Previous Reflections

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

The angel said to them. “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people.” Today your Saviour was born in the town of David. He is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 NCV

Born in a stable,
In the darkness of night,
The earth was illumined,
With heavenly light.

Jesus came,
There is no doubt,
Shepherds worshipped,
Kings sought him out.

The Saviour of the world!
The Prince of Peace!
Wonderful Counsellor!
Eternal, saving grace.

He gave his life,
A gift for all,
To come, to see,
To respond to his call.

The tomb was empty,
The cross was bare,
The light of the world
Has no place there.

Light of the World,
King of Kings,
Light and love,
To all he brings.

Jesus one day
Will come again,
The Light of the World,
Jesus, Saviour, is his name.

Almighty God, as we prepare to come and see, we reflect and wonder at the mystery and miracle of Jesus, who was both fully God and fully man, coming to save the world he created……

Gracious God, we thank you that Jesus offers forgiveness, hope, true joy, everlasting life and peace of heart to all who accept him. May the message of the angel be heard throughout the world.  May we come to  worship, praise and embrace Jesus with thankfulness and invite him afresh into our hearts and lives this Christmas. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

(The angel of the Lord said to Joseph)  “.. the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
Matt 1:23 NRSV

Gracious God with us,
guide us through this day.
Grant us wisdom in our decisions,
Truth in our words,
Love in our actions,
Strength in our minds,
And peace in our hearts.

Gracious God we thank you that Jesus is always with us by your Spirit.  At this busy time of year, you know and understand all our situations and the pressures we face.  And so, we take a moment to turn to you, to quieten our minds and reflect on your love and presence in our hearts ….

Gracious God, in these difficult times, it can be hard to see peace and joy in our world.  We come to you with open hearts and hands to draw on your love, your joy, your hope and your peace in Jesus, our strength and salvation.  Thank you for your promise that you will give rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.* Help us to share your grace with each other, that all may know the loving-kindness of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

* Jer 31:25 NLT

Jesus said “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”

John 7:37 NIV
God of our every day lives
You meet us
in the going out
In the coming in
In the routine
In the disruption
In the expected
In the unexpected
In the highs
And in the lows
You meet us every day in Jesus
May we meet with You today

Gracious God, you are here, with us, ready to meet with us. We settle out thoughts, quieten our minds, relax our bodies, and become aware of our breathing. We focus on Jesus, our life, our hope, our salvation….

We pray…. Loving God, thank you that your love welcomes all people everywhere, there are no exceptions or exclusions.  As we journey through this Advent, we thank you that Jesus meets with us, in all our circumstances, with the living water and refreshment of the Holy Spirit.  Loving God, quench our thirst, flood our lives with faith and with the hope, love, peace and joy of Jesus.  As we tell others, may they come, meet and believe in Jesus, the Saviour of the world. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

….the mind of the Spirit is life and peace

Romans 8:6 ESV

Gracious God, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of your son Jesus, we thank you that He came to live among us, to bring your love to earth and to restore our relationship with You.

Loving God, as we set our mind on You, may your Holy Spirit inspire us with hope and purpose; may we find rest and peace as we wait and prepare to celebrate the birth of a baby, the Christ child, whose life, death and resurrection gifted us eternal life and true and lasting peace.

Merciful God, we pray in the midst of divisions, difficulties and sadness in this world, that Jesus would gather us to his heart and lead us in ways of truth, kindness and compassion.  May your Spirit of restoration, unity and peace descend on our world this Christmas, for Jesus sake.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth