Showing posts with label a prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a prayer. Show all posts

Saturday, May 3, 2025

A Sober Petition (or, An Earnest Appeal)


Today, there’s a surplus of noise in our lives,
 yet God still speaks in a quiet voice 
through the Scriptures and by His Spirit. 
Taking time to prayerfully focus our attention on God 
will help us tune in to His comforting, guiding voice.
 (Daily Bread Devotion-Listening for God's Voice)

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, 
but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, 
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Ps.90:14

***
Lulled by this world's noise
oh may it not be so
Deafened and blinded to the joys
Only God can bestow

***

We live in an age of unprecedented distraction!
Oh God, protect me/us from senses dulled
by constant appeal...
The prayer below is a sober petition
inspired in part by my dream last night
when I learned I only had a short time remaining to live,
and in part by the awful reality 
of the regard/disregard of the Word of God
as if it were the word of man! 





Grant me not peace where sin resists
Repentance, with Reason’s clenched fists
Where surrender is ‘but in part’
Rather than fully yielded heart

Grant me not joy where pride defends
Choices of disobedience
Convict me where sly snares invade
Lest ‘faith’ becomes a masquerade

Dear loving, gracious, holy God
While I behold but the façade
Whereby judgement is oft inclined
You see my heart and soul and mind

Then, grant me not dull hopes unfurled
By prospects of this fleeting world
But rather guard with watchful eye
The place where true affections lie

And grant me not, where sin still reigns
A false sense of its broken chains
Forbid that I should be deceived
By erring rationale believed

Lord, grant me meeker, purer thirst
To seek you and your kingdom first
Then, help me live each day of grace
Prepared to meet Thee, face to face

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

© Janet Martin





Friday, March 21, 2025

Unparalleled Relinquishment

In the course of my prayer this morning,
 what-ifs suddenly tried to force their way in,
seeking to overthrow trust with doubt, faith with fear!
Lord, you know all!
My parents, my husband and my children are in Thy faithful care!
'what a privilege to carry everything to You in prayer'

What unparalleled relinquishment,
what peace,
 to release to God
 full control!

...and then, this is today's devotion!
Thank-you Lord



Help me Lord, where unknowns tarry, to trust Your unfailing hand
Though your way is oft contrary to the purposes I planned

Help me not to dread tomorrow or to fret its mystery 
Keep me from stooping to borrow sorrows that may never be

In life's course of love and learning, testing courts of heart and soul
Help me to release my yearning to the peace of Your control 

Janet Martin


A morning sky like this makes me think of this hymn...




Lyrics by Harriet Beecher Stowe

1 Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness I am with Thee.

2 Alone with Thee amid the mystic shadows,
The solemn hush of nature newly born;
Alone with Thee in breathless adoration,
In the calm dew and freshness of the morn.

3 Still, still with Thee! as to each newborn morning
A fresh and solemn splendor still is given,
So does this blessed consciousness, awaking,
Breathe each day nearness unto Thee and heaven.

4 When sinks the soul, subdued by toil, to slumber,
Its closing eyes look up to Thee in prayer;
Sweet the repose beneath Thy wings o'ershading,
But sweeter still, to wake and find Thee there.

5 So shall it be at last, in that bright morning,
When the soul waketh, and life's shadows flee;
O in that hour, fairer than daylight dawning,
Shall rise the glorious thought, I am with Thee.


Amen.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Faith's Sacred Enrollment


Through what lies behind
we are being prepared
for what lies ahead!

***
Regret has but one merit;
to learn from it

***

God cares for each of us beyond our wildest comprehension;
and invites us to cast our cares on Him!
Why do I/we often attempt to shoulder care
as if He didn't care?!!

***


What great fun and frustration, as we cheer on
our favourite teams, for better or worse!

When we put our faith in God
we become part of a 'team'
whose 'Coach' puts us through drills we often don't recognize
unless/until they produce His desire's sacred result;
a more humbly prayerful people.


Oh Lord, we give thee thanks
Whatever comes our way
May circumstance unveil the ranks
That teaches us to pray
...that tutors hope and trust
Though sorrow's throes increase
As we surrender what we must
You fill us with your peace

Lord, nothing is too hard
For You to will and do
Where the deceiver preys, you guard
The heart, humble and true
And should we stumble, still
You do not turn away
But with the shards of broken will
You teach us how to pray

Oh Lord, kindly renew
Our courage through your love
Help us to wholly lean on You
The wellspring of Enough 
For we know no true loss
Whatever comes our way
As long as You command/commend the cross 
That teaches us to pray

To wallow in regret
Is futile; Lord, pray we
Will learn from the mistakes that set
More sorry sights on Thee 
Forgiver of our sin
Help us as You prepare
The sacred drills faith enrolls in; 
Today's lessons in prayer

Our faith ought never be
In throne-rooms of this world
Lord, open eyes of faith to see
Your mighty Hand unfurled
Then, as a soldier/soul-dier true
Whatever comes our way
 Help us to put our trust in You
Who teaches us to pray

Your strength, through weakness gleams
In grief, Your comfort cheers
From the ash-heaps of broken dreams
We cry; Your kindness hears
And bends to bind the ill
That comes through creature care
That tests us with love's best until
We lean on You in prayer
 
 © Janet Martin 

Prov.3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; 
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 In all thy ways acknowledge him,
 and he shall direct thy paths.















Monday, January 20, 2025

Monday Morning/Every Morning Prayer and Praise...

Lam.3:22-24

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”



Quicken us, Lord, with Your Spirit, with wealth of Thy wisdom
Lest we would, for some earth-trinket forfeit Heaven's Kingdom
Lest through the love of an idol we lose Intercession
Lest the tongue we do not bridle hinders sin's confession
Lest by breaking one commandment we offend all others
Lest, by errant understanding we cause stumbling brothers
Lest pride's vile infatuation blinds us to faith's calling
Lest the deceiver's temptation binds us to down-falling
Lest greed becomes the go-getter breeding selfish living
Forging from blessing a fetter rather than thanksgiving
Lest we lose this life by loving Self's death-doomed direction
Lest we forget choices proving who consumes Affection
Lest we choose, when life is ended,( sooner than expected)
Compensation we befriended by Who we neglected/rejected
Quicken us Lord, with Your Spirit's steadfast, sweetest pleasure
Lest we value more the merit of earth's fleeting treasure

© Janet Martin 

***  

Mercy, new each morning
What more do we need
To grace our sojourning
To cheer word and deed
To bolster hope's yearning
To secure faith's sail
Mercy, new each morning
Love that will not fail

© Janet Martin 

***

Lord, You know what today/this week will bring
And what its charges will entail
Lord, there is no chink in Your wing
The armour You forge will not fail

Lord, with truth and humility
Let our light shine forth, and then
Through each good deed may others see
You, and glorify You. Amen

© Janet Martin 

***




Monday, January 6, 2025

Only For Today...

 

Phil.4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always.
 I will say it again: Rejoice! 
5Let your gentleness be evident to all.
 The Lord is near.
 6Do not be anxious about anything, 
but in every situation,
 by prayer and petition, 
with thanksgiving, 
present your requests to God. 
7And the peace of God, 
which transcends all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds
 in Christ Jesus.

A little doodle to begin a new week of looking up...
(Disclaimer: I have never pretended to be an accomplished artist 😅😂)




Not for tomorrow’s load of care
But only for today
I lift to Thee a simple prayer
To be my Strength and Stay

Not for tomorrow’s want and need
Do I pour out my heart
But only for today I plead
‘Lord, help me do my part’

Not for tomorrow’s battle-cry
Nor morrow’s misery
But only for today, supply
Mercy’s kind courtesy

Not for tomorrow’s come-what-may
Do I beseech Thy grace
Dear Lord, but only for today
Be sorrow’s resting place

Lord, list'ner of love's humble prayer
In Jesus’ name I pray
Fit me, not for tomorrow’s care
But only for today

And, should courage and confidence
Falter, Lord, help me hear
Your whisper, like a thousand winds  
'Fear not, for I am near'

© Janet Martin



A song for your wondering pleasure!







Thursday, December 19, 2024

To the Weaver of Creature Cares, Some Poem-let Prayers


My friend gave me this book for Christmas.
She cautioned that it might make me shed some tears.
It did. 
But what worthwhile tears they are
as it reminded me of Rom.8:28 again,
'how God works all things together for good
to those who love Him and are called
according to his purpose.'



Sometimes, the troubled parts we see as hues of heartache blend
Are but threads in a Tapestry we cannot comprehend 
How often what may seem like disappointing change of plan
Is but God's intervention anointing the will of man
As from a skein of Mercy's flax He weaves, beyond our ken
Much more than we could think to ask or think to think. Amen  

***

Dear Lord, when I forget in the thick of setbacks and such
To visualize life's shimm'ring thread soft-tumbling through Your Touch 
Help me remember to picture You at the shuttle where
What looks like trouble's tincture is the answer to a prayer
The Weavers Work of Art I only see in part. Lord, then
Create in me a humbler heart of childlike faith, Amen 

***

Lord, when our hope is shaken by dark hues of circumstance 
When one we love is taken or when courage cannot dance
Beneath the weight of waiting and creature cares that life brings
Rather than hope deflating, lift it up on eagle's wings
Because, what tests faith's valour beyond logic's acumen 
May compose the key colour in Your Masterpiece. Amen

© Janet Martin 

Isn't it awesome to remember God knows what we have need of
even before we ask?! 
How His answers go before us all around the world in a wink! 

Matt. 6:8
...your Father knows what you need before you ask him.



Hymn: Since Jesus my Savior

Since Jesus my Savior from sin rescued me
Life's pathway shines brighter because I am free
No harn can befall me though foes should assail
My refuge is Jesus, his love cannot fail.
His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.
There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail.

My heart overflows with a wondrous delight
For Jesus is with me by day and by night
His love ever flowing so boundless and free
It never can fail, 'tis for you and for me.
His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.
There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail

There's no one like Jesus to comfort and bless
There's no one like him in the hour of distress
He knows every trial on life's upward way
His love cannot fail, 'tis a joy day by day.
His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.
There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail.

Singers: Altar of Praise Chorale
Words and music: James M. Black


Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Overcome With Joy

This past year felt a bit like a blur of one sorrow after another,
Dec. 14 marked eight months since the loss of my neighbour/friend.
Dec. 15, marked one month since my husband's mother passed to her desired rest,
And today, Dec.17, marks three months since I lost one of my beloved sisters, Lucy.
and many lost a friend,
but through deep grief I have time and again been speechlessly
overcome with joy through the comfort of promises from God's word and through
the compassion of so many caring family, friends and neighbours 
leaving in its wake a multitude of kinder, more tender friendships.

As we partake rather than flee from bearing one another's burdens
and so fulfilling the law/love of Christ, (Gal.6:2)
He surprises us with unsurpassed joy 

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice;
at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.




Lord, leave me overcome with joy
No words can quite define
No circumstance can quite destroy
Nor sorrow undermine

Lord, as I lift my eyes to Thee
From earth's groaning employ
Remind me that mortality
Precedes eternal joy

Console me with the glorious thought
Of joy still set before
Until a joy I had not sought
Surprises sorrows sore

And fills the longings of my heart
With joy beyond compare
And faith to face the cunning art
Of stumbling block and snare

Permit a humbler joy be born
Upon my bended knee
As I lift up my plea each morn
Then wait expectantly

Amen

~Janet Martin

Saturday, December 7, 2024

On Finding Faith's Fortune


It's easy to 'be still' in the calm scenes of life
like soft snowfall at daybreak,
But all of life is not A Soft Snowfall

Today's poem is a prayer
because walking by faith never happens by accident. 

Today Lord, make my gladness whole, not with some outward sign
But, with your whispers, quench my soul, lest cursed, I thirst and pine
Help me be still and know that You are God; by faith, not sight
Open the eyes of my heart to Your wonder and delight

Remind me of Your kindness, whose full proof streams undeterred
Redeem me from my blindness to/through the riches of Your Word
Restore my soul to worship as I behold Calvary
Renew love's sacred courtship/rebuke each carnal courtship; create a clean heart in me

Though my spirit is willing, Lord, you know my flesh is weak
(Faith's fortune, though more thrilling than this world's, is hard to seek)
This world's allure is glamour-glossed but is death and hell's prey
My God, without counting the cost, help me choose You today

Lord, faith must all self-will resign; feeling and sight denied
Help me to make your promise mine; and thus, in peace reside
For you will keep in perfect peace the mind that trusts in You
All futile fear and worry cease as Your peace runs faith through

From Nazareth a Good Thing came; a child was born, Your Son
And Jesus is His holy name; Saviour for everyone
Lord, hope and joy need nothing more; surprise me once again
To find Faith's fortune, set/yet before, my chief delight. Amen

 © Janet Martin 


Ps.51:6-12

...Surely You desire truth in the inmost being;
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

9Hide Your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

11Cast me not away from Your presence;
take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
and sustain me with a willing spirit...

Read the whole glorious chapter  HERE



Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Content (A Prayer)

The message at my mother-in-law's funeral yesterday
filled my sorrow-worn heart with comfort as we
'press toward the mark for the prize 
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil.3:14

But godliness with contentment is great gain.
 For we brought nothing into the world,
 and we can take nothing out of it.
1 Tim.6:6-7


As I listened I was impacted by a wonder-filled wave
of comfort, joy and gratitude for the enough-ness of God's Word!
It inspired a prayer for contentment...

Lord, today before we embark toward its setting sun
And press anew toward the mark for the prize not yet won
Lord, grant us eyes to see Your Hand and ears to hear Your voice
And hearts content to understand faith's reasons to rejoice

Content to trust the measure of Your ever-present care
Content to count Your perfect love worth every cross we bear
Content to comfort sorrow's pleas with promises to claim
Content to fall upon our knees and call upon Your name

Content to live a hymn of praise for Your kind faithfulness  
Content to commit all our ways to You; You cheer and bless 
Content to know You will not cease throughout eternity 
That you will keep in perfect peace each mind stayed upon Thee

Content to satisfy Want's thirst from wellsprings of Your word
Content where daybreak's bowers burst with mercies undeterred  
Content, because Your grace bridges the depths of death and hell
Content because your Word's riches no tallying can tell 

Content because better than gold, is the joy of You, Lord
Content because we know You hold Time's vulnerable cord
Content because You hold the key to happiness unfurled
Without You reigns depravity though we gain all the world  

Content to strive to imitate Divine Humility 
To be obedient, though great the cross and cost may be
Content to know without a doubt what You say You will do
Content to make today about eternity with You 

Content to live to give you all honor and glory, oh
Forgive me, Lord, sometimes I fall prey to Self, as You know 
Content because Your love is true, your Word is too, and then
Content because greater are You than anything. Amen 

  © Janet Martin

The song below is comforting too...

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Nothing Is Mine Alone Save This...


Lest I harbour an unforgiving spirit,
Lest I forget whose love and grace grants what I consider 'mine',
Lest I grow greedy, self-serving/reliant, proud, bitter, 
Lord open my eyes and remind me,
The only thing that is mine 
is my reply to You
for all You have given/done for me


On Sunday we were challenged to contemplate our
response, attitude and gratitude for forgiveness
Click HERE and then click Nov. 10 service
for beautiful baptism testimonies, 
and meaningful message!

But if ye do not forgive, 
neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Lord, you forgive, You bore my shame/blame
Not one sin saved to damn 
Then Lord, help me in the same way
To forgive fellowman  

May these words forever strike a chill to our undying souls,
'I will not forgive'

Thy handiwork and love, my awe...





Dear Lord,

Remind me, what is 'mine' is Thine
All that First Glances own
Are but gifts from Thy Hand divine
Nothing is 'mine' alone
Save Thy forgiveness for my sin
Thy Presence for my fear
Thy Love, my stubborn will to win
Thy Word, my hope and cheer
Thy promises, my faith's delight
My joy, Thy grief achieved
Thy death for my eternal life
The hour I believed

Thy rod and staff to comfort me
Thy pardon for my debt
Thy mercy, my humility
Thy grace for my regret
Thy life for mine; Thy life-blood shed
Thy prayer-groaned/honed albatross
'Father forgive'; Thyself instead
Of me upon the cross 
Thy penance for my reckoning
My power by Thy Name
My reply to Thy beckoning
Is all that I can claim

Thy handiwork and love, my awe
Thy Righteousness, my peace
No hope have I save by Thy law
That anchors my release
From death and hell, My freedom sealed
By Thy decree divine 
My brokenness, by Thy Wounds healed
All that I have is Thine 
So, when my erring attitude
Forgets Thy goodness, then
Correct my lack of gratitude
As You see fit. Amen

© Janet Martin

I've shared the songs below many times
because I love them!








Monday, October 28, 2024

Hope's Sublimity or Recognizing The Comforter

A friend sent me these verses last night to encourage me
and help me guard against despair...

2 Cor.4:8-9 NIV
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; 
perplexed, but not in despair; 
 persecuted, but not abandoned; 
struck down, but not destroyed...

Thank-you Lord!


Thank-you, as you rend night's curtain
 Whatever today commands
Your hope lets Faith know for certain
That we are in perfect Hands 


A prayer to begin a new week...

While I am learning how to love You, Lord, the way I ought
How to be a reflection  of the love that Your love taught
How not to think more highly of Self than I should, instead
To live with more awareness of the life-blood that You shed
Then, to be much more thankful for the hope Your pardon sealed
While I am learning hope's bedrock; by your wounds I am healed 
Have mercy, Lord, while I am learning hope's sublimity; 

© Janet Martin

Hope is grief's Healer
In Christ's wounds whereby we are healed, 
Hope is manifested.
Here we find the tangibility of these truths

Ps.147:3
He heals the brokenhearted 
and binds up their wounds.

Ps.34:18
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, 
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Isa.53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
 he was crushed for our iniquities;
 the punishment that brought us peace was on him, 
and by his wounds we are healed.

Before Jesus was crucified, resurrected and ascended He promised this;

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit-John 14:15-18

(Joel 2:28-32John 16:5-16Acts 2:1-13Acts 10:44-48Acts 19:1-7)

15If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever;
17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:
but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you...






Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley...A Prayer

 

I received the postcard below in the mail last week,
Painted by my friend 


this was yesterday's devotion...


Every day I am comforted by visits, messages, phone calls, 
scripture, cards, meals, food-gifts, flowers, songs and prayers
Thank-you all so very much!
As, through each kindness I learn
God's faithfulness at every turn


On Sunday, as I gazed at this view at my friend's home...


...I felt the presence of this verse...
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Ps.23:2


Dear Lord, supply my need today
To trust Your will, Your Word, Your Way
To love Your law then, to obey
In Jesus precious Name, I pray

Your rod and staff, they comfort Me
Your armour thwarts the enemy
Though dark the passage through death’s vale
The Light of Your Word will not fail

Dear Lord, in Thee I put my trust
Until my frame returns to dust
Help me to be faithful and true
Until my soul returns to You

I love you Lord, let nothing mar
My confidence in who You are
Through every gasp of grief and pain
Your perfect purpose will sustain

Your goodness and mercy abide
Save me from doubt's rebellious pride
Your thoughts reach far beyond my ken
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen


© Janet Martin

Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.


Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs
 according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Sharing the link to  two stunning
and new for me songs sent to me this morning...

What a Broken Heart Can Do-Brian Free & Assurance 


I can almost here Lucy exclaiming over the songs!!