Remind me each morning of your constant love, for I put my trust in You. My prayers go up to You; show me the way I should go.

Ps 143:8 GNT

In the sparkle and the glitter
In the tinsel and the clutter
Jesus is here

In the calm in the panic
In the busy and the quiet
Jesus is here

In the streets and the shops
In the valleys and mountain tops
Jesus is here

In the workplace and in homes
In hospitals and schools
Jesus is here

In the darkness of the night
And in the brightness of the day
Jesus is here

In my heart and in my mind
In my life and at my side
Jesus is here

Jesus, You are always with us, your love is all around us.  At this time of year when stress may build up and life can be challenging in so many different ways, we take a step back, to collect our thoughts and to  ground ourselves in your unfailing love…..

Gracious God, we thank You for your grace in Jesus and the leading of your Holy Spirit.
We come to you with open hearts and hands to receive your wonderful and timeless gifts of love and grace. Open our eyes to the needs of those around us and lead us in ways of love, kindness and compassion that all may know “Jesus is here.” Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said “I have come into the world as a light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness.”

John 12:46 GNT

Held on our hearts
Hidden away
Thoughts or fears
that hold us back
Or lead us away

Light of the world
Shine in our hearts
Lighten our lives
With the truth of your word

Jesus our Saviour
Our sure and true friend
Sweeten our thoughts
With your love without end

Loving, gracious God, Your light breaks through the darkness in our world and shines on all people and in all places.  We thank you for your transforming and faithful light and love in Jesus, who calls us his friends. *

As we step out today, we remember your words “..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..” *   Loving God, may we know the assurance of your presence with us and may we walk in the light of your guiding hand.

Ruth Rushworth

* John 15:15
* Isaiah 42:10 NIV

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You.

Ps 86:5 NIV

Autumn leaves fall,
They tumble to the ground,
Laying a rich carpet,
Of red, gold and brown.

Paths need clearing,
Its slippy underfoot,
The pavement can be treacherous,
Disguising potholes and roots.

It’s an ongoing task,
To keep the walkway clear,
To enable a safe, sure passage,
That all may proceed with good cheer.

Gracious God, in the season of Autumn, it seems that no sooner have we cleared pathways and drives of leaves, than the wind gusts and we have to start afresh and sweep up all over again.

Loving God, in a similar way, our lives can become cluttered and littered with things we have done or said that we know are wrong or we regret; they play on our mind and sit uncomfortably on our heart and steal our peace and joy.

We thank You dear Lord, that we can turn to You every day and tell you about anything we are sorry for, knowing in advance, that in Jesus, we have the promise and assurance of complete and total forgiveness.

Gracious God, we thank You for the wonderful gift of forgiveness.  Help us to be quick to forgive others and ourselves as You forgive us in Jesus.  As we seek and receive forgiveness, may we be filled with the refreshment and peace of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

For God loved the world so much that He gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not die but have eternal life.
John 3:16 GNT
Jesus our King,
Now enthroned on High,
Yet He came down to earth,
He gave his life without a cry,
Not a word of protest left his lips,
Just a plea to his father,
Does it have to be like this? 
Yet his love for the world
Is sure and strong,
He gave his life,
for all that is wrong,
That everyone may be forgiven,
That everyone may belong,
To the kingdom of God,
And Heaven’s joyful throng.
Jesus, our King,
We praise your name,
Transformed by your love,
We are no longer the same,
Renewed, enriched,
forgiven, restored,
Jesus! our Saviour!
our King! and our Lord!
Almighty, gracious God, we reflect on your saving love in this week before Advent, when we will start to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus, born in a stable in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.

We  thank you that Jesus left the beauty and perfection of heaven and your presence, to come to this earth, to live among us, to bring his saving, healing power, his peace and the kingdom of God to our world. 
We thank you for his wonderful sacrificial act of love. We thank you that one day, Jesus will come again and establish His reign of love, justice and peace.
Gracious God, may the light of your love shine in our lives; may we see fresh ways of sharing your love and our faith in You in this world.  We ask this in the name of Jesus.  Amen
Ruth Rushworth

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’

Ps 91: 1-2 NIV

We rest in your shelter,
We sit at your feet,
Protected by your shadow,
Made complete.

Secure in the presence,
Of your faithful love,
Bound by your peace,
By your sweet grace above.

Our refuge and fortress,
Our shield and strength,
An ever present help,
Our daily defence

In every battle we fight,
in every challenge we face,
you are there alongside us,
God of mercy and grace.

Gracious God, We take time to relax our bodies, quieten our minds and to sit with you, in the shelter of your presence.  We reflect on your words of assurance, protection and love in this psalm….

God of mercy and grace, you meet us in our need in the saving love of Jesus.  Help us to place our trust in You.  We pray for anyone facing difficulties of any kind, that your love would cast out fear. We pray for the assurance and shelter of your presence, the guiding hand and strength of your Spirit and the peace of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen

Based on thoughts around Psalm 91

Ruth Rushworth

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You…. May your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Ps 143: 8 & 11 NIV

Moments of quiet,
Moments of still,
Time to praise God,
To seek his will.

I come to him,
As the day begins,
To seek his help,
In all that it brings.

To receive his energy,
His enabling grace,
To love and to serve him,
Wherever I am placed.

Gracious God, we praise You for this new day, whatever it may hold. Thank You that we can walk through this day with Jesus, guided by your Holy Spirit. We take a moment to lay out day before You and ask You to speak into our hearts…

Thank You that you can work through us in the small and seemingly unimportant details in our day; may we be kind and encouraging to others and sensitive to the leading of your Spirit. We pray for others and ourselves; for your inspiration in any opportunities, your strength through any difficulties, your comfort in any sadness and your peace in any anxieties.

Thank you that however our day progresses, your love for us is steadfast, sure and unchanging. Gracious God, we praise You, in Jesus’ name.

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said, “come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.”

Matt 11:28 NLT

“Lord, make me a channel of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving, that we receive;
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying, that we are born to eternal life.”

Peace Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Gracious God, You have placed us in this world, in this time and place.  May we see and understand the needs of those around us and respond with love and care.  May no-one be afraid or reluctant to ask for help.  We pray for all who are troubled in any way, that they may know your comfort and the blessing of your peace. We bring the prayers of our heart to You, loving God, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

(Jesus said) ” I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

A beacon of light shines through the night,
Casts out fear, worry and doubt.

A beacon of light shows the way,
Marks the path, to keep danger at bay.

A beacon of light, a tower of strength,
Supports and sustains from this day hence.

A beacon of light highlights truth,
All that is good, right and beyond reproof.

A beacon of light fanned by the breeze,
Spreads love, forgiveness, joy and peace.

A beacon of light, an eternal flame,
Points to the Saviour of the world,
Jesus, is his name.

Loving God, we praise you for Jesus, the light of your love in our world. Thank you that his light gives wisdom and understanding, strength and peace, love and forgiveness. In the quietness of this moment, we reflect on and thank you for the many blessings of your love……

Loving God, may we keep our sights focused on Jesus.  May your Holy Spirit fan the flame of eternal love in our hearts and draw us close to You.  And may the light of Jesus shine brightly in our lives, that others may be attracted to your saving love and grace. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts 

Col 3:15 NIV

We Remember

We remember the many,
We remember the few,
Each one that gave,
Their memory will not fade.

We remember, we reflect,
On each precious life,
Loved and cherished,
Bravely sacrificed in strife.

A life given.
A life lost.
A life surrendered,
At tremendous cost.

Laid in cemeteries,
And graves unknown,
Now resting at peace,
In an eternal home.

As the sun rises,
clear and bright,
As the sun sets.
In the pale evening light,

We will remember.
We will keep in sight,
All that was loved and lost,
In a worldwide fight.

We remember the many,
We remember the few,
Each one that gave,
Their memory will not fade.

God of peace, we thank you for all who have given their lives in war and conflict, may they know your eternal rest ….

God of compassion, we pray for all who are grieving or are suffering in any way, may they know your comfort and healing ….

God of love and light, we pray that the light of your love would dispel fear and darkness. We pray for your inspiration and strength for all those working for peace and to relieve suffering ….
God of grace, we pray for peace in our world, in our communities and in our families.  We come to You in prayer with all that is on our hearts and minds ….

Gracious and merciful God, keep us in your peace, the peace that passes understanding. We offer all our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen

Ruth Rushworth
November 2023

Image: Rachael Towersey – used with permission

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. May the eyes of your heart be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which he has called you.

Eph 1: 17-18

Almighty, gracious God, You are all-seeing, all-knowing, and ever understanding. You are a God of love, justice, truth and righteousness.  However things may seem from our perspective, your heavenly Kingdom cannot and will not be shaken. Thank You that You always look on us with all the love, tenderness and compassion of Jesus.

Gracious God, as we spend time with You and reflect, open the eyes of our heart that we may love, trust and hope in Jesus more deeply and completely.

May your Holy Spirit bless us with wisdom, understanding and sensitivity, so that we may view life from your perspective and with your clarity, as we place our trust in Jesus and share his love in our world.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth