Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Friday the 1st of November, the feast of All Saints, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. The choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by James O’Donnell, sing O quam gloriosum by Victoria: ‘How glorious is the kingdom, where all the saints rejoice with Christ.’ O quam gloriosum est regnum, in quo cum Christo gaudent omnes Sancti! Amicti stolis albis, sequuntur Agnum, quocumque ierit. O how glorious is the kingdom in which all the saints rejoice with Christ, clad in robes of white they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Today is All Saints’ Day, when we remember all the saints recognised by the Church and those who are not known. Our reading may help us to remember these before God as we pray. As each of the beatitudes are read again, which saints come to mind, for you? These may be the recognised saints of the Church, or perhaps people you know or have known. Let them come to mind as you listen. Blessed are the poor in spirit Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are those who hunger or thirst for righteousness. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the pure in heart. Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Take time to thank the Lord for the saints you’ve recalled, and for their example of love and faith. Can you also recognise yourself in the reading today among those who are blessed? As you come to the end of this time of prayer, ask the Lord to bless you, as one of the saints who lives for God 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 Thursday the 31st of October, the feast of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. Christy Nockels sings, ‘Head to Toe’. As you listen, become aware of God’s protection over you today… Little one, be strong In the power in the Lord And let the keeper of the stars keep Your heart forevermore Even though you might be small It is in you, His kingdom reigns And from your mouth, the Lord has made A fountain for His praise And with His righteousness, across your chest Salvation for your head The belt of truth, around you now With the shield of faith in hand And with His peace, upon your feet Everywhere you go His word will be the sword you keep You're covered head to toe You're covered head to toe Oh, the night is quickly fading And the day will soon break in And with the dawn, the Lord will give The grace you need to stand And turn your worries into songs Put on your covering of light And you will long outlast the darkness 'Cause He's with you in this fight And with His righteousness, across your chest Salvation for your head The belt of truth, around you now With the shield of faith in hand And with His peace, upon your feet Everywhere you go His word will be the sword you keep You're covered head to toe You're covered head to toe And with His peace, upon your feet Everywhere you go His word will be the sword you keep You're covered head to toe Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. ‘Put on the whole armour of God’. Begin today by imagining God slowly and deliberately laying each piece of his armour at your feet to equip you for the spiritual battles you may encounter in your Christian life. Can you see God's care for you in this? As the list is read with a pause in between each item of armour, take a moment to reflect on each piece as you put it on. Fasten the belt of truth around your waist. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. Take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. As you put these on, was there an item of armour that you felt you especially needed? Now listen again to the first part of the reading which describes the battle. As you consider the spiritual battles described in the reading, how does it feel to wear the armour that God has given you? Talk with God now, about any element from today’s reading that stands out to you, perhaps offering yourself afresh to God’s service. 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 30th of October in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach sings, ‘Nothing to Fear’. As you listen, allow yourself to be comforted by God. When you pass through the waters I will be with you And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm When you walk through the fire you will not be burned I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always In the depths of your sorrow I wept beside you When you walked through the shadow I drew you near And yesterday, today, tomorrow, always the same I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always What can separate you from My perfect Love What can separate you from My perfect Love What can separate you from My perfect Love Do not fear Do not fear Do not fear Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 13:22-30 Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” But he will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!” There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.’ Someone asked him, ‘Lord will only a few be saved?’ and Jesus replies with an illustration of entering the kingdom of God being like going through a narrow door. Try to picture this door. What colour is it? Just how narrow is it? It might seem a harsh and perhaps chilling image to see people knocking on this door and being rejected, but nevertheless Jesus encourages his followers to strive to enter it. So, take a moment to imagine that you are knocking on the door. Picture now, the door being opened for you, how do you feel… delighted, relieved, surprised, or something else? … What is it like to be invited to step over the threshold? As you hear the reading again, try to picture the followers of Jesus as they hear this message for the first time. Imagine their reactions... ‘People will come from east, and west and north and south and eat in the kingdom of God’. Return to your picture of stepping across the threshold of the narrow door. End your prayer time today, thanking God for his presence with 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.

Today is Tuesday the 29th of October in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra and Sandra McCracken with the Porter’s Gate sing, ‘The Kingdom of Jesus’. To what shall we compare the kingdom of Jesus if not a seed? It’s small, it’s sown, it’s tended and grown And it’s stirred in you and me Its branches never break and its fruit never withers His kingdom is not of this world Or of any kingdom whose ruler’s face is on a penny He comes to make all things right To put a new wine in us He’s chosen the small things to outlast the great The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate Though it seems some days that hell and its gates are prevailing Oh, say, can you see The kingdom within us Is the kingdom of Jesus To what shall we compare the spirit of the hour if not a sword It frees us, unites us, enslaves and divides us in violence Help us, Lord His kingdom is not of this world Or of any kingdom whose ruler’s face is on a penny He comes to make all things right To put a new wine in us He’s chosen the small things to outlast the great The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate Though it seems some days that hell and its gates are prevailing Oh, say, can’t you see We have one allegiance It's to the kingdom of Jesus He who is in us is greater Than he who is in the world He who is in us is greater And He’s overcome the world Oh, His kingdom is not one of slander or rage But one that is ruled by the lamb who was slain And is worthy of wisdom and honour and glory and strength No pain, no division, no public disgrace Will compare with seeing the smile on his face As he welcomes us home as children with places at the table Neither death nor threat nor power can ever separate us From the love of God forever, in Christ Jesus Everything shall pass away, but not the Word that’s within us, no It’s the kingdom of Jesus, the kingdom of Jesus Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 13:18-21 [Jesus] said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’ And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’ In today’s reading, Jesus gives us two pictures of what the kingdom of God is like. As you consider the tiny mustard seed with all its potential, you are invited to reflect on our own place within the kingdom. Can you remember your first seed of understanding of faith, and your response to God? Now imagine that you watch how the small seed of faith grows. Can you see this as the kingdom of God growing within you? Reflect on any seeds of faith you might have sown, perhaps in a short time or over many years…or perhaps how many birds have come to nest in your branches. As you listen to the reading again, reflect on how you experience the Kingdom of God as it grows through you and around you. As this time of prayer comes to a close, place yourself into the hands of God as he enables your faith to expand and grow within you. You might like to also pray for others around you to grow in their own faith. 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 28th of October, the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. The Choir of Royal Holloway sings, ‘One In Christ’ by George Arthur. Become aware of the ways in which you are “one in Christ” with other members of Christ’s Church today… When we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living you declared your love and opened the gate of glory. Today’s reading is from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God. Today, we hear St Paul addressing the Church in Ephesus. Imagine now that he is speaking to those you worship with, or you might like to picture the community of all those who are listening to Pray as You Go across the world, each becoming a part of God’s holy dwelling-place as they pray today. ‘You are no longer strangers and aliens.’ What does it mean to belong to God as a member of his household, a citizen with the saints? Take a moment to reflect on what belonging means to you. The reading goes on to describe the structure of household: ‘Built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the corner stone’. Imagine this household, full of people from the times of the prophets… who comes to your mind as someone already there? Imagine that you greet them now. ‘The whole structure grows into a ‘holy temple for the Lord’. Take a moment to picture this holy place. What is it like to join in with the worship here? As you listen to the reading again, ask God to show you more of what this household is like. Talk now with the Lord about this dwelling place, giving thanks for your place within this holy household with the apostles, prophets and saints. 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 27th of October, beginning the 30th week of Ordinary Time. The Monks of Glenstal Abbey sing Nos autem gloriari: ‘We should glory in nothing other than the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection; through him we are saved and set free. May God have mercy upon us and bless us, may he make his face shine upon us and be merciful to us.’ Nos autem gloriari oportet in cruce Domini nostri Jesu Christi: In quo est salus, vita et resurrectio nostra: Per quem salvati et liberati sumus. Deus miseratur nostri, et benedicat nobis: illuminet vultum suum super nos, et misereatur nostri. Today’s reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. Hebrews 5:1-6 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’  The author of the letter to the Hebrews is writing to people with a background in Judaism, trying to explain the Christian faith in terms that they will best understand. It’s likely that you yourself come from a very different background. What is your first impression of this passage? The central idea here is that although Jeus did not become the High Priest of the Temple, he shares much of that man’s role. Jesus knows our weakness from the inside, and so can deal gently with us. Where has that been true in your own experience of how Jesus deals with you? Might it have been better if Jesus had come to earth as High Priest? Why, or why not? Listen, as the passage is read again, for the ways in which it understands that Jesus was called and sent by his Father. As this time of prayer comes to an end, speak to Jesus about his gentle dealings with you, and how you feel about them. 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 Saturday prayer time offers an opportunity to look back with God at the last week. Start by picking out one thing that has happened that you’re grateful for and thank God for that. Now ask God for a clearer insight into what God has been doing in your life over the last seven days. Once you’ve made that request, let the week unfold again before your mind’s eye. Where have you been? What have you been doing? Who are the people that God has sent across your path? Notice how you’ve reacted during the week to all that God has been doing with you and giving you. How aware have you been of God at work in your life? Have you used the gifts and opportunities that God has given well? Speak to God now for a moment or two about what you’ve been shown in the prayer, with thanks, or praise, or repentance, or whatever way that seems most appropriate. Finally look forward to the week ahead, as your journey with God continues. Ask for whatever you most need from God for the next few days. 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 25th of October in the 29th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing, Sur tes murailles. ‘On your walls, Jerusalem, I set watchmen. Day or night they must never be silent.’ These words from the Prophet Isaiah speak of the care God has for his people, watching over them at every moment, to guard them, guide them, protect them. As you enter into prayer, ponder for a moment the care that God has for you, how God, even now, is holding you in the palm of his hand. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 12:54-59 He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? ‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.’ Without looking up a weather forecast, what do you expect the weather to be like over the next day or so where you are? What makes you think that? Jesus suggests that we should be able to interpret what’s going on around us, and the consequences of this, by paying attention. What is there in your own life, or in the world around you, that is most holding your attention at the moment? What makes it difficult to “interpret the present time” in the way that Jesus asks us to? This time around, listen especially to the second half of the passage. It talks about judging for yourself what is right. How do you respond to that? There’s plenty to think about, to pray about, in this passage. Talk, finally, to Jesus about whatever has caught your attention here. 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 24th of October in the 29th week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘Christ Abides’. Become aware of Christ abiding in you, as you enter into prayer 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" Heavenly places, heavenly places Heavenly places, heavenly places Heavenly places, heavenly places I'm with you in heavenly places, heavenly places Heavenly, heavenly, heavenly places Heavenly, heavenly, heavenly places Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. This whole passage is a prayer made by St Paul for those who read this letter. It is in this way a prayer that he makes for you. How does it feel to know that St Paul is praying for you as you hear his words? He first asks God that you might be “strengthened in your inner being”. Where do you most need that strength at the moment? Paul’s promise is that God can achieve in us more than we can ask or even imagine. What’s your response to hearing that? As the passage is read again, simply listen to how this prayer that is being made for you unfolds. Take a little time to respond to God the Father, who is working in these ways within you even as you pray. 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 23rd of October in the 29th week of Ordinary Time. The Kyiv Chamber Choir, sing the Creed: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” As you start this prayer today, can you take a moment to renew your own sense of belief? Can you begin by declaring your faith in God, your creator, your heavenly Father? Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 3:2-12 For surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. The followers of Jesus believe in revelation, in other words that God has chosen to make God known to us. What is the most important thing about God that God is showing you at this stage of your life? St Paul is confident that he is called to pass on to others what he has come to know about God. If you share that call, how might you best pass on to others something of what you have come to know of God? Paul speaks of doing this with “boldness and confidence. Are these gifts that you find in yourself when it comes to matters of faith? Are they gifts that you want? Listen out, as the passage is read again, for the ways in which Paul understands his own place here. You might want to talk with Jesus, or with God the Father, in these last few moments of prayer, about how you have come to know them, and what that knowledge 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.