Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Monday 3 March 2025Today is Monday the 3rd of March in the 8th week of Ordinary Time. Josh Garrels sings, ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’. As we begin walking towards the season of Lent, how can you turn your eyes upon Jesus as we begin to pray? Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His Glory and Grace Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 10:17-27 As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ Take a moment to picture the scene of Jesus' encounter with this man. Where do you place yourself? With whom - if anyone - do you identify? 'And Jesus, looking at him, loved him'. Consider how Jesus looks upon this young man whom he encounters. Can you imagine Jesus' expression and feelings towards this young man? In the scene the young man '…went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions'. The young man hears Jesus' command but feels unable to live by it. Is this ever the case for you? As you listen to the passage again, notice the point of hope on which it concludes. Mark 10:17-27 As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ '…for all things are possible with God', says Jesus. What might it be like for you to return to these words at times when it feels challenging to follow the commandments of Jesus? 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.

Today is Sunday 2nd March beginning the 8th week of Ordinary TimeToday is Sunday the 2nd of March, beginning the 8th week of Ordinary Time.    Harpa Dei sing the Creed in Latin: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”   Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.    Luke 6:39-42 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.   How easy it can be for us to judge others. Have you ever felt angry at the fault of others? Can you remember it? What was it about? Was there some weakness in yourself that was at the heart of your anger, or was it “all them”? Have you ever felt judged by someone else? What was that like? How did it feel to you? Listen to the reading again, and to the invitation Jesus makes to us, to look with kind eyes at those around us. Luke 6:39-42 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.   What can you ask of God now, that might help you see yourself and others, the way God does? 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 2 March 2025Today is Sunday the 2nd of March, beginning the 8th week of Ordinary Time.    Harpa Dei sing the Creed in Latin: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”   Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.    Mark 10:13-16    People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.    Much of the gospel is taken up with Jesus’s reactions to the adults he encounters: Pharisees and scribes, tax-collectors and fishermen, centurions and wealthy women. Here, by contrast, he meets with little children. What first strikes you about his reaction to them?    The disciples clearly think that this is a waste of Jesus’s precious time. Do you agree with them? Why, or why not?    As you listen again, ask yourself what it might mean to “receive the kingdom of God as a little child”.    Mark 10:13-16    People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.  Conclude this time of prayer by asking Jesus to bless you, as he blesses the children at the end of this passage.  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 1 March 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen.    Several of our readings this week come from the book of Ecclesiasticus. Its writer offers a kind of “distilled wisdom”, reflecting on what it means to live a good life in a complex society. In our examen this week, you might ask for a wisdom of this kind. Start by asking God to help you bring to mind one situation in which you have behaved wisely this week.    Now notice more fully the way in which God has led you through the last week. Where were you aware of being led by God at the time? Where, perhaps, can you see more clearly God’s guidance now?     As Ecclesiasticus recognises, it is one thing to know what God wants, and another thing to carry out God’s wishes. How have you reacted, in the last few days, to the knowledge of what God wants from you?    Now speak to God for a few moments of what you’ve been noting in this prayer: the highs and lows, the different moments, good and bad.    Finally, look forward to the week ahead. What wisdom will you need from God to live faithfully as a disciple of Christ in the days 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. 

7th week in Ordinary TimeeToday is Friday the 28th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time.    Emoni Wilkins with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘By My Side’. As you listen, call to mind your friendships...  with the Lord....  and with those who walk alongside you on your journey of faith...   Today’s reading is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus.    Ecclesiasticus 6:5-17    Pleasant speech multiplies friends,     and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.  Let those who are friendly with you be many,     but let your advisers be one in a thousand.  When you gain friends, gain them through testing,     and do not trust them hastily.  For there are friends who are such when it suits them,     but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.  And there are friends who change into enemies,     and tell of the quarrel to your disgrace.  And there are friends who sit at your table,     but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.  When you are prosperous, they become your second self,     and lord it over your servants;  but if you are brought low, they turn against you,     and hide themselves from you.  Keep away from your enemies,     and be on guard with your friends.    Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter:     whoever finds one has found a treasure.  Faithful friends are beyond price;     no amount can balance their worth.  Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;     and those who fear the Lord will find them.  Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,     for as they are, so are their neighbours also.    Today the author of Ecclesiasticus turns his thoughts towards friendship. You might begin this time of prayer, then, by thinking of three people who you consider to be your friends. What are they like? What attracts you to them?    Much of this passage concerns enemies and false friends. Perhaps our author has been let down by someone close to him in the past. Is there anything in this that echoes with your own experience?    Despite the caution that Ecclesiasticus shows, the passage ends by placing a high value on friendship. How far does that side of what is said echo your own experience?    In listening to the reading again, note especially the images that Ecclesiasticus uses in describing what good friends are like.  Ecclesiasticus 6:5-17    Pleasant speech multiplies friends,     and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.  Let those who are friendly with you be many,     but let your advisers be one in a thousand.  When you gain friends, gain them through testing,     and do not trust them hastily.  For there are friends who are such when it suits them,     but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.  And there are friends who change into enemies,     and tell of the quarrel to your disgrace.  And there are friends who sit at your table,     but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.  When you are prosperous, they become your second self,     and lord it over your servants;  but if you are brought low, they turn against you,     and hide themselves from you.  Keep away from your enemies,     and be on guard with your friends.    Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter:     whoever finds one has found a treasure.  Faithful friends are beyond price;     no amount can balance their worth.  Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;     and those who fear the Lord will find them.  Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,     for as they are, so are their neighbours also.    You might like to finish this prayer by holding your own friends before God; or by talking to Jesus as a friend about what his friendship means to you.  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 28 February 2025Today is Friday the 28th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time.    Emoni Wilkins with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘By My Side’. As you listen, call to mind your friendships...  with the Lord....  and with those who walk alongside you on your journey of faith...   Today’s reading is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus.    Ecclesiasticus 6:5-17    Pleasant speech multiplies friends,     and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.  Let those who are friendly with you be many,     but let your advisers be one in a thousand.  When you gain friends, gain them through testing,     and do not trust them hastily.  For there are friends who are such when it suits them,     but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.  And there are friends who change into enemies,     and tell of the quarrel to your disgrace.  And there are friends who sit at your table,     but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.  When you are prosperous, they become your second self,     and lord it over your servants;  but if you are brought low, they turn against you,     and hide themselves from you.  Keep away from your enemies,     and be on guard with your friends.    Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter:     whoever finds one has found a treasure.  Faithful friends are beyond price;     no amount can balance their worth.  Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;     and those who fear the Lord will find them.  Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,     for as they are, so are their neighbours also.    Today the author of Ecclesiasticus turns his thoughts towards friendship. You might begin this time of prayer, then, by thinking of three people who you consider to be your friends. What are they like? What attracts you to them?    Much of this passage concerns enemies and false friends. Perhaps our author has been let down by someone close to him in the past. Is there anything in this that echoes with your own experience?    Despite the caution that Ecclesiasticus shows, the passage ends by placing a high value on friendship. How far does that side of what is said echo your own experience?    In listening to the reading again, note especially the images that Ecclesiasticus uses in describing what good friends are like.    Ecclesiasticus 6:5-17    Pleasant speech multiplies friends,     and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.  Let those who are friendly with you be many,     but let your advisers be one in a thousand.  When you gain friends, gain them through testing,     and do not trust them hastily.  For there are friends who are such when it suits them,     but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.  And there are friends who change into enemies,     and tell of the quarrel to your disgrace.  And there are friends who sit at your table,     but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.  When you are prosperous, they become your second self,     and lord it over your servants;  but if you are brought low, they turn against you,     and hide themselves from you.  Keep away from your enemies,     and be on guard with your friends.    Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter:     whoever finds one has found a treasure.  Faithful friends are beyond price;     no amount can balance their worth.  Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;     and those who fear the Lord will find them.  Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,     for as they are, so are their neighbours also.    You might like to finish this prayer by holding your own friends before God; or by talking to Jesus as a friend about what his friendship means to you.  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 27 February 2025Today is Thursday the 27th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Behüte mich, Gott: “Keep me God, for I trust in you. You show me the path of life. With you there is fulness of joy.” Today’s reading is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. Ecclesiasticus 5:1-8 Do not rely on your wealth, or say, ‘I have enough.’ Do not follow your inclination and strength in pursuing the desires of your heart. Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’ for the Lord will surely punish you. Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’ for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. Do not say, ‘His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins’, for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners. Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you, and at the time of punishment you will perish. Do not depend on dishonest wealth, for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity. Many of our societies, at least in the Western world, place a high value on self-reliance. If you have health, strength, and money, you can steer your own way through life without needing anyone’s help. The writer of Ecclesiasticus sees things very differently. What is your first response to his words? The second part of the passage moves beyond a picture of a typical “self-made woman or man”. It focuses on someone aware of their own sinfulness. Here, this person seems to be over-confident on God’s forgiveness, perhaps forgetting God’s justice. Do you find yourself more inclined to fear God’s judgement, or to take his mercy for granted? How do you go about balancing making best use of your own gifts and talents, and relying wholly on God? As the passage is read again, notice the different ways in which the writer thinks that your relationship with God can be disrupted by the ways in which you respond to God. Ecclesiasticus 5:1-8 Do not rely on your wealth, or say, ‘I have enough.’ Do not follow your inclination and strength in pursuing the desires of your heart. Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’ for the Lord will surely punish you. Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’ for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. Do not say, ‘His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins’, for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners. Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you, and at the time of punishment you will perish. Do not depend on dishonest wealth, for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity. Speak, finally, to the merciful God who doesn’t want his mercy taken for granted. What is it that you want to say to him now? 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 27 February 2025Today is Thursday the 27th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Behüte mich, Gott: “Keep me God, for I trust in you. You show me the path of life. With you there is fulness of joy.” Today’s reading is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. Ecclesiasticus 5:1-8 Do not rely on your wealth, or say, ‘I have enough.’ Do not follow your inclination and strength in pursuing the desires of your heart. Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’ for the Lord will surely punish you. Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’ for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. Do not say, ‘His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins’, for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners. Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you, and at the time of punishment you will perish. Do not depend on dishonest wealth, for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity. Many of our societies, at least in the Western world, place a high value on self-reliance. If you have health, strength, and money, you can steer your own way through life without needing anyone’s help. The writer of Ecclesiasticus sees things very differently. What is your first response to his words? The second part of the passage moves beyond a picture of a typical “self-made woman or man”. It focuses on someone aware of their own sinfulness. Here, this person seems to be over-confident on God’s forgiveness, perhaps forgetting God’s justice. Do you find yourself more inclined to fear God’s judgement, or to take his mercy for granted? How do you go about balancing making best use of your own gifts and talents, and relying wholly on God? As the passage is read again, notice the different ways in which the writer thinks that your relationship with God can be disrupted by the ways in which you respond to God. Ecclesiasticus 5:1-8 Do not rely on your wealth, or say, ‘I have enough.’ Do not follow your inclination and strength in pursuing the desires of your heart. Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’ for the Lord will surely punish you. Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’ for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. Do not say, ‘His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins’, for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners. Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you, and at the time of punishment you will perish. Do not depend on dishonest wealth, for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity. Speak, finally, to the merciful God who doesn’t want his mercy taken for granted. What is it that you want to say to him now? 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 27 February 2025Today is Thursday the 27th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Behüte mich, Gott: “Keep me God, for I trust in you. You show me the path of life. With you there is fulness of joy.” Today’s reading is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. Ecclesiasticus 5:1-8 Do not rely on your wealth, or say, ‘I have enough.’ Do not follow your inclination and strength in pursuing the desires of your heart. Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’ for the Lord will surely punish you. Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’ for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. Do not say, ‘His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins’, for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners. Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you, and at the time of punishment you will perish. Do not depend on dishonest wealth, for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity. Many of our societies, at least in the Western world, place a high value on self-reliance. If you have health, strength, and money, you can steer your own way through life without needing anyone’s help. The writer of Ecclesiasticus sees things very differently. What is your first response to his words? The second part of the passage moves beyond a picture of a typical “self-made woman or man”. It focuses on someone aware of their own sinfulness. Here, this person seems to be over-confident on God’s forgiveness, perhaps forgetting God’s justice. Do you find yourself more inclined to fear God’s judgement, or to take his mercy for granted? How do you go about balancing making best use of your own gifts and talents, and relying wholly on God? As the passage is read again, notice the different ways in which the writer thinks that your relationship with God can be disrupted by the ways in which you respond to God. Ecclesiasticus 5:1-8 Do not rely on your wealth, or say, ‘I have enough.’ Do not follow your inclination and strength in pursuing the desires of your heart. Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’ for the Lord will surely punish you. Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’ for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. Do not say, ‘His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins’, for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners. Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you, and at the time of punishment you will perish. Do not depend on dishonest wealth, for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity. Speak, finally, to the merciful God who doesn’t want his mercy taken for granted. What is it that you want to say to him now? 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.

7th week in Ordinary TimeToday is Wednesday the 26th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sing, ‘In Your Truth’. As you listen, notice the ways in which you are trusting in Jesus’ truth in this season… I’ve found hope in one unchanging I’ve found a friend in the great I Am I’ve found peace in the Lord Almighty Perfect love meets me as I am In Your truth I am found In Your arms I am home In Your grace I’m restored In Your love is where I belong I’ve been saved by the King of Kingdoms I’ve found life in the Risen One I’m set free by the Lord of justice Perfect peace tеlls me who I am In Your loving arms I am safe and sеcure In Your loving arms I’m adored Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 9:38-40 John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. At the start of this short passage, it looks as if the disciple John thinks that Jesus’s followers ought to have a monopoly on exorcism. No-one else should be allowed to cast out demons. Why might he think this? Jesus, by contrast, seems content that all sorts of people might be sharing in this work. Why, do you think, does Jesus take the opposite view from John’s? Notice that both John and Jesus are talking about people who cast out demons in the name of Jesus. What difference might this make to the debate? As you listen again, notice why Jesus thinks that this unnamed exorcist should not be stopped. Mark 9:38-40 John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. Finish your prayer by responding to Jesus’s final words here: “Whoever is not against us is for us”. 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.