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

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
My hope comes from him.
Truly, He is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I shall not be shaken.
Trust in him at all times;
Pour out your hearts to him,
For God is our refuge.

Ps 62: 5,6,8 NIVUK

Every day I am here,
Ready for you to draw near,
To share your joys and sorrows,
To offer a listening ear.

To guide you in the way forward,
To think and plan ahead,
To respond to the needs of the moment,
To lead you in the next step.

Gracious God, King of creation, Lord of all. The world and everything in it was made by You and belongs to You.  We praise you that you are a God of strength and power, of might and justice, of love, tenderness and forgiveness.

Gracious God, we draw our strength and direction from your limitless love and resources.  When life is shaken, and however things seem, we remember that You are our sure place of hope, security and salvation; our refuge and our peace. Help us dear Lord to keep our focus on Jesus and trust in his eternal love.  May your Spirit guide our prayers as we still our souls, reflect on your love and open our hearts before you…. 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

Each new day,
The darkness gives way
To dawn, and to light.
The light penetrates,
The light illuminates,
The light warms,
The softens hearts,
The light leads the way.

The light is life,
The light is love,
The light is healing,
The light is wisdom,
The light is justice,
The light is freedom,
The light is Jesus.

Loving God, we thank You for Jesus, the light of life.  As we spend time and reflect with You, draw us closer to your heart, to the light of your love in Jesus ….

Jesus said ” You are like a light for the whole world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”*

Gracious God, may the light of your love shine in our hearts that we may be a light and hope for others ….

May the light of your love open our eyes more fully to your living, loving presence in this world ….

May the light of your love reveal the needs of others and enable us to love, care and act with the grace of Jesus ….

May your Holy Spirit shine the light of your love in Jesus and transform hearts, lives, homes and communities ….

We prayerfully consider how we may be a light in someone’s life today ….

Loving God, may your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.**
Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

* Matt 5:14 GNT
** Matt 6:10:NIV

He leads me beside quiet waters…He restores my soul 

Ps 23:2 NIV

Strength for the weary
Power for the weak
Hope for the forlorn
Comfort for the sick

Calm for the worried
Love for the hurt
Peace for the fearful
Life for the world

Jesus, compassionate
Loving and kind
Bless our hearts
Renew our minds

Gracious God, thank You that You bring us to quiet waters, to places of blessings, peace and restoration in Jesus.  Steer us along the right paths as we navigate our way through life and help us to stay close to You.

In the words of St Paul, may we have “the power to grasp how long and high and wide and deep is the love of Christ and know this love that surpasses knowledge.”*

Loving God, we bring You the prayers of our hearts, thinking especially of anyone who needs to know your love, your guidance, strength, hope and peace. Holy Spirit, help us to pray, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

*  Eph 3:18-19 NIV

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.  And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. Micah 5:4 NIV

One so gentle,
One so tender,
One so meek,
Clothed in splendour.

One who came,
from heaven to us,
To bring to the world,
Hope and love.

He came with joy,
Healing and peace,
To save the world,
Through amazing grace.

We sit with You,
In this time and place,
To gaze on your loveliness,
In this holy space.

Jesus gentle,
Holy and true,
Transform my life,
To a likeness of You.

Gracious God, You invite and welcome us into your presence, to sit with you, to reflect and to gaze on Jesus our Saviour, our shepherd, and our friend. We settle out minds and bodies, and breathe deeply of your peace and your blessings through your Holy Spirit…..

We reflect on the person and nature of Jesus… Thank You for your divine love and provision that meets our daily needs and for the hope and promises of the future….

As we reflect, You call to us and set us apart to share your love, to care for each other, to be your hands and and feet in this world, in the special way You have prepared for each one of us.

Strengthen our faith and bless our resolve as we face the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead; for we are held in the eternally safe and secure hands of Jesus.  Gracious God, we praise You. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

I know that my redeemer lives

Job 19:25 NIV

As we walk
As we wander
As we journey
As we ponder,
A shining light illuminates the path,

A guiding hand hold us fast,
A firm foundation steadies our steps:
Our Saviour true, loving and near,
Will lead us through this and every year.

Gracious God, we praise You. You never change; Your love is sure, faithful and true.  As we journey through this year may Your transforming love make us more like Jesus.  Encourage us dear Lord to spend time with You and come to know You better; increase in us a desire to read of Your amazing power, love and compassion in the Bible; energise us in fresh and creative ways to praise You, to serve You and to share Your love in our families, workplace and communities.

“Show me your ways Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my Saviour and my hope is in You all day long.”  (Ps 25: 4-5 NIV)

Gracious God, as we reflect, may we be sensitive to and responsive to the guiding hand of your Holy Spirit. We ask all this in the name of and for the sake of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.

Matt 2:2 NIV

I believe and trust in Jesus
My Saviour and my guide
In his love and faithfulness
I will trust and abide.

I believe and trust in Jesus
My Saviour, come to me
All I have I offer you
For all eternity.

As we reflect, we come; we come to the stable to worship the new born King.  As we pray we open our hearts to receive your boundless love.  As we receive, fill out hearts with praise and thankfulness.

Loving God, we praise you for the King, born in swaddling clothes in a stable.  We praise you for the King, dressed in a loin cloth who gave his life on the cross. We praise you for the King, who left behind the grave clothes and rose to new life from the tomb. Loving God, we praise you for Jesus and for the everlasting life, hope, joy and peace that we find only through Him.  May we draw closer to him in faith, love and trust this coming year. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

… God said ” I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people.”

2 Cor 6:16 NIV UK

Wrapped in your arms
Encircled with grace
A present of love
A gift of peace

A lifetime of blessing
Our hearts restored
In Jesus our Saviour
Our glorious Lord

Loving God, in the peace and stillness of the night, or in the bustle and activity of the day, we come.  We come with praise and thankfulness for Jesus.

As we come to worship, we come to gaze on and unwrap the precious gift of Jesus to all the world.  We thank You that You love to bless us and long to draw us closer to your heart by your Holy Spirit.

As we come, we come to reflect.  We gather in our hearts and bring before You, our families and friends and the people, places and situations we pray for.  We ask You, gracious God, to bless them out of the abundance of your love.

As we come to receive, we come just as we are.  We thank You for your love and ask for your blessing.  We pray for ourselves and for all; for the assurance and fullness of your love, and your peace and joy in Christ Jesus this Christmas time.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth