Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Thursday the 12th of September in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Dieu ne peut que donner son amour: “God can only give faithful love, tenderness and forgiveness.” 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.’ ‘Love your enemies… bless those who curse you…give to everyone who begs from you…do to others as you would have them do to you…’ As you’ve listened to these words of Jesus today, perhaps a current situation or a troubled relationship has come to mind? Take a moment to let this thought come into focus, offering it to Jesus as if he is beside you. Continuing in your conversation, reflect for a moment on what is difficult about this situation or relationship. What disturbs you most? Reflect on how you experience this disturbance, and its impact on your daily life. As you listen again, listen to Jesus’ instructions… how might Jesus' words help or heal the situation that has come to mind? As you come to the end of your prayer time, ask in a word, for the gift you need for today, perhaps grace, or forgiveness for example, and thank him 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 Wednesday the 11th of September in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘The Kingdom of God’. Oh that I could see your face How I’m longing for that day Brighter sun of holy grace Make my heart a holy place Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God Beauty shining from your face Always longed to see this place Is there somewhere I can stay? Even just a couple days? Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want In valley or pasture, we shall not want Our cup runneth over and over For now and forever For now and forever The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want In valley or pasture, we shall not want Our cup runneth over and over For now and forever For now and forever For now and forever For now and forever Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God Oh that I could see your face How I’m longing for that day Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 6:20-26 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. Our reading today will be read again, slowly, pausing between each line to give space for time to reflect on these important words of the Beatitudes and how they speak into our lives today. Notice what challenges and comforts you. You may like to keep a pen and paper nearby to make notes. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. Now talk with the Lord about the things you have noticed. Perhaps you’ve encountered discomfort, and if you have, might this perhaps lead to change? Now continue the conversation, telling Jesus where you have found comfort in these words… give thanks, and let these words take their place in your heart today. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today is Tuesday the 10th of September in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. CalledOut Music sings, ‘Worst Days’. As we prepare to reflect on being called by God today, take a moment to remind yourself of the depth of God’s love for you. God of everything You reached out to me Made a home in my heart I just can't explain I just stand in awe Of Your wonderful love And even on my worst days It stays the same I just don't understand How high How wide How deep Is Your love Love that knows no end I'm wrapped up in the arms of my Father I'll never lose my position I will always be Your child That's all that matters Cuz even on my worst days It stays the same I just can't understand How high How wide How deep Is Your love Oh it reaches to the depths of my soul and it won't let go Oh wonderful love There's nowhere else I'll rather be, nowhere else for me Oh wonderful love From Calvary to eternity, I'm Yours forever Oh wonderful love (Oh Jesus) Your love knows no ending, the sweetest of tastes Oh wonderful love How high How wide How deep Is Your love Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. We will hear it in two parts… Luke 6:12-19 Now during those days, he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Imagine that you are with Jesus up on the mountain as he prays to God in the night. What is it like to be here with him…How does he pray? Enjoy spending this moment with him. Now, picture the scene as day breaks, and Jesus rises… Follow him down the mountain now … as you approach the bottom, notice the twelve disciples awaiting his return. Stay with the twelve, as Jesus calls each by name… and as you stand with them, imagine that Jesus also calls you by your name to follow him. How does this feel? Listen now to the second part of the reading: He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. As you see the crowd, many are trying to reach out to Jesus… Take a moment to watch as Jesus touches, heals and ministers to those who seek him. What do you notice? End this time of prayer with a conversation with Jesus… what has it been like to be close to him 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 Monday the 9th of September, the feast of Saint Peter Claver SJ, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King and Hillside Recording sing a version of ‘Gratitude’. Can you make these your own words today? Jesus Thank You Jesus All my words fall short I've got nothing new How could I express All my gratitude? I could sing these songs As I often do But every song must end And You never do So I lift up my hands And praise You again and again 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah Hallelujah And I know it's not much But I've nothing else fit for a King Except for a heart singing hallelujah Hallelujah I've got one response I've got just one move With my arms stretched wide I will worship You So I lift up my hands And praise You again and again 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah Hallelujah And I know it's not much But I've nothing else fit for a King Except for a heart singing hallelujah Hallelujah Oh hallelujah Hallelujah, ah Come on, my soul Don't you get shy on me Lift up your song You've got a lion inside of those lungs Get up and praise the Lord I will praise the name Jesus So I lift up my hands And praise You again and again 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah Hallelujah And I know it's not much But I've nothing else fit for a King Except for a heart singing hallelujah Hallelujah Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 6:6-11 On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. As you pray today, try watching this Sabbath scene as it unfolds. Imagine that you are peeping through the doorway of the synagogue. What do you see? Imagine now that you are walking with Jesus as he enters the synagogue… Try taking in the atmosphere as you look around. What can you hear? Notice the man with the withered hand… what does he look like? Imagine how this ailment might have affected his life? Now watch Jesus as he notices this man. What is his facial expression like as he invites the man to “come and stand here.” As you listen to the reading again, continue to watch the scene play out as if you are there. Jesus invites the man to “Stretch out his hand.” Watch the man do this…notice how is arm is healed… Notice also how his demeanour changes… Despite the fury and discussion in the synagogue, can you also share in the joy of this healing with the man. Take a moment as you end your prayer today, ask Jesus for his healing touch in your life 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 Sunday the 8th of September, beginning the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. Checko Ankrah and Nicky Lathbridge sing, ‘High and Lifted’. How might you join in with this song today? You are worthy to be praised You are worthy to be praised You are high and lifted up You are high and lifted up You are high and lifted up Oh Lord You are high and lifted up We're surrounded by Your presence, oh God You are high and lifted up Your glory fills Your glory fills the space, oh God You are high and lifted up I hear the sound of angels I hear the sound of Heaven I see Your glory fill this place, oh God You are high, You are high and lifted up Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 35:4-7 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. Sometimes we come across challenging qualities attributed to God: coming with vengeance and terrible recompense . . . Is it about context? Might we have questions around the image of God being presented? How do you deal with this kind of challenge in scripture? After this opening, we then have text that reminds us of the ministry of Jesus: the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Jesus heard all these scriptures and both encountered and embodied God in the midst of them. . . . As you listen again, imagine Jesus hearing these words and meeting God in them… What might Jesus want you to know about God today? Speak with Jesus about anything that has arisen for you, and listen for anything he might want to say 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.

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. The first reading for Sunday this weekend contains many consoling images: Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. This examen takes each of the images and invites a moment of getting in touch with a personal experience . . . You might not have answers to all five of these questions. In fact, one will do! See how you go . . . What new way of seeing or insight have you enjoyed recently? . . . . . . What have you heard that unblocked something for you? . . . . . . Perhaps metaphorically, when did you last leap like a deer?. . . . . . What has caused you to sing for joy? . . . . . . Where have you experienced life-giving refreshment in your last few days or weeks? . . . . . . Take one of these memories and enjoy it with God . . . . . . Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today is Friday the 6th of September in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sings, ‘Good Work In Me’. Everything I have within And all that is before me Meet me in this broken place Transform it for Your glory I lay this life downfall into You now A sacrifice of praise Surrender to You, my loving Savior I trust in Your great name You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus You are all I need Your love will satisfy I trust the plans You have for me I will stand upon the promise You've not forsaken me You walk beside me in the waiting You are doing a good work in me Now when I'm faced with trials I will choose your joy each morning I trust You, though I'm terrified So use me for Your glory I lay this life downfall into You now A sacrifice of praise Surrender to You, my loving Savior I trust in Your great name You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus You are all I need Your love will satisfy I trust the plans You have for me I will stand upon the promise You've not forsaken me You walk beside me in the waiting You are doing a good work in me You are a God of transformation Your presence carries restoration You deserve my praise There's power in Your name You are a God of transformation Your presence carries restoration You deserve my praise There's power in Your name You'll meet me in my hurting, Jesus You are all I need Your love will satisfy I trust the plans You have for me I will stand upon the promise You've not forsaken me You walk beside me in the waiting You are doing a good work in me Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 5:33-39 Then they said to him, ‘John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.’ Jesus said to them, ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.’ He also told them a parable: ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.” ’ Jesus does not want his disciples to be tied down by the chains of a stifling tradition. Where might he be inviting you to break free and walk in a new direction? How might Jesus be calling you to think in new ways and to do new things? There is always a tension around holding onto what is wholesome tradition and still deeply good, and also being open to new expressions that encourage growth. Can you see both of these qualities in Jesus? What is the new wine that Jesus wants you to drink? How does it smell? How does it taste? Take and receive it from him . . . 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 5th of September in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘We Nhliziyo yami’: ‘O my heart be wise when your enemies surround you. Keep praying; ask the Lord for help. For he is powerful. That is your weapon; do not lose it. Pray without ceasing, for the Lord is powerful.’ We nhliziyo yami, Mawuhlakaniphe; Zikuhaq' izitha zakho, Zivukela wena. Linda uthandaze, Ungayek'ukulwa; Cela ngezinsukuzonke ENkosin'amandla. Ungalahli wena Izikhali zakho; Ekufeni uzoqeda Umsebenzi wakho. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’, and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’ So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. Christ’s life is so contrary to what we sometimes call the values of the world. Where in the gospels do you enjoy him being counter-cultural? . . . For Jesus, gentleness is strength; service is greatness; poverty is freedom; death is a springboard to eternal life. What’s it like to belong to this Christ? . . . The world holds out one notion of validation. It includes material and reputational security. St Paul encourages us to trust in God and in Christ above any other thing in this world . . . Such trust grows slowly through relationship with Jesus. Listen again and hear the tone of Paul as he urges the Corinthians to think differently about life. How would Paul be encouraging you today to put your trust in God and in Christ? How do you want to respond to 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 Wednesday the 4th of September in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing C’est toi, ma lampe, Seigneur. “O Lord, you are my lamp. My God, enlighten my darkness.” (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 4:38-44 After leaving the synagogue [Jesus] entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Demons also came out of many, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah. At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea. We tend to think of Jesus always saying ‘Yes’ to people who need or want him. Not here though. There surely would have been more work to be done in Capernaum. The crowds were looking for him and they wanted him to stay. Yet Jesus says, ‘No’ . . . His ‘No’ to Capernaum is because of a more pressing ‘Yes’ to a wider mission. Jesus knows who he is. He knows when to say ‘Yes’ and when to say ‘No’ . . . What does this Jesus want to say to you? . . . This passage is full of activity, and then the silence of the morning with Jesus at prayer, discerning his next move. As you listen again, can you catch the different kinds of responses and feelings around him? . . . Learning how to say “No”! Spend a little time with this Jesus in prayer, discerning where he needs to put his energies . . . 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 3rd of September, the feast of Saint Gregory the Great, in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach sings, ‘All Will Be Well’. When I am troubled By the sorrows I see When the weight of the world is heavy on me Come close and tell me "All will be well" When I am weeping Over what I have done When my heart was asleep to the love of the Son Savior, come tell me "All will be well" All will be, all will be, all will be well All will be, all will be well You promised all will be, all will be, I will be well All will be, all will bе well Oh, all will be well Whеn I am frightened Over what lies ahead And I wake in the night to the tremor of dread Draw near and tell me That all will be well Ooh, all will be, all will be, all will be well All will be, all will be well You promised all will be, all will be, I will be well All will be, all will be well Oh, You hold it all in the palm of Your hands All of our sorrow and all of our sin You hold the world and You're letting it spin In Your mercy, all things will be well Oh, all manner of things will be well Oh, all will be, all will be, all will be well All will be, all will be well You promised all will be, all will be, all will be well All will be, all will be well, yeah All will be well Oh, all will be well When I am nearing The end of my days Jesus calmed all of my fears with the sight of Your face Let me hear You tell me Tell me that all will be well Tell me all will be well Oh, all will be well Ooh, all will be well Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 4:31-37 He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, ‘What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!’ And a report about him began to reach every place in the region. Sometimes people might read the gospels as if everything were scripted and happened according to a prearranged plan. Another possibility is that Jesus is impressively unperturbed by interruptions . . . How many times do we hear that he is teaching or healing and there is a challenging intrusion from someone else who is possessed or angry at Jesus? . . . Jesus is never thrown by interruptions. Never unnerved. Never bamboozled! He keeps his cool. What do you think of this quality in Jesus? . . . As you listen again, imagine how Jesus responds to this interruption to his teaching . . . It has been said that if you want to make God laugh, why not tell him your plans! Enjoy the unflappable calm of Jesus! You might ask him for some share of it . . . 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.