Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Monday the 30th of December in the season of Christmas. One Hope Project sings ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall: with the poor, and meek, and lowly, lived on earth our Saviour holy. And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love; for that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heav'n above, and He leads His children on to the place where He is gone. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, we shall see Him, but in heaven, set at God’s right hand on high; when like stars His children crowned all in white shall wait around. Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John. 1 John 2:12-17 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.  John starts this part of his letter by praising the strengths of the people he is writing to. He tells them that that is why he has chosen to write to them. Hear him say to you, now: “I am writing to you, because …” How does that sentence finish? John goes on to be very critical of what he calls “the world”. Is this how you see the world where you live? If so, why? If not, why not? “Those who do the will of God live for ever”, John concludes. Take a quiet moment or two to let that promise sink in. As the passage is read again, notice all the strengths of his various readers that John lists. Which of those do you share? Finish by speaking to the Father, or to Jesus, about what you have noticed in this time of 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.

Today is Sunday the 29th of December, the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Josh Garrels sings. ‘What Child is This?’ What question might you like to ask the child Jesus today, as we prepare to hear a story from his childhood? What Child is this who laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? Why lay He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians fear for sinners here The silent word is pleading This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing Haste, haste to bring Him laud The Babe, the Son of Mary So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh Come peasant king to own Him The King of kings salvation brings Let loving hearts enthrone Him Nails, spears shall pierce Him through The cross he bore for me, for you Hail, hail the Word made flesh The Babe, the Son of Mary The Babe, the Son of Mary Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 2:41-52 Now every year [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’ He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour. Even Mary and Joseph had trouble with their adolescent son! This kind of family conflict is familiar territory to many people. What we see is Jesus and his parents exploring the boundaries of freedom. This is how God invites us to grow in relationship with our Creator and with one another. How does that exploration feel for you? Jesus says he ‘must be in the Father’s house’. Elsewhere he promises that in the Father’s house there are many rooms. How at home do you feel in the Father’s house? How at home are others? As we hear the reading a second time, listen out for whatever touches your heart and your imagination. Where is God leading you through this reading? Is there someone in this story that you want to talk to? Mary, Joseph or Jesus himself? What do you want to say as you respond to the story of the finding of Jesus in the temple? 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. This week we have celebrated feasts of birth and death: Christmas Day, the martyrdom of Stephen, the feast of the Beloved Disciple, and today the massacre of the Holy Innocents. Our readings have brought us face to face with the brightest light and the deepest darkness. Elizabeth and Zechariah have aged beyond any hope of bearing a child – Mary and Joseph have their own challenges in that respect, yet God makes both couples fruitful. When we ponder the words of Scripture with care, it is not we who interrogate Scripture, but Scripture which interrogates and challenges us. Have you had any sense during this week of the Christmas readings interrogating you? St. Irenaeus wrote that ‘the glory of God is a human being fully alive, and human life consists in beholding God’. As the angels proclaim God’s glory to the world in God’s incarnate Son, what do you find the birth of Jesus meaning in your life and the life of the world? This week has also given us feasts about death: we’ve heard about the death of Jesus himself, the death of Stephen, the first to die willingly for his faith in Jesus. Today we remember the story of the massacre of the Holy Innocents, babies and children who, like so many today, die as collateral damage in the murderous conflicts raging about them. What needs to die in you or in the world for Christ’s reign to come to birth? What do you find yourself asking God to bring to life within you and the world? Our week ends with the reading of the finding of young Jesus in the Temple. Losing a child is every parent’s dread. Do you have any sense of having ‘lost’ God, or lost your way in any sense? Or perhaps you have a sense of having been found? If you have any memory of having been lost or found, what do you want to say to God about that? Jesus tells his parents that he must be ‘in his Father’s house’. How at home do you feel with God? Is there any way that you would like to feel more at home? Now is the time to speak to God about that. 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 27th of December, the feast of Saint John, in the 4th week of Advent. The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra, directed by Harry Christophers, sing, “For unto us a child is born” from Handel’s Messiah. As you listen, can you enter into the joy? For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 20:1-8 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed. In this week of Christmas, we hear a story from Easter! John, the beloved disciple, sees the promises of Christ fulfilled at the very moment when all seems lost. Where do you find yourself between hope and darkness as you hear this reading? This is a story of discovery, but also of bewilderment. God is not behaving as expected. Is there anything about God’s ways in your life that bewilders you? What do you want to say to God about that? Listen to the reading once again. What part of it touches you in a special way? Notice what it is and see where it takes you in prayer. This is the very beginning of the shining of Easter light. At Christmas we celebrate the light shining in the darkness that nothing can overcome. Take time now to speak from your heart to Jesus, the light of the world. 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 26th of December, the feast of Saint Stephen, in the 4th week of Advent. The Brilliance sings, ‘I Heard the Bells’. I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The hate shall fail, The love prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men." Today’s reading is from the Book of Acts. Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ The day after we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we remember the death of Stephen. The incarnation offers both promise and threat. What have you experienced as threat or promise in the coming of Christ? This is a scene of ultimate violence, yet Stephen dies seeing Jesus ‘standing at the right hand of God’. What does it mean for your life to hear that claim? How do you want to speak to the Jesus of glory before such a scene? In the repetition of the reading, notice what stays with you, both in words and in images. Where does this take you in prayer? Stephen hands over his life to Jesus as gift rather than as loss. What does this meditation on the death of the first Christian martyr say to you about your life? Take time to speak to God about what is in your heart. 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 25th of December, Christmas Day. The team at Pray As You Go would like to wish you a very happy Christmas! The University of Johannesburg Choir sings, ‘My Lord Has Come’, by Will Todd. You might like to make these words your own as you begin to celebrate this Christmas Day. Shepherds, called by angels, called by love and angels: No place for them but a stable. My Lord has come. Sages, searching for stars, searching for love in heaven; No place for them but a stable. My Lord has come. His love will hold me, his love will cherish me, love will cradle me. Lead me, lead me to see him, sages and shepherds and angels; No place for me but a stable. My Lord has come. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 2:1-14 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ On this Christmas day we rejoice with the angels and shepherds at the birth of Jesus. He is God-with-us. How do you feel God is with you and with our world today? The angels proclaim glory to God. What does God’s glory feel like to you? Take some time to sense God’s glory around you and within you on this day of rejoicing. As the reading is repeated, we are with Mary and Joseph in their vulnerability and their amazement. Jesus is born as the God of surprises. What would you like God to surprise you with this Christmas? The shepherds heard God’s message as they were keeping watch. What is alerting you to God’s living presence at this time? Take time to speak to God about this in any way that draws you. As we end today’s reflection, Eliza King sings, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels! O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above! Glory to God, glory in the highest! O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! We'll praise his name forever, Christ, the Lord Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! 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 24th of December in the 4th week of Advent. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Silent Night'. As you begin to pray on this Christmas Eve, you might like to use this song to enter into the “thrill of hope” that Jesus brings us through his birth… how might it be speaking to you in a fresh way this year? Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:67-79 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Zechariah praises God for remembering and fulfilling the promises made to them. How do you feel about God’s promises? Are you able to find hope that they are being fulfilled? Zechariah speaks of enemies and those who hate God’s people. What have you experienced as ‘enemies’ of God’s promises, outside and within yourself? Have you experienced any ‘rescue’ from them? Listen out, as the reading is repeated, for any words that strike you. Where do those words or images take you in your response to God? Whether you are ‘sitting in darkness’ or ‘in the way of peace’, take time now to speak from your heart to the God who guides us in darkness and in light. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus

Today is Monday the 23rd of December in the 4th week of Advent. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing the Benedictus, the Song of Zechariah, words we will hear in today’s reading: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us… Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:57-66 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. We can imagine the scene, in a tight-knit community. The priest’s wife, childless for years, beyond all hope gives birth to a son. The excitement and gossip must have been at fever pitch. Has God ever fulfilled your hopes in an unexpected way, or made you ponder and question? Zechariah’s silence becomes praise. It was his doubt that reduced him to silence. Gratitude and wonder give him voice. What words of gratitude, wonder or questioning do you want to speak to God at this time? As we listen again to the reading, what words or ideas strike you specially? Do you feel prompted to any particular response or reaction? John the Baptist prompted his hearers to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’. Take time now to speak to God from your heart as you prepare for the fulfilment of God’s promise. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus

Today is Sunday the 22nd of December, beginning the 4th week of Advent. The Brilliance sings, ‘Oh Gracious Light’: ‘Dayspring of life To light from light Pour into every broken heart Peace and virtue binded by the light’ (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:39-45 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ In this passage we witness the story of the Visitation, where Mary, newly pregnant with Jesus, visits her cousin Elizabeth. This passage is rich with themes of joy, faith, and the mystery of God’s hand in our life. How might this scene inform your own Advent journey? As Mary travels with faith and trust, what does it mean to trust in God's promise, even, especially, if the road ahead is unknown? “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" In this moment, we are invited to recognise and rejoice, just as Elizabeth did. Where is God moving in your life, perhaps in hidden or unexpected ways? Mary’s visitation is not just a visit—it is an act of love and service. We see that Mary seeks to support her cousin Elizabeth. Perhaps she embodies a spirit of service during this season of Advent? Reflect on a time when you have acted as Mary, attending to another’s need, or, like Elizabeth, received the unexpected care of another. As you listen to the passage again, reflect on the fact that, during Advent, we are invited to consider our own faith. Do we trust in God’s promises, even when we cannot see how they will unfold? “Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfil what he had spoken to her.” Mary’s profound faith in God’s promise is a model for our own. In a time of prayer, listen deeply to the movements of the Spirit in your life and ask for the gift to respond generously to God’s call. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. On Saturdays, we like to spend our prayer time a little differently to the rest of the week. This is a moment to take some space to reflect on the encounters we’ve had with God throughout the week. Don’t worry if you haven’t prayed with us every day (or any day!). It’s only about seeing where God has been for you. This week, we have heard of some wonderful encounters of Advent and a constant invitation to trust, hope and patience. Maybe this could be the focus of our Examen today? Take a few moments today to see the past week with the Lord’s guidance. Prepare yourself for prayer by focussing on your breath…take a deep breath in…and then a few releasing breaths out. Notice how the change in breath brings stillness and an awareness of God’s presence. We might begin by asking for the faithful attention and trust that also weaves throughout the scripture for this week. Cast your mind back over the week… where have you experienced this need of the Lord, a call to witness, a generosity of Spirit? Is there a particular moment God is drawing you to remember? Notice what rises to the surface naturally… allow the moment to reveal itself … Do you notice any challenges, lack of understanding or frustration? Allow these moments to be witnessed… Where, in the prayer journey of the week, have you found an opening of the heart? Where have you been challenged? Has there been something calling you to action this week? Again, notice what arises naturally… Looking forward, as Advent leads us on, end with a prayer of thanksgiving, asking for God's grace and guidance to carry the insights gained into each day. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus