He gives me new strength.  He guides me in the right paths as he has promised.
Ps 23:3 GNT

When the path seems faint
Stay close to the light.
A glimmer of hope
Puts fear to flight.
The Lord of all
Knows the way,
Guides us gently,
Day by day.

The Saviour of the world,
Jesus, is here,
His love conquers
All that we fear.
His grace forgives
Our every wrong,
His strength empowers
And leads us on.

Gracious God,
Help us to trust
In your loving kindness
And faithfulness.
You are in control,
You never change,
Our Saviour Jesus
Lives to reign.

Gracious God, we praise you. We thank you that you are faithful and true in all of your promises and all of your ways. When fear creeps in and things seem uncertain help us to lift our eyes away from circumstances and turn to Jesus, our helper, our hope and our strength.

Thank you gracious God that you hear and answer our prayers. Strengthen our hearts and our faith that we may place our complete trust in your goodness and love. When we travel on difficult paths, may we trust that you direct our steps, may we know your presence with us and your peace that passes understanding. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

I ponder all you’ve done, Lord..
It’s here in your presence, …
where I learn more of your ways.
For holiness is revealed in everything you do.

Ps 77:12 TPT

Gracious God, we come to you today. We praise you and thank you that you are here with us. Help us to calm and still any restlessness in our body, any rushing thoughts or anxiety in our mind.  Help us to resist any desire to “get on” and to give this time over to you and talk with you……

Loving God, we praise you for Jesus and your love and presence in our lives. We offer this day to you, whether it’s busy, with every minute accounted for, or quiet. We ask you to guide us through it, to show us when to speak, when to be silent; to lead us to people, places and situations where you would have us go. May we be your eyes and ears, your hands and feet, your strength, your comfort and your blessing.

Gracious God, through the inspiration of Jesus and the guidance of your Holy Spirit, we invite you to accompany us on our journey through life today.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Romans 8:39 CEV

King of creation,
Glorious Lord,
Came to this earth,
As prophets foretold,

He came to us
humble and weak,
With a message of hope,
To all he should meet.

He came to forgive,
To heal and restore,
To speak of heaven,
And a future assured.

He told us of
a perfect place,
Secured for us,
Through mercy and grace.

He said the way
Is to follow him,
The way of life,
In exchange for sin.

But they beat him up,
And raised him high,
Rejected and outcast,
Left, on a cross to die.

Jesus gave his life, on Calvary.
Took our sins in his body,
Nailed to a tree.
An act of love,
for all eternity.

We know that death
Was not the end,
God raised him to life,
Jesus, our Saviour and friend.

Jesus now reigns
In heaven above,
At God’s right hand,
Interceding for us.

We praise you, Jesus,
Christ our King,
With our life and love,
Our everything.

Gracious God, as we approach advent next week, when preparations for Christmas begin, we take a moment to reflect on the timeless love of Jesus and to praise and worship you.

May we know and share the eternal hope that we have in Jesus, Christ the King, the Way, the Truth and the Life, that all may come to worship Him this season. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

“.. I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Jer 31:3 NIV

Love, but love
Is your nature,
Your face,
Abounding in mercy,
Resplendent in grace,
All mighty,
Ever present,
Holy and just,
Jesus, our Saviour,
In your name we trust.

Loving God, we praise you for who you are and take a moment to reflect on what it really means to be unconditionally loved and accepted by you….

Loving God we thank you for your love and blessings throughout our lives.  May we open our hearts more fully to you in response to your love for us.  May we know Jesus our Saviour as our closest friend, our greatest ally, our wisest counsel, the One who will always cheer us on, never reject us, never let us go and the One who loves us more than life itself.  Loving God, we praise you for your wonderful love.

Ruth Rushworth

..it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.
Matt 13:32 NRSV

Loving God, we take a moment to still our bodies, quieten our minds and relax before you….  We praise you for the beauty of nature around us and we thank you that you sustain us throughout all the seasons of our lives…  As we reflect on the bible verse and picture, we ask that you might speak into our hearts today….

Connected; leaves, branches, trunk;

Roots burrowed deep into fertile soil;
Open to sunlight, wind and rain;
Displaying vivid, vibrant colours
Against a backdrop of clear blue sky,

For all the world to see.

Interrupting thoughts and dreams,
Drawing attention, calling to all
To gaze in wonder and delight 
At its beauty and mighty strength;
Standing tall and strong amidst the people,
Providing shade and shelter.

A place to sit and reflect.
A place of peace and quiet.
A place of laughter and fun.
A place to eat and drink.
A place welcoming all.

Loving God may we sink our roots deep into the well of your gracious love for us; may we display the fullness, the grace and love of Jesus in our relationships. 
By the power of your Holy Spirit, may we be united in a love and service that attracts others to Jesus to come, find shelter, shade and new life in the kingdom of God.

Ruth Rushworth

“But I will sing of your strength,
In the morning I will sing of your love;
For you are my fortress,
My refuge in times of trouble.
You are my strength;
I sing praise to you;
You, God, are my fortress,
My God on whom I can rely.”

Psalm 59 16-17 NIV

Gracious God, you are our God and we praise you.  We praise you for your words of truth in the Bible.  We praise you for your strong and steadfast love and care.  We praise you for your help and protection.  We praise you for your faithfulness and nearness.  We praise you, our God and our Saviour, for your love in Jesus.

Loving God, as we go through this day, remind us of your loving presence with us.  May we sing our praise to you with hearts of gratitude for your loving kindness to us, for Jesus and for all you have graciously given us. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5 NIV

Unfathomable love
Covers the skies.
All powerful love
Brightens our lives.
Ever present love
Holds us close.
Faithful love
In thee we trust.

Oh God of power,
Love and might,
Bless our lives
With heavenly light,
That we may spread
the eternal flame,
To the glory of Jesus,
Forever praise his name.

God of love, God of light, we praise you and reflect on your wonderful love for us…
As the nights draw in, we thank you that the brightness of your love cannot be dimmed, nor diminished.  Your love embraces, surrounds and sustains us. Nothing can separate us from you. We pray –
For anyone who experiences a low mood during the darker autumn and winter months…
For those who are worried about providing food, light, heating, warm clothes and a roof over their head…
For anyone with health concerns of any kind…
For those who do not feel accepted and welcome…
For all working and praying to alleviate suffering and improve the health and circumstances of others…
Merciful God, may we be aware of the needs of those around us and may the ever-present light of Jesus shine brightly in our lives. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

2 Thes 3:16 NIV

In the reflection of love,
The brightness of light,
The strength of the mountains,
Their towered might,
The calm of the sea,
And the fresh morning air,
Is the peace of God,
Beyond all compare.

In the reflection of love
Jesus shines.
His brightness fills
our hearts and minds.
His purity cleanses
Our innermost parts.
His gentleness heals
Our broken hearts.

In the reflection of love,
We live out our days.
Surrendered to God,
In all of our ways.
Blessed beyond measure,
By the Spirit above.
Steady and secure,
In Jesus love.

Gracious God,
Strong and true,
Bless our hearts,
With love for you.
May our lives,
Reflect your light,
Hold your peace,
In our clear sight.

Gracious God, in the quietness of the moment we lift our hearts to you. We ask you to bless this time with you, as we reflect, talk to you and listen to you…..

Loving God, may we follow the leading of your Holy Spirit today. May we reflect your love in all we think, say and do.  We pray for and ask you to bless anyone or any situation on our hearts.  We ask all this in the name of Jesus our Saviour. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth