Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Sunday the 19th of January, beginning the 2nd week of Ordinary Time. The Porter's Gate sing 'Water to Wine'. Consider now the hawks that fly Above the hills, beneath the sky Whose wisdom rings from overhead The earth below is daily bread Consider now the miracle Of rain that falls into the soil And swells the grape upon the vine It's always been water to wine Imagine every buried seed Enshrouded in the furrows deep That breaks itself apart to rise And lift the ground up to the skies Imagine heaven reaching down A gift poured out from heavy clouds Restoring all our withered vines It's always been water to wine Water to wine Water to wine Water to wine Remember Christ the living bread The seed grown high and harvested Who gathers us into the feast Gleaning every fallen seed Remember earth will bloom again And Christ will be our living spring The fountain welling up inside It's always been water to wine Water to wine Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 2:1-11 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. The first of Jesus’ miracles takes place in a setting we may all have experienced. The celebration of a wedding, the coming together of families and friends. A place for the Lord? Not just the religious experience but the joy and frivolity of the celebration? How does this experience speak to you? There is invitation in this passage. Mary, sensitive to the needs of the gathering, invites Jesus to intercede. Do you feel this need in the world around you? Do you invite the intercession of the Lord into even the simple needs of the day? Do you take time to acknowledge the Lord’s generosity when you experience it? As you listen to the passage again, be aware of any words or images that inspire you. We may find that such images as those in today’s passage in Scripture are too wonderful, too miraculous. Can you imagine that the Lord would do as much for you? Gather up your thoughts and feelings and bring them to God in prayer. 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.

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. As you look back over this week of prayer, what really stands out for you? Did you at all feel the presence of God in your prayer this week? Was there one particular scripture passage or verse that really spoke to you this week? What do you think it might be saying to you now? Was there a point when you really experienced a lightness of heart, and felt that God was there? Was there a moment when you had no sense at all of the presence of God? Why do you think that might have been? What do you think God is saying to you today in your prayer? How are you going to respond? 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 Friday the 17th of January, the feast of Saint Anthony, in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘It Is Well With My Soul’. Take a moment to recognise the presence of Jesus as you begin to pray today… Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part but the whole Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! It is well with my soul Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 2:1-12 When [Jesus] returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ The people were “bringing to him a paralysed man”. Imagine you are one of the people bringing this man to Jesus… imagine the moment… feel the weight of the man you are helping to carry… take in the details… “they removed the roof above him”. Imagine this task too… what is the roof like? How easy or difficult is it to remove? What do you see beneath you once you break through? You hear Jesus say to the man: “stand up, take up your mat, and go to your home”. Were you expecting this? How did Jesus sound when he said it? Is this what you hoped for? Now listen once more as the passage is read again. Does anything really strike you this time? “They were all amazed and glorified God”. How would you like to speak to Jesus as this prayer time ends? 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 Thursday the 16th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 146: “It is good to sing in honour of our God - sweet is his praise. The Lord, Restorer of Jerusalem! He brought back Israel's exiles, healing their broken hearts, and binding up their wounds.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 1:40-45 A leper came to [Jesus] begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. We know that in that culture, leprosy was seen as a terrible threat and those who suffered from it were supposed to keep well away from the rest of humanity. What is Jesus’ attitude to the leper in the story that you have just heard? How does this speak to you? “Say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest”. Why do you think the man couldn’t stay quiet? Now listen as the story is read to you once more. What really strikes you about it this time? “People came to him from every quarter”. In these final moments, imagine yourself as one of these people… what is it you would seek from Jesus today? Talk to him about this 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.

Today is Wednesday the 15th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. The Community of Taizé sing Misericordias Domini. ‘I will sing forever of the mercy of God.’ Today’s reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. Hebrews 2:14-18 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. “[Jesus] had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect”. What does this mean to you? How often do you reflect on Jesus as a “merciful and faithful high priest”? You might like to take a moment to do this now… Now listen as the passage is read once more. is there a word or a phrase that really speaks to you? “Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” With these words in mind, you might like to bring to Jesus a situation in your own life, or perhaps that of someone else who is suffering and being tested, and ask our merciful and high priest for help 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.

Today is Tuesday the 14th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. The Good Shepherd Collective sings, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’. Can you make these words your own today? Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty Early in the morning Our song shall rise to Thee Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea. Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before thee, Who was and is and evermore shall be. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see Only Thou art holy There is none beside Thee Perfect in power, in love and purity Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty All Thy works shall praise Thy name In earth and sky and sea Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity Oh God in three persons Blessed Trinity! Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 1:21-28 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, [Jesus] entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. Begin today by placing yourself in the scene… you might like to be someone in the synagogue, hearing Jesus for the first time… what does Jesus’ ‘authority’ sound like to you? As you hear the unclean spirit call Jesus, “the Holy One of God”, notice how you feel… what stirs in you? Now listen as the passage is read a second time for you. Does anything stand out for you this time? Hear someone say, ‘A new teaching—with authority!’ How have you experienced this “new teaching” and “authority” as you’ve been with Jesus in this prayer time? Speak with him now about anything that has arisen for you during this session… 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 Monday the 13th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short, sing 'Joyful Light' from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. “Joyful light of the holy glory of the immortal one.” As I look around me now, can I sense that light, that holy presence here, and invite God’s joyful light into my life? Svete tikhyi svyatyya slavy, Bezsmertnago, Otsa Nebesnago, Svyatago Blazhennago, Iisuse Khriste! Prishedshe na zapad solntsa, videvshe svet vechernii, poyem Otsa, Syna i Svyatago Dukha, Boga! Dostoin esi vo vsya vremena pet byti glasi prepodobnymi, Syne Bozhii, zhivot dayai, temzhe mir Tya slavit. Gladsome light of the holy glory of the Immortal One, the Heavenly Father, holy and blessed, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening, we praise the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God. Thou art worthy at every moment to be praised in hymns by reverent voices. O Son of God, thou art the giver of life; therefore all the world glorifies thee. Today’s reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. Hebrews 1:1-4 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. People tend to panic a bit when they have the Letter to the Hebrews read to them; it can seem rather heavy theology (as indeed it is). But what this extraordinary document is trying to do is to reflect upon the difficult issue of how to talk about Jesus. The Letter begins by reminding us that is God speaking to us “through a Son”. Take this moment to reflect on what this means to you… What do you think the author means by “the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being”? Pause with these words and savour what stays with you… “He sustains all things by his powerful word.” How do these words help form your picture of Jesus? Now listen as the passage is read again. What really strikes you about the way that he understands Jesus? From all you have prayed with today, what would you like to say to God? 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 the 12th of January, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Maximilian sings, ‘Jordan’s Waters’. You laid aside Your glory on the banks of the Jordan And all for me You went down to the depths You traded Heaven's borders for the chill of murky waters And took the place of one condemned to death That day John preached for man to draw near But God it's You that came down here Making shorter Man's road to You In Jordan's waters I'm being made new As You plunged into the deep in search of muddy pearls Son of Man, You left behind Your robe There You found me in the dark and as You rose out of the mire This prodigal came up dressed in gold When You rose out of that pale grave into a hot Judean sun With a violence the heavens did divide Father You came running, and You wrapped me in Your voice Shouting "this son of mine was dead but now's alive!" Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. We will only hear today’s passage once through, and we will spend our time reflecting imaginatively on all that happens… Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ Place yourself in this scene. Feel the sensations of the air, earth, water and sky all around you. The air with all its aromas… the water sparkling, dancing, or flat calm. The sunlight dappled, or direct and strong. The sky colour, perhaps a vivid blue or a darkening grey. Sunrise or sunset. Take it all in. Breathe in the air deeply. Bend down and feel the water temperature. Cool, warm, bitingly cold? Bring the water to your lips to taste. See John and hear what he has to say. Try and get the measure of the man. How does he look? How does he sound? What do you think of him? “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” What’s your reaction to John’s words? Watch as Jesus Himself approaches. What do you notice about him? Watch as Jesus enters the water, how John receives him. Notice the sounds. Witness the baptism of Jesus. His descending into the water and emerging. Watch as the dove approaches. Gently? With a great flapping of wings? Hear the tone of the voice from heaven: ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased’. Feel the weight of the scene. You know how the story unfolds: the uncertainties, the terrors, the trials, the temptations, the tears, before any triumph can take place. Speak with the Lord Jesus as he brings his own prayer to an end, one of many, many prayers to His Father in heaven. Tell him what you’d love to know, tell him what you long for. 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.

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Find a large chair, if possible one with arms. Sit down, deliberately, in the chair. Place your arms on the arms of the chair. Just let them rest there. Feel the chair holding the weight of your body. Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply. Be still. Sit with the sensation of being held by the chair. In your imagination let the chair become a very special chair, perhaps even a throne. Are your feet planted on the ground, or are they dangling, as a child’s? Enjoy that sensation of being rooted, or being free. Allow your face and your heart to be lifted up to the Lord. Open and expectant. As a child’s. A child of God. Now become aware of many other thrones around you. All children of God. Thank God for all His children. Remember the promise: “To all who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) Thank God for this invitation, this right, this gift, to be God's child. Ask God to breathe the loving Holy Spirit on the year ahead. Ask to be a child who is loving and giving in the year ahead. Sit for a while. Then, gently and slowly, stand up. Bow your head for a moment before God, before the throne of grace. Then quietly, respectfully, take your leave. 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 Friday the 10th of January in the season of Christmas. One Hope Project sings, ‘My Soul Rests’. Take a moment to become aware of Jesus’ presence with you now… 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 Gospel of Luke. Luke 5:12-16 Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. ‘Go’, he said, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’ But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray. Picture the scene. Leprosy: highly contagious, damaging, disfiguring. What do you notice about how Jesus responds physically to the man with leprosy. What does that tell you about Jesus? How does Jesus respond verbally to the man’s request? He echoes the man’s words. How does it make you feel when someone who is listening to you echoes your very words? It’s a good listening technique. It inspires confidence, it’s reassuring, it’s even empowering. Might that be your prayer experience? Might Jesus be echoing your very words when you pray? Listen to the passage again and simply embrace whatever comes to the surface. Speak to God about whatever is on your heart. You might ask for a conversation to take place. There might be a word or a phrase from today’s passage that you want to echo in your prayer. 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.