power, your presence, your goodness, your kindness and your faithful love.  Stories that point to and tell us of Jesus and how he transformed the lives of those who met with him and followed him. Stories that light up and bring meaning to our lives.

Gracious God, may your Spirit light up our lives with your love.  May your Spirit help us to meet with Jesus and know him and his life-changing words and presence.  Help us to share our stories of how You have helped and encouraged us in the past. May your Spirit help us to follow, love and trust in Jesus today and always.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said “..the helper, the Holy Spirit, …. will teach you all things and will remind you of all I said to you.”

John 14.26 NHEB

Breath of life
Breath of fire
Breath of peace
My heart’s desire

Open my heart
To your tender love
Open my mind
To your word of truth

Help me to hear
To trust and obey
To follow Jesus
In every way

Gracious God, we praise you and thank you for your wonderful love. In this moment we still our bodies, hearts and minds and breathe in the peace of your presence …

Come Holy Spirit, may your warmth soften our hearts, may your light transform our darkness,
may your strength enable us to stand tall and withstand difficulties, may your arms reach out to us that we may find comfort, shelter and protection in your love in Jesus.

Come Holy Spirit, guide us in the love, the ways and truths of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

“..I am making everything new..”

Rev 21:5 NIV

Tiny snowdrops in the ground,
Peeping through a frozen mound,
Pushing upwards, without a sound.

Growing towards the sun and light,
Standing straight, strong and bright,
Resplendent in colour, gleaming white.

Bringing a smile,
A promise of hope,
New life, a new season,
Fresh and fragrant growth.

God of the seasons and new beginnings, we praise You for the beauty and order of creation, and the joy of seeing these simple, tiny flowers appear in gardens, parks and hedgerows. Thank you for this sign of new life and the reminder, that, although we cannot see it yet, we know that spring is surely on the way.

God of life and love, thank you for all who work quietly, unnoticed, behind the scenes, pushing onwards and upwards to share your love.  Thank you that the smallest acts of kindness and the most simple of prayers are noticed by You and make a difference to the growth of garden of your kingdom here on earth.

God of grace and compassion, grant us new beginnings and new seasons in our lives  when we need them. We thank you that every day is a fresh start and we can turn to Jesus, our saviour and friend, in all things. Help us, dear Lord, to follow the leading of your Holy Spirit in our everyday lives.  Amen

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and He helps me.  My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise him.
Ps 28:7 NIV

He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield….
Ps 91:4 NIV

Gracious God, we reflect on this picture of a robin, perched on a pole, on a snowy day, it’s feathers ruffled as a protection against the winter cold.  We thank you for this reminder in nature of your faithful love, care and protection for each and every one of us, and for all your creation.

Loving God, today and every day, in all circumstances and whatever challenges, worries or concerns we face, help us look to You and to trust in Jesus, our strength and our shield.  We pray too that all may know the warmth of your love, the sufficiency of your provision and the security of your presence with us by your Spirit.  We bring our prayers to You for any person or situation You have placed on our hearts, in Jesus’ name….  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth