A Prayer of Commitment and Redemption
"And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman." - Ruth 3:9
O Lord God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the One who sees every heart and knows all that dwells within it, I come before You this day with a humble spirit and an open heart. I am reminded of the poignant moment in Ruth 3:9, when Ruth, a woman of courage and determination, approached Boaz and said, ‘I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.’ What a powerful declaration of faith and a testament to the beautiful theme of redemption that resonates throughout Your Word.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the remarkable story of Ruth. In her plea, I see not only a cry for protection and refuge but also a deeper yearning for belonging and acceptance. Ruth was a Moabite, a woman from a foreign land, yet she boldly identified herself before Boaz, claiming her rightful place as a servant. Lord, remind us of our identity as Your children. Teach us to call upon You boldly, recognizing the inheritance we have in You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Just as Ruth came before Boaz, may we come before You, our Heavenly Kinsman-Redeemer, acknowledging our need for Your grace and mercy.
As I reflect on Ruth’s words, I am struck by the symbolism of the ‘skirt’ that she requested Boaz to spread over her. It is a beautiful picture of protection, covering, and acceptance. Lord, we live in a world where many are seeking shelter from storms of life, from the chaos and confusion that often assail us. I pray that You would spread Your loving arms over each person who feels lost and vulnerable today. May they find solace in Your presence, knowing that in You, they have a refuge that cannot be shaken. Help them to feel the warmth of Your embrace, reminding them that they are accepted, cherished, and made whole in You.
I ask, Lord, that like Ruth, we may possess the strength to seek after Your will with fervor. May we not shy away from approaching You in our times of need, but rather, come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy. Teach us the value of humility, as Ruth demonstrated as she presented herself as Your handmaid. May we adopt an attitude of servitude, seeking not to elevate ourselves, but to serve others in love and kindness as You have served us.
Father, grant us the wisdom to recognize the ‘near kinsmen’ in our lives—those whom You have placed in our paths to guide and support us. Help us to forge relationships that reflect Your love and grace, and lead us into partnerships that lead to healing and restoration. Help us to build communities where encouragement and strength are exchanged freely, just as Ruth found refuge in Boaz.
Incorporate within us a spirit of faith and commitment. Just as Ruth committed herself to Naomi, proclaiming, ‘Where thou goest, I will go,’ instill in us a steadfastness to remain loyal to our calling and to those whom You have entrusted to our care. May we reflect the commitment of Ruth in our own lives, honoring our promises and walking faithfully in our commitments.
As we declare, ‘I am Ruth thine handmaid,’ turn our eyes to You, our Redeemer. We thank You for the ultimate act of redemption through Jesus Christ, who spread His life over us, covering our sins and giving us a new identity. Encourage our hearts to trust in You fully, knowing that You are ever faithful, even when we falter.
In all that we do, may we honor You, cherishing the lessons learned from Ruth’s courageous heart. As we seek Your ‘skirt’ to cover us, we do so with grateful hearts, resting in the assurance of Your kindness and love towards us. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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Ruth 3:9 - "And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman."
"And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman." - Ruth 3:9
Ruth 2:3 – "So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters."
Ruth 1:3 - "And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons."
Ruth 3:1 - "Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"
Ruth 3:5 - "And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do."
Ruth 3:8 - "¶ And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet."
Ruth 3:12 - "And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I."
Ruth 3:6 - "¶ And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her."
Ruth 3:2 - "And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor."
Ruth 1:9 - "The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept."
Ruth 3:17 - "And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law."
Ruth 4:3 - "And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:"
Ruth 4:9 - "¶ And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi."
Ruth 3:3 - "Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking."
Ruth 2:3 - "And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech."
"And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I." - Ruth 3:12
"Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day." - Ruth 3:18
"And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her." - Ruth 3:16
Ruth 3:11 - "And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman."
Ruth 3:18 - "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."
"And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons." - Ruth 1:3
Ruth 3:14 - "¶ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor."
Ruth 3:16 - "And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her."
Ruth 3:15 - "Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city."
"¶ And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet." - Ruth 3:8
Ruth 3:10 - "And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich."
Ruth 3:7 - "And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down."
"And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do." - Ruth 3:5
"And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." - Ruth 3:11