Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

7th week in Ordinary TimeToday is Wednesday the 26th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sing, ‘In Your Truth’. As you listen, notice the ways in which you are trusting in Jesus’ truth in this season… I’ve found hope in one unchanging I’ve found a friend in the great I Am I’ve found peace in the Lord Almighty Perfect love meets me as I am In Your truth I am found In Your arms I am home In Your grace I’m restored In Your love is where I belong I’ve been saved by the King of Kingdoms I’ve found life in the Risen One I’m set free by the Lord of justice Perfect peace tеlls me who I am In Your loving arms I am safe and sеcure In Your loving arms I’m adored Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 9:38-40 John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. At the start of this short passage, it looks as if the disciple John thinks that Jesus’s followers ought to have a monopoly on exorcism. No-one else should be allowed to cast out demons. Why might he think this? Jesus, by contrast, seems content that all sorts of people might be sharing in this work. Why, do you think, does Jesus take the opposite view from John’s? Notice that both John and Jesus are talking about people who cast out demons in the name of Jesus. What difference might this make to the debate? As you listen again, notice why Jesus thinks that this unnamed exorcist should not be stopped. Mark 9:38-40 John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. Finish your prayer by responding to Jesus’s final words here: “Whoever is not against us is for us”. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Tuesday 25 February 2025Today is Tuesday the 25th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time.    The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 114, “I love the Lord, he hears my cry, he bends down to listen to me when I call” – words which paint a beautiful picture of God bending down to me like a mother or father bending down to their child, full of tenderness and love.   As you listen, reflect for a moment on that ‘tender, loving care’ – that love that God has for you…and the love that you, in turn, have for God.  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.    Mark 9:30-37    They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.    Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’    One of Mark’s favourite images is of Jesus striding along a road, with his disciples hurrying to keep up with him. As they walk, Jesus offers them teaching that they often misunderstand. Here, he starts by pointing to his own suffering and death. How do you think they would have reacted to these words?    Shortly afterwards, it seems, the disciples start arguing about seniority. Why do you think that Jesus’s words about his passion prompt them to start a discission of this kind?    Children had little power or influence in the society of Jesus’s time. In Mark’s gospel, unlike some of the others, we’re not asked to become like children again. Rather, we should welcome the children. Why might this be important in this context?    As the passage is read again, notice what Jesus wants his disciples to be like.    Mark 9:30-37    They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.    Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’  As the prayer comes to a close, ask God for whatever you need to be the kind of follower that he is looking for 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. 

Monday 24 February 2025Today is Monday the 24th of February in the 7th week of Ordinary Time.    Salt of the Sound sing, ‘Come Thou Fount’.     Come, Thou Fount of every blessing  Tune my heart to sing Thy grace  Streams of mercy, never ceasing  Call for songs of loudest praise  Teach me some melodious sonnet  Sung by flaming tongues above  Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it  Mount of Thy redeeming love  Here I raise to Thee an altar  Hither by Thy help I'm come  And I hope, by Thy good pleasure  Safely to arrive at home  Jesus sought me when a stranger  Wandering from the fold of God  He, to rescue me from danger  Interposed his precious blood  O to grace how great a debtor  Daily I'm constrained to be  Let Thy goodness, like a fetter  Bind my wandering heart to Thee  Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it  Prone to leave the God I love  Here's my heart, O take and seal it  Seal it for Thy courts above  Here's my heart, O take and seal it  Seal it for Thy courts above  Today’s reading is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus.    Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10    All wisdom is from the Lord,     and with him it remains for ever.  The sand of the sea, the drops of rain,     and the days of eternity—who can count them?  The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,     the abyss, and wisdom—who can search them out?  Wisdom was created before all other things,     and prudent understanding from eternity.  The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?     Her subtleties—who knows them?  There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,     seated upon his throne—the Lord.  It is he who created her;     he saw her and took her measure;     he poured her out upon all his works,  upon all the living according to his gift;     he lavished her upon those who love him.    Several of this week’s readings come from the book of Ecclesiasticus. This is said to have been written by an experienced civil servant living in Jerusalem a couple of centuries before Christ. He wants to pass on to future generations what he has learnt from his long years of public service. What’s your first impression of these opening verses?    The writer is very aware of the limits of what human beings can know, without the help of God. But his response isn’t to commission new research, or to give up all hope of ever reaching deeper insight. He invites us, instead, to ask for wisdom as a gift from God. How do you react to that invitation in your own life?    Listening to the passage a second time, notice the kind of things that the writer thinks that it is difficult to discover.  Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10    All wisdom is from the Lord,     and with him it remains for ever.  The sand of the sea, the drops of rain,     and the days of eternity—who can count them?  The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,     the abyss, and wisdom—who can search them out?  Wisdom was created before all other things,     and prudent understanding from eternity.  The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?     Her subtleties—who knows them?  There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,     seated upon his throne—the Lord.  It is he who created her;     he saw her and took her measure;     he poured her out upon all his works,  upon all the living according to his gift;     he lavished her upon those who love him.  You might like to finish this prayer by asking God for the kind of wisdom that you yourself need at the moment.  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 23rd FebruaryToday is Sunday the 23rd of February, beginning the 7th week of Ordinary Time.    The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Blessed Are The Merciful’.     Blessed are the merciful Blessed are the merciful Blessed are the merciful For they shall receive mercy, mercy Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us Lord have mercy on us Show Your mercy through us Lord have mercy on us Show Your mercy through us Lord have mercy on us Show Your mercy through us Mercy  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.    Luke 6:27-38  ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.  ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’      Jesus is asking a lot here.  ‘Love your enemies’ is easy to say but very hard to do.  You can well imagine his audience listening and thinking, “Come on, no one loves their enemies.”  Yet there is an undeniable truth here – anyone can love the people who love them; anyone can ‘be nice’ to people who are nice to them.  It comes naturally.  But can I do any better than what comes naturally?  Can I sense God asking any more than that of me?    And Jesus touches on another truth here: if you only give love or care or kindness when you can be sure of getting it back, it’s not real kindness, not real care, not real love that you’re giving.  Real love is not a deal, a transaction.  Real love is given freely.  Where in my life do I see God inviting me to love more like that?    As this passage is read again, imagine Jesus looking you in the eye, looking at you with love, and speaking these words to you.    Jesus is present here now, so speak to him about how what he says relates to your life – to the way you live and the way you love.    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 22nd February in the 6th week of Ordinary TimeWelcome to the Saturday Examen.    Take a moment to become still before God.     Where can you recognise God wherever you are right now? Perhaps in another person... perhaps in creation or in something in your house...    Begin to let the events of your week naturally rise to the surface of your mind.     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 is 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 21st of February in the 6th week of Ordinary Time.    Salt of the Sound sing, ‘Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross’.     In the cross, in the cross  Be my glory ever  'Til at last soul shall find  Rest beyond the river  Jesus, keep me near the cross  There a precious fountain  Free to all, a healing stream  Flows from Calvary's mountain  In the cross, in the cross  Be my glory ever  'Til at last soul shall find  Rest beyond the river  Near the cross, O Lamb of God  Bring its scenes before me  Help me walk from day to day  With its shadow o'er me  In the cross, in the cross  Be my glory ever  'Til at last soul shall find  Rest beyond the river  Near the cross I'll watch and wait  Hoping, trusting ever  Till I reach the golden strand  Just beyond the river  In the cross, in the cross  Be my glory ever  'Til at last my soul shall find  Rest beyond the river Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.    Mark 8:34-9:1  He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.’      By this time, Jesus had quite a large crowd of followers, admirers, people who liked the way he talked, who were encouraged by his Good News.  But then he comes out with this stuff about ‘losing your life’.  And he talks about the ‘cross’ - the Roman form of execution.  How do you think this change in tone might have sounded to his followers?    Suppose you’d been part of that crowd…. how would you have reacted?…. what would you have said to the person next to you?   Can you imagine how it would have felt?    What comes to mind when you hear those words of Jesus again?  What might have been the reaction in the crowd?  Think for a moment what it might have been like … a shocked silence maybe, then a growing murmur ... this teaching would have been too much for some.    Is there something that is preventing you from hearing what Jesus wants to say to you?…. Something you need to lose, to let go of? Let the Spirit of God show you what you need to let go of … and let it go.    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. 

6th week in Ordinary TimeToday is Thursday the 20th of February in the 6th week of Ordinary Time.    Harpa Dei sing the Te Deum:  ‘We praise you, O God, we acknowledge you to be the Lord.’  As I enter into prayer now, can I begin by acknowledging the Lord? - by recognising the greatness of the One, True, Eternal God, the Holy One in whose presence I stand, right now?  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.  Mark 8:27-33  Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.  Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’  Jesus is on the road yet again when he decides it’s time to ask his closest followers a direct question.  The first question might have been almost casual, but then he makes it much more personal – “but who do you say that I am?” Perhaps he asked the first question as they walked along but then stopped and looked at them as he asked the second question.  How do you imagine it happening?  Can you picture the scene?  The faces?  The voices?    Now imagine yourself being asked that question, “but who do you say that I am?” – either as one of the disciples in this scene, or right here, right now.  Pause with that question for a moment.  Who is he … for you? Who do you hope he is?  Who do you long for him to be … for you ... for the world?    As you hear the passage once more, notice how the conversation continues after Peter’s confession of faith.  Mark 8:27-33  Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.  Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’  Jesus goes on to speak of being rejected by everyone, suffering and even being killed.   Peter finds this so difficult to hear that an argument breaks out between him and Jesus.   What feelings does this talk of suffering give rise to in you?  Speak to Jesus now about this – perhaps you want to argue with him, too, or say something about your own pain and suffering. Whatever it is you want to say, speak freely.  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. 

6th week of Ordinary TimeToday is Wednesday the 19th of February in the 6th week of Ordinary Time.    The community of Taizé sing Da Pacem Cordium:  “Give peace to our hearts”.  As I listen, I might join in this prayer, asking the Lord for peace in my heart, asking God to help me still myself for a moment, so I can listen to his gentle voice, speaking to my heart.  Today’s reading is from the Book of Genesis.  Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22  At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more.  In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying.  Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar. And when the Lord smelt the pleasing odour, the Lord said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done. 
As long as the earth endures, 
   seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, 
summer and winter, day and night, 
   shall not cease.’      Noah has been on the ark for forty days. Can you imagine what this might have been like? How might you have been feeling, restless, unsure of what was to come, or perhaps hopeful, and looking towards the future?    Imagine this boat, this ark, what does it look like, how does it smell, what can you hear?    As you hear this reading a second time, stand beside Noah as he waits patiently for the Dove to return, and notice how this makes you feel.    Talk to God now, the God who holds you, keeps you, and protects you, and always will.    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. 

6th week of Ordinary TimeToday is Tuesday the 18th of February in the 6th week of Ordinary Time.  Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum:  My eyes are on the Lord God.  Wherever you are right now, on the way to work, walking in the park, sitting at home… what can you see?  What can you see around you?  Pause and remember for a moment, that all of this has been made by God, and is loved by God, that God holds you, and all of this, in the palm of God’s hand.  Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum Like the deer that yearns for running streams So my soul is yearning for my God My tears have become my bread day and night As I hear it said：'Where is your God?' Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum By day the Lord will send His loving Spirit By night I will sing praises to the God of my life Send out Your light and Your truth as my guide To lead me to Your holy ground Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum Then shall I go to the God of my joy Singing praise, praise on the lyre and the harp Why so downcast my soul? Put your hope and trust in my Saviour, my God Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.    Mark 8:14-21  Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’      ‘Do you still not perceive or understand?’ -- What is it that stops you from seeing, from hearing, from perceiving, from understanding?      But notice also your desire to see … to hear … to perceive … and to understand.  Where is that desire in you?  What do you want to see, hear, understand?     As you hear the reading again, imagine yourself as one of them, in that boat, puzzled, trying to do or say the right thing but not quite managing it.  How does Jesus look at you?  Is he angry … or is he willing you to understand?  How do you imagine it?    Speak to the Lord now and tell him about what you want to see ... to hear … to perceive and to understand.  Ask God to help you and pray that you may let yourself be helped.    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. 

6th week of Ordinary Time Today is Monday the 17th of February in the 6th week of Ordinary Time.    Eliza King sings, ‘A Thousand Different Ways’. As you listen, bring to mind the ways Jesus has met with you over the years...    Nothing is unseen  For You have walked the worst of it with me  At times I almost didn't make it through  Jesus if it hadn't been for You  Still only You and I know all the places  You've met me in Your mercy, in Your kindness  You've saved my life a thousand times  In a thousand different ways  And I've never been the same  Nothing is a waste  For every pain and every broken place  Has led me to the safety of Your hands  Where I find the wounds that make me whole again  Still only You and I know all the places  You've pulled me from the grip of death and darkness  Lord I know, You've saved my life a thousand times  In a thousand different ways  And I've never been the same  Forever I am marked by the hands of a healer  He has it written across my face  Still greater's been the work of Your Holy Spirt  By Your mercy I am born again  By Your mercy I am born again  Still only You and I know all the places  You've pulled me from the grip of death and darkness  Only You and I know all of the places  You've met me in Your mercy, in Your kindness  Lord I know, You've saved my life a thousand times  In a thousand different ways  And I've never been the same  I never knew that I could be this free  Till Jesus started healing me  Didn't know I could feel so alive  Till Jesus came and washed me white  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.     Mark 8:11-13   The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation." And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.    The Pharisees come to Jesus after they’ve made up their minds that it was their duty to test him. They must have spent some time talking this over … people were beginning to look more interested in Jesus than in them… can you imagine what this conversation might have been like? What did they say?   In a way, there’s nothing wrong with looking for a sign, with looking for evidence, is there? It’s part of the way we operate as human beings. Where in your life do you find yourself looking for a sign? Where do you accept things ‘on faith’?  As you listen again to the reading, try and imagine it happening – the mood of the Pharisees, the looks on their faces, the tone of voice they use, the exasperation, perhaps, in Jesus’s voice….   It’s probably true that most people’s attitude towards God, and their relationship with God, involves a mixture of evidence and faith. At times we may want ‘signs’. And, at times, we may get them. Is this true for you? Spend some time talking to God about this now, as one friend speaks to another...    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.