Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. On Saturdays, we take time to reflect back on the past week, both within and outside of our prayer times. Don’t worry if you haven’t prayed with us every day (or any day) this week! This is a prayer time for everyone. Begin by settling into a position where you feel both comfortable and alert in God’s presence. You might like to ask God the Father, Jesus the son, or the Holy Spirit to be with you during this time, guiding and prompting you towards God’s love. We will repeat one line of scripture from each day this week. Notice what draws you or stays with you upon hearing… ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ Then Peter said… ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’ Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’ Notice if there’s a particular verse you would like to savour after listening… Speak with the Lord about why this particular verse is staying with you. If none of them struck a chord, don’t worry! Just speak about whatever is lingering in your heart now… How might you like to ask for God’s help for the coming week? Ask freely 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.

Today is Friday the 23rd August in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘All Things New’. Today, we will be reflecting on transformation from dryness to hope and life. Let Eliza guide you into a time of prayer today with this song… You break like the light of the sun Bringing colour to shadows Christ, it was you all along You’re the words of an ancient song, we’ve been singing Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new You rise, as the bright morning star We were blind but we see you now The light of the world here with us You’re a fire making holy ground, by your spirit Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new You’re the treasure of the ages Sought for generations How the prophets longed to see what we have seen You’re the final word incarnate Leaping from the pages You’re the burning heart behind the mystery Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new Behold, He makes all things new Today’s reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all round them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’ A striking image, dry bones coming to life through the power of the word of God! Does it remind you of any situation in your own life when things changed from being lifeless and dispiriting to becoming full of life and hopeful? If you can think back to a time like that, a time of transformation from dryness to life and hope, could you see God at work in the situation? Could you see it at the time? Can you see it now? As the passage is read again, notice how the reviving of the dry bones happens through Ezekiel, how God works through a person of faith, through a person who believes in God's power. How could God work through you, to bring new life to people or situations which are dry or lifeless? 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 22nd August, the feast of Our Lady, Queen, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. The Kyiv Chamber Choir sings In Thy Kingdom from One Thousand Years of Ukrainian Sacred Music. How do you imagine the kingdom of heaven? (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 22:1-14 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’ Some see this story as a warning against complacency, against taking my place in heaven for granted, or taking God for granted. Does that warning speak to me? Is it something I need to hear? Others might focus on what this parable says about the wideness of God’s invitation – God’s call – not just to a few, but to everyone (“both good and bad,” it says). If I’m very aware of my badness, my sinfulness, my shortcomings, and think that God wouldn’t want someone like me, perhaps this is what I most need to hear in this parable. When Jesus speaks in parables, it’s not always easy to know exactly what he means. But that’s the point – it’s meant to tease your mind into thinking about it, to make you wonder. As the passage is read again, notice what thoughts come to mind. What do you think it’s saying? Jesus is present here now, as you pray, so speak to him, as one friend speaks to another, about what his words say to you, and how you want to respond to his message. 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 21st August, the feast of Saint Pius X, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 4: ‘When I call, answer me, O God of justice. From anguish you released me. Have mercy and hear me.’ Can I make this my prayer too? As I listen, can I bring myself before God, trusting in his justice, his goodness, his faithful love? (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 20:1-16 ‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’ For a few moments, imagine yourself involved in this story: hanging about on a hot day, waiting for work, needing the money. How do you feel when the landowner comes along and hires your labour? How might you feel if you were one of the last to be hired? And when the working day is over, and you're queueing up to be paid. How do you feel when everyone gets the same pay? As the end of the story is read again, think of God as the landowner and hear how God treats each person who comes to labour in the kingdom. Everyone who comes to God is treated with the same fairness and the same generosity. And this is true for you: God accepts you with whatever you have to offer. What do you have to offer, what do you want to offer 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.

Today is Tuesday the 20th August, the feast of Saint Bernard, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘There is None Like You’. As you listen to the song, let the music and words guide you… can you make it the song of your own heart today? To say, “There is none like you, Lord”… There is none like You No one else can touch my heart like You do I could search for all eternity long And find there is none like You There is none like You, Jesus No one else can touch my heart like You do I could search for all eternity long And find there is none like You Your mercy flows like a river wide And healing comes from Your hand Suffering children are safe in Your arms Oh Lord, there is none like You There is none like You No one else can touch my heart like You do I could search for all eternity long And find there is none like You I could search for all eternity long And find there is none like You Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 19:23-30 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’ Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Using some vivid images, Jesus is teaching the disciples about the difference between worldly values and God's values. Imagine yourself among them, listening to Jesus. How do his words affect you? What are the riches which you are storing up for yourself? Do any of them get in the way of following Jesus’s teaching? As you listen again, hear Peter's question "What then will we have?" and listen to Jesus’s reply… Jesus promises that everyone who follows him will receive fulfilment and joy. What would you like to ask Jesus to give you 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 19th August in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Gott ist nur Liebe. ‘God is nothing but love. Dare to give all for love. Give yourselves without fear.’ Gott ist nur Liebe. Wagt, für die Liebe alles zu geben. Gott ist nur Liebe. Gebt euch ohne Furcht. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 19:16-22 Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. The young man asks Jesus what good deed he must do to gain eternal life; but what does Jesus draw his attention to instead? Jesus seems more concerned about how we treat people than what we do. Reflect for a few moments about the people you are in touch with, the people you deal with … do you treat them as you would like to be treated? Do you love them as yourself? As you listen again, hear Jesus inviting the young man to sell his possessions, to free himself from what gets in the way of following Jesus. You might talk over with Jesus whether there is anything that you are holding onto, perhaps too tightly, which gets in the way of following him more 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.

Today is Sunday the 18th August, beginning the 20th week of Ordinary Time. The Convivium Singers sing ‘Blessed Bread’ by Margaret Rizza. ‘Blessed bread, everlasting life; sacred cup, eternal salvation.’ Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 6:51-58 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ Those hearing Jesus in today’s passage give an honest response to what they’ve heard. They reject what sounds like cannibalism. Imagine you are there, hearing Jesus speak these words for the first time… What is your own reaction to Jesus’ words? Do you see a difference between those who “have no life in them” and those who do have life in them because of their faith, because of their close relationship with Jesus? In what ways does your faith, your relationship with Jesus give you life? In your mind’s eye, join the congregation in that synagogue in Capernaum, as they listen again to this radical young preacher. Jesus promises that “those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life.” What does this promise of eternal life stir up in your own mind and heart? Can you talk to God about that 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.

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Take a moment to become still…. Become aware of God’s loving gaze upon you now… Notice how you respond to it… 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 16th August in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sings, ‘Abba Father’. Abba Father, breathe on me Wash me in Your glory When faith is frail You carry me In Your presence I am free Today, we will use the practice of Lectio Divina to pray with our scripture passage. It is a simple yet profound method of prayer found in many traditions of Christian spirituality. The 'lectio' of Lectio Divina is a listening with the heart, as you tend to do quite naturally when you are struck by the beauty of a sunset, as you are mulling over a treasured memory, or as you pay attention to someone you love. In praying this way, you hear a scripture passage or other sacred text and you let God guide your heart. As we prepare to pray with our passage from the Prophet Isaiah, take a moment and invite God to speak to you through the text. Ask for openness. Let yourself settle into an expectant stillness. Listen with your heart to the words. There is no need to rush. No need to get to the end of the passage. When a particular word or phrase strikes you and seems to have some savour, linger with it … Isaiah 12 You will say on that day: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say on that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. … let the word or phrase that is lingering soak into you. Pause with it. Let the word or phrase resonate. Repeat it to yourself, relish it, let it echo and soak into you until the 'flavour' begins to go… … let yourself respond in prayer, in words from the heart, or a space full of silence, or spontaneous, unspoken feeling. We will listen once more to the passage… Continue to speak with God about what has stirred within you during this time of prayer… When you are ready, mark the end of your time of prayer with some closing gesture or words of prayer. Afterwards you might want to make a note of anything that seemed significant. 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 15th August, the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing the Magnificat: My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my saviour. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:39-56 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home. Today’s gospel gives an account of a most extraordinary visit! Cousins, one young and one old: one a virgin and one past child-bearing years. Both are pregnant. They each recognise the presence of God in the unlikely events which are unfolding around them. Take a moment or two to imagine being with Mary and Elizabeth in Zechariah’s house. Notice their humility and gratitude. Rejoice with them as they praise God for God’s goodness - even though they do not understand God’s ways. See the hope they have in God, the God who looks with favour on the lowly, the God who comes to turn the values of the world upside down. Today, we receive instant notifications and updates, with bad news of every kind. Many conversations are filled with doom and gloom. How does it feel to be part of Mary and Elizabeth’s ‘spiritual’ conversation? What effect does it have on you? Do the things you say to others sadden them or offer hope and joy? Mary’s soul magnifies the Lord. She tells of the coming of Christ – the Christ who will revolutionise our world, my world. As you listen again, this time just to her words, take a moment to consider what Christ’s values mean in your life – in the unique circumstances of your life. Mary’s words are taken from the scriptures she will have learned as a child. They form her prayer which challenges us deeply in today's material world. Talk to the Lord; you might like to ask God to enable you to see, like Mary, the ‘great things’ God is doing for 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.