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

O Lord, I will always sing of your constant love; I will proclaim your faithfulness for ever.

Ps 89:1 GNT

I will sing of your love forever,
You are my rescuer,
You are my Lord,
My rest, my shield, my dwelling place,
Merciful, gracious God.

I will sing of your love forever,
Your love has set me free,
You are my Saviour,
You are my guide,
Forgiving, generous God.

I will sing of your love forever,
Your light illuminates me,
You enable,
You strengthen,
You care, you provide,
Compassionate, loving God.

Lord of love and life, we praise and thank You for the world You have created; for the sights and sounds and for the simple beauty of all that is around us.  Thank You that all creation points to your love and faithfulness.

Thank You that you invite us to come to You just as we are.  As we reflect and focus on Jesus, on how much He loves us and all He has done for us, refresh us with the knowledge of your truth; remind us of your love, your grace and strength in our hearts, that we may sing of your love and faithfulness to a world in need of hope, love and compassion.  Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Image: Cheryl O’Connor – used with permission

Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 

Phil 4:8 NLT

Gracious God, we thank You for this beautiful verse in the Bible reminding us that You care about our thoughts. You understand that many things worry us, distract us and rob us of our peace and joy. Yet, You tell us not to worry, to follow and to trust in Jesus. *

Gracious God, we thank You for this new day.  May we keep our minds set on what is good, right and true.  May we see your hand of love and grace in the simple things, in the beauty and diversity in our world and in each other. May we follow Jesus with all our heart.  May the transforming love of your Spirit draw us close to Jesus, uplift and inspire us and guide our decisions.  Help us to care for others as ourselves and bring all things to You in prayer.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

* Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me. (John 14:1 NLT)

Love…always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Cor: 13 7-8 NIV

May love light up the autumn skies,
May joy rise up in our daily lives,
May our path be straight,
And our way be clear,
May our hearts be tender,
Merciful and sincere,
May our eyes always keep in sight,
The love of God in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Loving God, thank You that your very nature is love. Love is the heart centre of your purpose and plans for all creation, for our lives and for all eternity.  We thank You that your love for us does not change; it is constant, faithful, forgiving, sure and true.  As we reflect, draw us closer to your heart that we may know more fully the extent of your love for us in Jesus, our Saviour….

Loving God, as the season changes and the nights draw in, would you illuminate the path before us.  As the season changes and the temperature changes, may our hearts radiate the warmth of your love. Unite us in your love by your Holy Spirit. Help us to see the needs of those around us and to respond with your heart of love and care. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus .. rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Mark 4:39 NLT

Loving God, thank you for the gift of the peace and the rest of Jesus. We reflect on the word S.T.R.E.S.S. in the light of your word in the Bible :-

S – Seek God’s guidance.
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.( Matt 6:33 NIV) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).
Lord, may we first of all to speak to you about whatever troubles us and to seek the way forward in a way that brings honour to You.

T – Trust what God tells us.
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV)
Lord, You are trustworthy. Thank you that you speak to us through the Bible and in prayer. Increase our faith and trust as step out in the direction You show us.

R – Remember God’s help in the past.
“..nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ( Romans 8:39 NLT).

We thank you for your promises in Jesus and reflect on the times You have helped us through past difficulties.

E – Exalt God above the problem.
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)
Almighty God, help us to worship You rather than to worry.  May we not lose sight of your love and goodness.

S – Solicit the prayers and support of others.
Jesus said, “For where 2 or 3 come together in my name I am there with them.” (Matt 18:20 GNT)
Loving God, thank you for community. Thank you for people who will pray with us and for us. Help us to be aware of the needs of others and offer prayerful and practical support.

S – Stand firm.
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Eph 6:10 NIV).  “The helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all I told you” (John 14:26 GNT). Thank you Lord that your grace is sufficient for us. (2 Cor 12:9).

Gracious God, may your Holy Spirit remind us of your words of love, truth and wisdom in the Bible. In times of stress, may we know the assurance of the peace and presence of Jesus in our hearts, as we seek to follow your will and your way.

Ruth Rushworth

S.T.R.E.S.S. Mnemonic taken and adapted from UCB 1-3 Oct 2023

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Bible Versions
NIV – New International Version
NLT – New Living Translation
GNT – Good News Translation

This drawing is by Anja Rozen, a 13 year old primary school student in Slovenia. She was chosen from 600,000 children around the world to create a piece of art to show what peace looks like. She is the winner of  the international Plakat Miru, Peace Poster competition 2021-2022.

” My photo is depicted of people holding each other up.  Everyone is equally important as the loops in a weave and dependent on each other – if you let go of one loop, the whole line falls.  All of them are connected to the earth which binds them together with knitting.”

Courtesy:  Fatima Anfig & Lions Slovenija

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  (Col 3:14 NLT)

Loving God, we pray for peace in our broken and troubled world. Amen

Ruth Rushworth