Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Saturday 8 March 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Take some time to rest in the presence of God. Recall what has happened to you in the course of the week. Don’t feel you have to strain to remember everything… Just allow what you naturally remember to rise to the surface. Is there anything that stands out? Bring it into conversation with God. Is there anyone for whom you would like to give thanks to God? Take some time to do so now. This week has been the beginning of Lent. On Ash Wednesday we heard words from the Prophet Joel: 'return to me with all your heart'. How do these words speak to you now? Let yourself dwell on whatever seems important, eventually bringing that into conversation with Jesus. Looking ahead, what seems to be important for the days to come? Is there anything you would like to ask for as the new week begins? You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Friday 7 March 2025Today is Friday the 7th of March, in the season of Lent. Bifrost Arts sing, ‘O God, Will You Restore Us?’. O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? I will hear what God proclaims The Lord our God proclaims peace Kindness and truth shall meet Justice and peace shall kiss O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? Here is the fast that I choose To loosen the bonds of the oppressed and break their chains Let righteousness and justice go out before you Then You will call out and I will hear O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? Near indeed is His salvation to those who call on Him He will incline His ear and hear their prayers Truth shall spring out of the earth And justice will rain down from heaven O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? The Lord will guide you on a righteous path His vindication will shine down forth as the dawn Your people will be called repairers of broken walls Making straight the path to proclaim His reign O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? O God, will You restore us? Please grant us Your salvation Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 58:1-9 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’ Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. In today's reading, the Prophet Isaiah challenges us to consider that fasting does not just mean refraining from food and drink but is about how one's behaviour impacts on the lives of others. 'to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free'... This, we hear, is the kind of fasting God prefers. Fasting is connected to liberating the oppressed. How do you feel about this? '...to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house...'. Fasting is also connected to sharing with the hungry and sheltering the homeless. Would you like to reflect on how this could be a reality in your own life? As you listen to the passage again, why not consider how the passage might shape your own approach to fasting. Isaiah 58:1-9 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’ Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. In these closing moments, reflect on the moments in your prayer where you have felt consoled, close to God’s heart of love and light. Reflect too, on the moments where you felt drained, weighed down or far from God’s heart. Speak to God about these moments or anything else that is staying with you... You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Friday 7 March 2025Today is Friday the 7th of March, in the season of Lent. Bifrost Arts sing, ‘O God, Will You Restore Us?’. O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? I will hear what God proclaims The Lord our God proclaims peace Kindness and truth shall meet Justice and peace shall kiss O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? Here is the fast that I choose To loosen the bonds of the oppressed and break their chains Let righteousness and justice go out before you Then You will call out and I will hear O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? Near indeed is His salvation to those who call on Him He will incline His ear and hear their prayers Truth shall spring out of the earth And justice will rain down from heaven O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? The Lord will guide you on a righteous path His vindication will shine down forth as the dawn Your people will be called repairers of broken walls Making straight the path to proclaim His reign O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? O God, will You restore us? Please grant us Your salvation Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 58:1-9 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’ Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. In today's reading, the Prophet Isaiah challenges us to consider that fasting does not just mean refraining from food and drink but is about how one's behaviour impacts on the lives of others. 'to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free'... This, we hear, is the kind of fasting God prefers. Fasting is connected to liberating the oppressed. How do you feel about this? '...to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house...'. Fasting is also connected to sharing with the hungry and sheltering the homeless. Would you like to reflect on how this could be a reality in your own life? As you listen to the passage again, why not consider how the passage might shape your own approach to fasting. Isaiah 58:1-9 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’ Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. In these closing moments, reflect on the moments in your prayer where you have felt consoled, close to God’s heart of love and light. Reflect too, on the moments where you felt drained, weighed down or far from God’s heart. Speak to God about these moments or anything else that is staying with you... You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Friday 7 March 2025Today is Friday the 7th of March, in the season of Lent. Bifrost Arts sing, ‘O God, Will You Restore Us?’. O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? I will hear what God proclaims The Lord our God proclaims peace Kindness and truth shall meet Justice and peace shall kiss O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? Here is the fast that I choose To loosen the bonds of the oppressed and break their chains Let righteousness and justice go out before you Then You will call out and I will hear O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? Near indeed is His salvation to those who call on Him He will incline His ear and hear their prayers Truth shall spring out of the earth And justice will rain down from heaven O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? The Lord will guide you on a righteous path His vindication will shine down forth as the dawn Your people will be called repairers of broken walls Making straight the path to proclaim His reign O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? O God, will You restore us? Please grant us Your salvation Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 58:1-9 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’ Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. In today's reading, the Prophet Isaiah challenges us to consider that fasting does not just mean refraining from food and drink but is about how one's behaviour impacts on the lives of others. 'to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free'... This, we hear, is the kind of fasting God prefers. Fasting is connected to liberating the oppressed. How do you feel about this? '...to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house...'. Fasting is also connected to sharing with the hungry and sheltering the homeless. Would you like to reflect on how this could be a reality in your own life? As you listen to the passage again, why not consider how the passage might shape your own approach to fasting. Isaiah 58:1-9 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’ Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. In these closing moments, reflect on the moments in your prayer where you have felt consoled, close to God’s heart of love and light. Reflect too, on the moments where you felt drained, weighed down or far from God’s heart. Speak to God about these moments or anything else that is staying with you... You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Thursday 6 March 2025Today is Thursday the 6th of March in the season of Lent. Harpa Dei sing 'Abune dbashmayo'. As we begin our time of prayer today, we are hearing the Our Father sung in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus… How does this speak to you today? You might like to pray an Our Father as you listen. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 9:22-25 [Jesus said], ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’ Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? In today's Gospel, we hear challenging words from Jesus. After speaking about his own future, Jesus addresses all. 'Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily'. What does this mean to you? How do you 'take up your cross' in your own context? ‘But whoever loses his life for my sake will save it'. What does it mean to lose your life for Jesus' sake? How do you make sense of this phrase? Sometimes the words of Jesus are not so easy to grasp. We can grow over time in our appreciation and understanding of them. As you listen to the passage again, perhaps pray for the light to understand what Jesus is saying and how it might speak to you today. Luke 9:22-25 [Jesus said], ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’ Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? As we end this time of prayer, talk with Jesus as one friend to another about anything that is staying with you from your reflection time today. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Thursday 6 March 2025Today is Thursday the 6th of March in the season of Lent.    Harpa Dei sing, Abune dbashmayo. As we begin our time of prayer today, we are hearing the Our Father sung in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus... How does this speak to you today? You might like to pray an Our Father as you listen.   Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.    Luke 9:22-25  [Jesus said], ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’  Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?  In today's Gospel, we hear challenging words from Jesus. After speaking about his own future, Jesus addresses all.       'let him deny himself and take up his cross daily'. What does this mean to you? How do you 'take up your cross' in your own context?       ‘But whoever loses his life for my sake will save it'. What does it mean to lose your life for Jesus' sake? How do you make sense of this phrase?       Sometimes the words of Jesus are not so easy to grasp. We can grow over time in our appreciation and understanding of them. As you listen to the passage again, perhaps pray for the light to understand what Jesus is saying and how it might speak to you today.    Luke 9:22-25  [Jesus said], ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’  Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?  As we end this time of prayer, talk with Jesus as one friend to another about anything that is staying with you from your reflection time today.   You have given all to me   To you, Lord, I return it   Everything is Yours   Do with it what You will   Give me only Your love and Your grace   That is enough for me   Amen 

Wednesday 5 March 2025Today is Wednesday the 5th of March, Ash Wednesday. In today's reading, beginning the season of Lent, we hear the words of the prophet Joel: 'return to me with all your heart'. As you hear the Cape Town Camerata singing Allegri’s ‘Miserere Mei, Deus’ (Have Mercy on Me, God), you might like to consciously and deliberately make the decision to return to God with all your heart today… Today’s reading is from the Prophet Joel. Joel 2:12-18 Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain-offering and a drink-offering for the Lord, your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, “Where is their God?” ’ Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. 'Rend your hearts and not your clothing’. For the prophet, interior conversion of heart seems to be more important than outward displays. How do these words sit with you as you hear them today? In the Bible, the heart is described as the centre of the human person. How would you describe the state of your own heart as the season of Lent begins? What is it that is most occupying or concerning you in your life right now? As you listen to the passage again, notice any words or images that catch your attention. Joel 2:12-18 Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain-offering and a drink-offering for the Lord, your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, “Where is their God?” ’ Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. A simple way of praying is simply to lift up one's heart as it is – whatever preoccupations, concerns or emotions you might be experiencing. Perhaps take some time to do this now as we enter into this season of Lent. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Wednesday 5 March 2025Today is Wednesday the 5th of March, Ash Wednesday.    In today's reading, beginning the season of Lent, we hear the words of the prophet Joel: 'return to me with all your heart'. As you hear the Cape Town Camerata singing Allegri’s ‘Miserere Mei, Deus’ (Have Mercy on Me, God), you might like to consciously and deliberately make the decision to return to God with all your heart today...   Today’s reading is from the Prophet Joel.    Joel 2:12-18 Yet even now, says the Lord, 
   return to me with all your heart, 
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 
   rend your hearts and not your clothing. 
 Return to the Lord, your God, 
   for he is gracious and merciful, 
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, 
   and relents from punishing. 
 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, 
   and leave a blessing behind him, 
a grain-offering and a drink-offering 
   for the Lord, your God?  
    Blow the trumpet in Zion; 
   sanctify a fast; 
call a solemn assembly; 
   gather the people. 
 Sanctify the congregation; 
   assemble the aged; 
gather the children, 
   even infants at the breast. 
 Let the bridegroom leave his room, 
   and the bride her canopy.  
    Between the vestibule and the altar 
   let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. 
 Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, 
   and do not make your heritage a mockery, 
   a byword among the nations. 
 Why should it be said among the peoples, 
   “Where is their God?” ’  
  Then the Lord became jealous for his land, 
   and had pity on his people.  'Rend your hearts and not your clothing’. For the prophet, interior conversion of heart seems to be more important than outward displays. How do these words sit with you as you hear them today?     In the Bible, the heart is described as the centre of the human person. How would you describe the state of your own heart as the season of Lent begins? What is it that is most occupying or concerning you in your life right now?     As you listen to the passage again, notice any words or images that catch your attention.  Joel 2:12-18 Yet even now, says the Lord, 
   return to me with all your heart, 
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 
   rend your hearts and not your clothing. 
 Return to the Lord, your God, 
   for he is gracious and merciful, 
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, 
   and relents from punishing. 
 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, 
   and leave a blessing behind him, 
a grain-offering and a drink-offering 
   for the Lord, your God?  
    Blow the trumpet in Zion; 
   sanctify a fast; 
call a solemn assembly; 
   gather the people. 
 Sanctify the congregation; 
   assemble the aged; 
gather the children, 
   even infants at the breast. 
 Let the bridegroom leave his room, 
   and the bride her canopy.  
    Between the vestibule and the altar 
   let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. 
 Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, 
   and do not make your heritage a mockery, 
   a byword among the nations. 
 Why should it be said among the peoples, 
   “Where is their God?” ’  
  Then the Lord became jealous for his land, 
   and had pity on his people.  A simple way of praying is simply to lift up one's heart as it is – whatever preoccupations, concerns or emotions you might be experiencing. Perhaps take some time to do this now as we enter into this season of Lent.   You have given all to me   To you, Lord, I return it   Everything is Yours   Do with it what You will   Give me only Your love and Your grace   That is enough for me   Amen 

Wednesday 5 March 2025Today is Wednesday the 5th of March, Ash Wednesday. In today's reading, beginning the season of Lent, we hear the words of the prophet Joel: 'return to me with all your heart'. As you hear the Cape Town Camerata singing Allegri’s ‘Miserere Mei, Deus’ (Have Mercy on Me, God), you might like to consciously and deliberately make the decision to return to God with all your heart today... Today’s reading is from the Prophet Joel. Joel 2:12-18 Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain-offering and a drink-offering for the Lord, your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, “Where is their God?” ’ Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. 'Rend your hearts and not your clothing’. For the prophet, interior conversion of heart seems to be more important than outward displays. How do these words sit with you as you hear them today? In the Bible, the heart is described as the centre of the human person. How would you describe the state of your own heart as the season of Lent begins? What is it that is most occupying or concerning you in your life right now? As you listen to the passage again, notice any words or images that catch your attention. Joel 2:12-18 Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain-offering and a drink-offering for the Lord, your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, “Where is their God?” ’ Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. A simple way of praying is simply to lift up one's heart as it is – whatever preoccupations, concerns or emotions you might be experiencing. Perhaps take some time to do this now as we enter into this season of Lent. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Tuesday 4 March 2025Today is Tuesday the 4th of March in the 8th week of Ordinary Time.    The community of Taizé sing Dans nos obscurités: ‘In our darkness, light the fire that never goes out.’    Dans nos obscurités 
 Allume le feu qui ne s'éteint jamais  
Qui ne s'éteint jamais  Jésus Christ 
 Je suis venu apporter le feu  
Sur la Terre  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.    Mark 10:28-31   Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’    In this passage, we hear words of promise for those who follow Jesus and the Gospel: namely, that they will receive a hundredfold now and, in the age to come, eternal life. How do you feel about such a promise? Talk freely to God about this.     Those who follow Jesus are promised '...brothers and sisters, and mothers, and children...' Can you think of people in your own life who have become like family to you? Perhaps take a moment to life them up in prayer now.     As you listen to the passage again, notice if any words or phrases of Jesus particularly touch you.  Mark 10:28-31   Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’    'But many who are last will be first'. These are words which Jesus often utters in the scriptures. What do these words mean to you? Reflect on what they mean in your own life and experience today.  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.