Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Monday 12 May 2025 Today is Monday the 12th of May, in the 4th week of Eastertide.     The Winchester College Chapel Choir sings, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’, by Stanford.     The Lord is my Shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing He shall feed me in a green pasture, and shall lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul, and shall bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for His Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me: Thou anointest my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But Thy loving kindness and Thy mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.    John 10:1-10  ‘Amen, amen, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.  So again Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’  Today, we will step deeper into the scene as we spend some time reflectively engaging our sense of hearing. Imagine for a moment that you are hearing Jesus tell this story. What can you hear? What does his voice sound like?     In the story Jesus is telling the sheep: follow the shepherd’s voice. What does this voice sound like to you? What sort of things would the shepherd say, do you think? Notice how it makes you feel…     What do you think the voices of the stranger, thief or bandit would sound like? What might they say? Why would the sheep not follow them?     As you listen to the passage again, notice the contrasts between the shepherd and the stranger…   John 10:1-10  ‘Amen, amen, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.  So again Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’  As this time of prayer comes to a close, you might pray for all you need to hear God’s voice clearly, walk through the gate, and have life abundantly…   Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen 

Sunday 11 May 2025Today is Sunday the 11th of May, beginning the 4th week of Eastertide.    Paul Zach sings, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’.     The Lord is my shepherd  The Lord is my shepherd  I shall not want  He leads my soul by the still waters  In the green pastures I am restored  Though I may walk through the dark valley  Of the shadow of death  I will not fear for your rod and staff comfort me  Goodness and mercy they will follow me  All of the days all the days of my life  And I will dwell in the house of the Lord  Forever and ever 
  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.    John 10:27-30  My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.  “I know them” says Jesus of his ‘sheep’, his followers. What does it feel like to hear those words of Jesus, that affirmation, that you are known? “I know them.”  Savour those words.  Reflect on the tenderness, yet also the toughness, of a shepherd towards his sheep. In a modern day setting a shepherd might round up his sheep with the help of a feisty sheep dog.  He might even guide them along a road with traffic. Sit with those images.  And think about how the sheep might recognise the voice of the shepherd. How they might work out the difference between the shepherd’s voice and that of a stranger.   Listen to the passage again. Allow the vivid, familiar imagery which Jesus uses to show something new.   John 10:27-30  My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.  In these closing moments, sit with Jesus the Shepherd. You might be on a sunny hillside. Or sheltering in a simple hut. Or walking in sleet and snow. Treasure the moments of being shepherded, of staying close.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen  

Saturday 10 May 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen.    Ask for God’s Spirit to guide you in this prayer.    Go in your imagination to a windy day.    Lean into the wind.  Feel the resistance of your body against it. Feel the effort of your body and the even greater strength of the wind. Give in and let yourself be moved along.    Immerse yourself in the physicality of this moment.  Think back to a time when you were wrestling with something.  You might have been protecting yourself. You might have felt angry. Or hurt. Self-pity might even have set in. In the quietness of this moment bring this time to God. Openly, honestly. You are being given a fair hearing.    Let the wind around you die down. Let your own voice be heard. Let your body feel strongly held.      You might want to stay with this moment or come back to it later or talk about it with a close friend.  Ask God for what you need in the coming hours. It could be as basic as needing grace in a reaction, a conversation, a relationship.      Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen 

Friday 9 May 2025Today is Friday the 9th of May, in the 3rd week of Eastertide.    The Choir of Holy Sepulchre London sings, ‘God Be In My Head’.     God be in my head, 
 And in my understanding;  
God be in mine eyes, 
 And in my looking; 
 God be in my mouth, 
 And in my speaking; 
 God be in my heart, 
 And in my thinking; 
 God be at mine end, 
 And at my departing.  Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.    Acts 9:1-20  Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.  Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’  ‘Agere contra’. The phrase means “to act against,” and refers to an Ignatian practice of acting against behaviours that are not life-giving and hold us back from freedom.  You might not be a persecutor like Saul, but might there be some negative behaviour that you have developed that, with God’s help, you can act against? An attitude towards another person or group, for example. You might want to speak with God about it, just simply. You might even feel wounded and ask for healing.   Paul, that driven personality tamed, was later to write in his letters to various churches such comments as “I have learned in all things to be content” and advice to “let your gentleness be evident to all.” What a transformation!   How might you want to be transformed? Listen to the passage again and allow the events to speak to you.  Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.  Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’  In these closing moments, you might want to ask for transformation of a particular area of your life.  Allow God to sit with you as you work it through. You can be open and honest.  God is unshakeable.  And un-shockable. And the practice of ‘agere contra’ might be an excellent tool.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen 

Thursday 8 May 2025Today is Thursday the 8th of May, in the 3rd week of Eastertide.    IAMSON, with Lisa Odour-Noah, sings, ‘I Wanna Know’. As you listen, you might like to think of how you have come to know Jesus over the years...    I wanna know  I wanna know You, Lord  In all Your ways    For to know You is to love You  And to love You is to do what You say  So, in all Your ways  I wanna know You, Lord    I wanna seek  I wanna seek Your face  Day by day    For to seek You  Is to love You  And to find You  Is to follow Your heart  And be where You are  I wanna seek Your face    Oh, I wanna know You, Lord    Draw me nearer, draw me closer  I just want to know Your ways  And take my heart, and purify it  I just want to know Your ways    Oh, I wanna know You (I wanna know)    For to know You is to love You  And to love You is to do what You say  So, in all Your ways  I wanna know You, Lord  Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.    Acts 8:26-40  Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:  
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, 
   and like a lamb silent before its shearer, 
     so he does not open his mouth.  
In his humiliation justice was denied him. 
   Who can describe his generation? 
     For his life is taken away from the earth.’  
The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.  Imagine the scene in today’s passage. Take in the surroundings, the level of light, the weather.    Enjoy the two strong characters. What do you notice and appreciate about each of them?  There’s a lightness, an energy to them both, would you agree?  Consider the role of Philip’s sensitivity before he begins any kind of explaining...  Notice how in tune he is with the Holy Spirit.    Perhaps you’ve witnessed this kind of scene, the meeting of two cultures. It could go disastrously wrong. Bulldozing, going beyond our remit, assuming authority. How do we know when to observe and when to step in?  As you hear the passage again, notice what comes to the surface for you.  Acts 8:26-40  Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:  
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, 
   and like a lamb silent before its shearer, 
     so he does not open his mouth.  
In his humiliation justice was denied him. 
   Who can describe his generation? 
     For his life is taken away from the earth.’  
The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.  In these closing moments you might want to ask for the sensitivity, and alacrity, of Philip, and the openness, enthusiasm and humility of the eunuch.  Ask to be in tune with the Holy Spirit.  A unique combination for the spreading of God’s good news.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen 

Wednesday 7 May 2025Today is Wednesday the 7th of May, in the 3rd week of Eastertide.    Juliano Ravenello sings, Pater Noster, the Our Father. As you listen to this played twice through, you might like to say the Lord’s Prayer as we begin our time of reflection today.     Pater noster, qui es in caelis,   sanctificetur nomen tuum.   Adveniat regnum tuum.   Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra.   Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie,   et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut   et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.   Et ne nos inducas in tentationem,   sed libera nos a malo.   Amen.  Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.    Acts 8:1b-8  That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.  Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.  Here, terrifying scenes of persecution, with Saul as the chief perpetrator. Take a moment to sit with these scenes, however difficult. The awful truth is that this level of persecution of believers persists today. Pray for our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church today. Praying in this way is a part of our calling.  What courage they had to keep going in spreading the Gospel! And what courage they have today. There might be something specific you would like to pray for these brave ones who are close to God’s heart. You can do that now.  Listen to the passage again, and this time focus on Saul. You know how his personal story develops, but don’t move on too quickly. Acknowledge how dark he has become before any transformation takes place. Consider the God he will encounter.  Acts 8:1b-8  That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.  Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.  In these closing moments, you might want to pray for anyone close to you whom you long to encounter Jesus. Bring them in your prayerful imagination to that place.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen 

Tuesday 6 May 2025Today is Tuesday the 6th of May, in the 3rd week of Eastertide.    The Convivium Singers sing, ‘Blessed Bread’ by Margaret Rizza. As we prepare for prayer today, pause and allow the music to speak to you. How is Jesus present for you in this piece?     Blessed bread, everlasting life  Sacred cup, eternal salvation    Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.    John 6:30-35  So they said to [Jesus], ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’  Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’    Begin today’s reflection time thinking about bread. Bread in all shapes and sizes, food that everyone understands. You might want to take a piece of bread in your hand. Think about the basic ingredients. Crumble the bread. Taste it. Where does this basic ritual take you in your imagination?  What do you think of bread as a symbol that Jesus often uses in His teaching? Simple?  Ingenious? Deeply nourishing on many levels?  Listen to the passage again. Let anything become clear that perhaps hasn’t been clear before.   John 6:30-35  So they said to [Jesus], ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’  Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’    Share a quiet, simple meal of bread with Jesus as you reflect on what you’ve heard. You can ask any questions; make any comments you want to. You might want to finish with “Give me this bread, always.”  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen

Monday 5 May 2025Today is Monday the 5th of May, in the 3rd week of Eastertide.     Nick Chambers sings, ‘It Is Good To Be Here With You’. Is it good for you to be with the Lord today as you begin to pray? If so, let Him know!    When you bring me up the mount,  Into the brightness of the cloud   Even when I cannot stay,  when I don’t know what to say.  It is good to be here with you, with you.    When I hear the voice above  “This is my Beloved Son”  When I’m shaken by the sound  With my face pressed to the ground  It is good to be here   It is good to be here with you, with you.    With your touch, I hear you say,  “Rise and do not be afraid”  When I look it’s only you  The face that I thought that I knew   It is good to be here   It is good to be here with you, with you.  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.    John 6:22-29  The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.  When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’    This crowd is determined to find Jesus. Through the gospel writer’s eyes, we can appreciate the lengths to which the people go to reach Jesus. The chase is quite comical, isn’t it? But Jesus welcomes them with a reality check: they’re complicating His message of simple belief. Do you ever take a roundabout, convoluted route to approaching Jesus and His message?  What might it be like if you took a more direct route, starting by just being yourself and Jesus simply loving you?  Jesus refers to Himself as ‘the Son of Man’.  Is there something about identifying with us all as human beings in that name?   How does that affect you?  Listen to the passage again and notice what comes up for you.    John 6:22-29  The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.  When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’    Spend some time pondering in these closing moments...  You might want to think about how you would like to address God the Father, or Jesus, the Son of Man.  Ask the Holy Spirit to be present to you. Gently allow your prayer to form.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen 

Sunday 4 May 2025Today is Sunday the 4th of May, beginning the 3rd week of Eastertide. One Hope Project sings ‘My Soul Rests’. Here in this mystery Here in Your majesty I find myself With nothing to offer Your love surrounds me You give me yourself My soul rests, my soul rests In your embrace My spirit sings, my spirit sings All your praise Here in your presence The whole host of heaven Bows down low There’s no higher honour No love that’s greater You make us your own You’re so close, Jesus, so close to me Like the breath in my lungs You’re so close, Jesus, so close to me Like the breath in my lungs Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. We began the week with readings about the life and witness of the apostles in Jerusalem, and we end the week with an account of them continuing in their obedience to God, even in the face of punishment. Perhaps you know someone who is a minister of the Gospel today, also serving in a challenging situation or environment? Bring them to mind now in prayer, asking for God’s blessing upon them today. At their trial, the apostles say, ‘We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ Where in your life do you need the presence of the Holy Spirit with you? Talk with the Lord about this situation now. As you listen to the reading again, picture Peter and the apostles as they stand before the council in Jerusalem. What do you notice about them? Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. 'As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name.' Recall again your experiences, suffered because of your faith in Jesus. Imagine that you are walking with the apostles in Jerusalem talking about these experiences. Perhaps you can let this fellowship of believers, with their experiences and their joy, be a blessing to you today, on your journey of faith. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Saturday 3 May 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. We read in the Bible of Jesus’ need to withdraw to quiet places to be alone with his heavenly Father. Imagine that you do this now, with Jesus beside you. Where would you like to go? Spend a few moments picturing this quiet space…perhaps as a remembered place or by bringing it to life in your imagination. Find a space to sit together and simply enjoy being present with Jesus. Take time to look around together. What do you notice? Now, picture Jesus as he leans towards you and asks, “How has your week been?” What would you like to share with him? Now, he asks, “When did you sense me close to you?” “And when did you feel most alone?” Take time to let your conversation together continue. Perhaps you want to share something you are grateful for? Maybe you have a request. Now, tell Jesus a little about your week ahead. Perhaps there is something that concerns you… or something you are looking forward to… When you feel ready, in your mind, stand up and walk a while together. You may like to hold onto a moment from this reflection, perhaps to return to, as you journey into the week ahead. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen