Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Sunday 5 October 2025Today is Sunday the 5th of October, beginning the 27th week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘Christ Abides’. Can you make the words of this song your own today? In the crowded thoughts, You are an open space And I hear Your voice, calling me to come away Where the eagles fly, You're raising me high with You To heavenly places, heavenly places I have the mind of Christ My portion is His perfect peace For Christ abides with me I'll seek You, Lord, and here in Your shadow hide I won't dread the day, nor fear the terror of the night Though thousands fall, I've been seated all along In heavenly places, in heavenly places I'm with you in heavenly places, in heavenly places I have the mind of Christ My portion is His perfect peace For Christ abides with me He's closer than a friend He takes the weary by the hand And says, "Come abide with me" "Come abide with me For my yoke is easy and my burden light I will raise you up like an eagle into flight You will not grow weary nor will you be faint In your every weakness, I will be your strength" I have the mind of Christ My portion is His perfect peace For Christ abides with me He's closer than a friend He takes the weary by the hand And says, "Come abide with me" Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. Today’s reading portrays St. Paul talking to his disciple Timothy and the faith community under his leadership. He speaks of how the gifts of the Spirit can be handed on from one generation of believers to another. What gifts have you received from those who went before you? Paul is presented as relying on the power of God’s Spirit living within him. Do you have a sense of the power of God’s Spirit within you? How would you describe that within your lived experience? As you listen once more to these words about reliance on divine power, and on the ‘good treasure’ of sound teaching, take time to reflect on what these treasures have brought to your life and that of your faith community. 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. The author talks about cowardice and shame, contrasting them with trust in God even when suffering for the Gospel. What do you want to say to Jesus in response to these words? 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 4 October 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. During this week we have heard scriptural passages of warning and of judgement, but they’re not to be heard as threats but rather as invitations to take our discipleship seriously. The Book of the Apocalypse speaks of a war in heaven between God’s angels and those of Satan. It has familiar resonances with the Two Standards meditation of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. We are invited on a daily basis to make choices for Christ and his Kingdom. This affects our life both in a broad sense and in every small option and choice we make regarding our response to God’s initiatives in our lives and how we behave towards one another. Satan is named as ‘the deceiver of the whole world’. God’s grace invites us daily to discern between truth and deception in matters both great and small. Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship and also of how disciples are to live in imitation of his own mercy to others, even those hostile to him. Have you experienced the cost of discipleship in the choices that you have made in your own life? Jesus offers us a little child as the model for discipleship. How does this speak to you in the context of your own life as a follower of Christ? What would ‘being like a little child’ be like for you? We have other role models in the lives of this week’s saints: Thérèse of Lisieux advocated the ‘Little Way’, taking seriously the apparently trivial and unimportant elements of daily life as a way to become aware of the God-given gift of each moment. Take some time now to think about such moments in your day today and during the week. Francis of Assisi saw all creation as praising God. How does his teaching help you to become more aware of the God who is alive in all of creation? The letter to Timothy reminds us that self-discipline is a gift from God. We are reassured that the Holy Spirit lives in us and that we can rely on God’s power, shining through our human weakness. As we end this examen, what gifts do you want to ask of God and what do you want to say in thanksgiving? 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 3 October 2025Today is Friday the 3rd of October, the feast of Saint Francis Borgia SJ, in the 26th week of Ordinary Time. The University of Johannesburg Choir sing the Kyrie from Missa De Meridiana Terra: Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy. These imploring words, which have been sung for centuries, are a reminder of the inexhaustible mercy of God, of God’s unfailing compassion and forgiveness. As I listen, I might think for a moment about my need for that forgiveness, and the need, too, for me to show that same forgiveness to others. Kyrie eleison Christe eleison Today’s reading is from the Book of Baruch. Baruch 1:15-22 And you shall say: The Lord our God is in the right, but there is open shame on us today, on the people of Judah, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on our kings, our rulers, our priests, our prophets, and our ancestors, because we have sinned before the Lord. We have disobeyed him, and have not heeded the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in the statutes of the Lord that he set before us. From the time when the Lord brought our ancestors out of the land of Egypt until today, we have been disobedient to the Lord our God, and we have been negligent, in not heeding his voice. So to this day there have clung to us the calamities and the curse that the Lord declared through his servant Moses at the time when he brought our ancestors out of the land of Egypt to give to us a land flowing with milk and honey. We did not listen to the voice of the Lord our God in all the words of the prophets whom he sent to us, but all of us followed the intent of our own wicked hearts by serving other gods and doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord our God. At the time of the exile of the Jews in Babylon, the exiles lament their misfortune, blaming their own disobedience and idolatry. It’s an honest assessment of their own lack of fidelity. How easy or challenging do you find it to admit your own mistakes? In his Spiritual Exercises, St Ignatius encourages us to make an honest confession of our sins, not so as to wallow in guilt but so as to experience and give thanks for God’s mercy and amazing grace. How do you see that mercy at work in your own life? Listening again to this challenging reading, notice what words strike you and how you want to respond to them. Baruch 1:15-22 And you shall say: The Lord our God is in the right, but there is open shame on us today, on the people of Judah, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on our kings, our rulers, our priests, our prophets, and our ancestors, because we have sinned before the Lord. We have disobeyed him, and have not heeded the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in the statutes of the Lord that he set before us. From the time when the Lord brought our ancestors out of the land of Egypt until today, we have been disobedient to the Lord our God, and we have been negligent, in not heeding his voice. So to this day there have clung to us the calamities and the curse that the Lord declared through his servant Moses at the time when he brought our ancestors out of the land of Egypt to give to us a land flowing with milk and honey. We did not listen to the voice of the Lord our God in all the words of the prophets whom he sent to us, but all of us followed the intent of our own wicked hearts by serving other gods and doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord our God. The faithlessness and negligence of God’s chosen people is contrasted with God’s wisdom and guidance. Take time to share with our faithful God 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

Thursday 2 October 2025Today is Thursday the 2nd of October, the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, in the 26th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘Who is Greatest?’ Who is greatest in the kingdom? The kingdom of heaven Who would you say? Not the rich and not the strong Not the brilliant, but the small Lowly ones will be made first To inherit the universe So become like children And you will be the greatest In the kingdom of heaven So don't despise any small ones I tell you, their prayers always reach God Just like oak trees in a field They’ll stand tall when all is healed Lowly ones will be made first To inherit the universe So become like children And you will be the greatest In the kingdom of heaven Don't be afraid Don't be afraid I’m with you 'til the end of the age Lowly ones will be made first To inherit the universe So become like children And you will be the greatest In the kingdom of heaven Who, then, is greatest in the kingdom? The kingdom of heaven Who would you say? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 18:1-5, 10 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.’ Jesus shows his disciples many times that his criteria for judgement are not the same as theirs. He chooses a child as the model for discipleship, not to infantilize his followers but to encourage them to value humility as God does. How does this scene speak to you? Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels, a feast deriving from the Hebrew scriptures to which Jesus refers here. That belief stresses God’s protective love for and interest in every human individual. How do you experience God’s loving care in your life? As we hear the reading again, listen for whatever stays with you, taking time to notice the what and the why of that emphasis. Matthew 18:1-5, 10 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.’ Jesus speaks of God’s loving care for each of his little ones. That includes us. Take time to speak to the God whose care surrounds you. What do you want to ask or say to God right 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

Wednesday 1 October 2025Today is Wednesday the 1st of October, the feast of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, in the 26th week of Ordinary Time. 'Saviour of my soul, this day keep me whole.' Can you join in this prayer, as you listen? Can you present yourself now to the One who forgives all our failings and shortcomings, who has given himself freely for our sake, and trust yourself entirely to his mercy? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 9:57-62 As they were going along the road, someone said to [Jesus], ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ It’s easy to make promises to God in the first flush of enthusiasm, but harder to live by the promises we have made. Jesus’ words are challenging as he calls his would-be followers to real commitment. How do you respond to his words? Like St Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercises, Jesus talks about freedom from disordered attachments, whether to place, people or tradition. Is there any aspect of your life where you feel the need to grow in freedom? As the reading is repeated, listen out for whatever strikes you, asking for whatever grace it is that you feel you need in response to it. Luke 9:57-62 As they were going along the road, someone said to [Jesus], ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ Take some time now to speak from your heart to God, expressing whatever thoughts, feelings and desires arise in you at this time. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Tuesday 30 September 2025Today is Tuesday the 30th of September, the feast of Saint Jerome, in the 26th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach and Liz Vice sing, ‘I Want Jesus to Walk with Me’. I want Jesus to walk with me. I want Jesus to walk with me. All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. In my trials, Lord, walk with me. In my trials, Lord, walk with me. When the shades of life are falling Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. In my sorrows, Lord, walk with me In my sorrows, Lord, walk with me When my heart within is aching Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me I want Jesus to walk with me. I want Jesus to walk with me. All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 9:51-56 When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. Jesus ‘sets his face to go to Jerusalem’. He is determined to go, yet we get a hint of what his resolution costs him. If you were accompanying him on the road, what would you want to say to him? Jesus rebukes the Sons of Thunder when they want to punish those who don’t accept him. How do you feel about those who reject or ignore Jesus? Is there any part of you that sometimes rejects or ignores him within your own life? Now we hear the reading repeated. Notice what thoughts and feelings strike you and why. We know what Jesus will have to face for our sake once he gets to Jerusalem. How do you find yourself responding to this scene? Luke 9:51-56 When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. The Samaritans are only a few among the many who are hostile towards Jesus and reject his ministry. It’s easy to sit in judgement on them and on those who condemned Jesus to death, but what do you find yourself wanting to say to him within your own heart at this time? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Monday 29 September 2025Today is Monday the 29th of September, the feasts of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels, in the 26th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing, Encore un peu de temps: “In a little while I will make heaven and earth tremble. Then the One desired by all nations will appear. I will fill this temple with glory and to this place I will bring peace.” Today’s reading is from the Book of the Apocalypse. Apocalypse 12:7-12 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death. Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!’ Apocalyptic language always sounds very dramatic. We may not be living through great inner dramas, but most of us carry an inner accuser around in our heads. What thoughts and feelings come to you when you hear of God’s victory over Satan? There is both triumph and warning in this passage. We are told that there is no longer any place for Satan and his angels in heaven, but we are also warned that this means that ‘the devil has come down to earth with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short’. What do these images mean to you in reality? As the reading is repeated, notice where your thoughts and feelings are taking you with respect to its message. Apocalypse 12:7-12 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death. Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!’ You may not feel entirely comfortable with this apocalyptic language of celestial battles among angels and demons, but we often talk about fighting our inner demons. In light of this passage, what do you want to say to or ask of 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

Sunday 28 September 2025Today is Sunday the 28th of September, Harvest Sunday, beginning the 26th week of Ordinary Time. Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Dulce Jesus mio. “My sweet Jesus, look with mercy on my soul.” This is not the prayer of someone proud or haughty or self-satisfied, but of a person aware that they have weaknesses and shortcomings, aware that they cannot do without the help and the love and the mercy of God. Yya1 Jesuchrixhto, apuk1rui ityaku niyausus1p1 ninait1 sobi. Dulce Jesús mío, mirad con piedad mi alma perdida por culpa mortal. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. 1 Timothy 6:11-16 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen. One of the words in the list of qualities that a man or woman of God should aspire to is ‘gentleness’. What does the word gentleness evoke for you? Jesus said that he was gentle and humble in heart. It’s the same Greek word that’s used here. That word here also implies consideration, meekness, humility, calm and a kind of gentle strength. It’s not about weakness then, in spite of how some of those words are today understood. There is a power that can be expressed kindly, gently, calmly. Where do you see this power in Jesus? What would it be like if all leaders had more of this quality? What if everyone who posted on social media aspired to this gentleness? And you: where might you practise this kind of gentleness? Jesus who dwells in unapproachable light is also the one who says, “Come to me... learn from me... for I am gentle and humble in heart.” We listen again to the letter to Timothy. If you feel lacking in any of the qualities mentioned, just notice that for now, gently. 1 Timothy 6:11-16 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen. Jesus invites us to learn from him by coming to him. So, this isn’t about us straining to be gentler (which might be counterproductive anyway). He will teach us this gentleness if we come to him. Spend a bit of time now with the gentle Jesus who confronted the Empire of Rome... 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 27 September 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. The reading from Thursday just gone gives us a structure for an examen. In that reading, the prophet Haggai is challenging those in Jerusalem to get on with the job of rebuilding the Temple. This restoration is a symbol of putting God first in their lives. We use the prophet’s images in this examen. Where in your life are you building the Lord’s house? Where are you sowing good seed in good soil? Where can you rejoice at the harvest? Talk with God about all of this... Where do you put off building the Lord’s house? What seeds that you plant bring weeds to the garden? Where do you feel sad at a lack of fruitfulness? Share this with God... In Thursday’s reading we hear: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider how you have fared. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honoured’, says the Lord.” In the coming week, how might you gather wood for building? Ask God for the grace to gather... 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 26 September 2025Today is Friday the 26th of September, in the 25th week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘Poor in Spirit’. How does this song speak to you today? You are the fullness, the fullness of God You are the firstborn among all creation The air that I'm breathing, You're keeping me alive The goodness around me, You're the glory of my life I know I am poor in spirit Trying to to live without You, Jesus I know I am poor in spirit I can't live without You You are the beauty in every living thing The fragrance of wildflowers and the colour of the sea So Christ, would you meet me in my poverty I am not ashamed To say I need you Lord Jesus they will have You Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 9:18-22 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’ He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, ‘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.’ If Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one of God, then neither Caesar, nor Herod, nor the Chief Priests are. If Jesus is, then they are not. If Jesus is proclaiming one God whose kingdom is justice, peace and compassion, then the emperor is not a god, and Rome’s oppressive kingdom is illegitimate. Do you sense the political implications of calling Jesus the Christ? Rome didn’t crucify ‘nice guys.’ It crucified political revolutionaries. If they were nonviolent, perhaps they were an even greater threat to Rome. Have we lost the political significance of what it means to call Jesus the Christ and to really follow him? Have we reduced Christianity to a safe religion that has no critique of violence, or misuse of wealth, or oppressive power? Jesus asks you: “Who do you say that I am?” How do you answer? As Jesus explains the significance of being the Christ, can you sense the atmosphere amongst the disciples? Luke 9:18-22 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’ He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, ‘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.’ Jesus is killed, and Jesus rises again. His person and message are vindicated by God. How is the risen Jesus inviting you to follow him in your time and place? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen