Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Monday 15 July, the feast of Saint Bonaventure, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Ngaza Ngambona: ‘They are blessed who keep his commandments; they will have their eternal place. Come in, all of you, so that you may be happy and be able to say, I’ve seen him on the cross, the one who loves me. Teach me, Father, to love you, praise you and pray to you.’ (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 1:10-17 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation— I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. In this passage, the prophet Isaiah challenges his listeners about what is, and what is not, pleasing to God. The prophet prompts his audience to 'learn to do good' and to 'search for justice'. How does this speak to you today? “…learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Can you think of any action or practice that you could do to reflect this in your own life? If something comes to mind, share this with Jesus as you would with a friend. As you listen to the passage again, reflect a little more on what is, and isn’t, pleasing to God. Searching for justice can start simply by remembering those who suffer. As this time of prayer comes to an end, take time now to reflect on your own relationships, thinking about someone you could help or support in the days ahead. 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 14 July, beginning the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Fiez-vous en lui: “Trust in Him and do not fear. The peace of God will protect your hearts. Alleluia.” Fiez-vous en Lui, ne craignez pas. La paix de Dieu gardera vos coeurs. Fiez-vous en Lui. Alleluia. Alleluia. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 6:7-13 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Take a moment to place yourself into the sandals of one of the disciples… You have been following Jesus for a little while, staying close to him, listening, observing, learning, training. But now it’s time to be sent out to “do”. Notice your reaction… Not only are you setting out with a new role, but you also can’t take anything with you! In your mind, begin walking with your other disciple companion… how does it feel to only be holding a staff? Bare? Light? Nerve-wracking? Perhaps liberating? As you listen to the passage again, imagine shaking off the dust of a place as a testimony against them… what is that like? “They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” As we end this time of prayer, imagine you are returning to Jesus after the trip… what would you like to share with him from your own life? Or you might like to ask him for more opportunities in your daily life, to be “sent out” in this way… 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. On Saturdays we like to look prayerfully and reflectively back at what we have done during this week, both our activities and our praying, to get used to seeing where God has been. Take a moment to slow down and recognise the presence of God with you now, in this moment. Let three things come to the surface in your mind, possibly, but not necessarily, three moments in prayer, when you felt the touch of God this week. Now think of just two things for which you would like to tell God that you are sorry. Finally think of just one thing that you are being challenged to work on in the coming week. And ask for God’s help. 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 12 July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing: Ego vos elegi: ‘I have chosen you out of the world, so that you might go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.’ As you listen to this chant, hear those words addressed to you, because they are addressed to you. God knows all your strengths and all your weaknesses, and has chosen you to bear fruit for him. Ego vos elegi de mundo, ut eatis, Et fructum afferatis: et fructus vester maneat. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 10:16-23 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Today we encounter the moment of Jesus sending his twelve disciples out to preach. Imagine you are one of the twelve… How do you experience what he says about the betrayal and persecution to come? Jesus tells them not to “worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say”. Do you think that you could manage that? Perhaps you have already been in this scenario before… Now listen once more as the passage is read a second time. Is there a word or a phrase that really speaks to you? What might God be saying to you here, do you think? Finally, just look back over this time of reflection and prayer, and all the thoughts and feelings that have arisen within you. Can you find a way of turning them into a prayer to God or to Jesus? 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 11 July, the feast of Saint Benedict, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘Baba wethu singenile’: ‘Our father, we have entered in the holy place, as you have invited us. Be close to us. Open our hearts to understand your word. Remove the darkness that surrounds us and give us your light.’ (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Book of Proverbs. Proverbs 2:1-9 My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; if you indeed cry out for insight, and raise your voice for understanding; if you seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures— then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path. Today’s passage speaks of making ears “attentive to wisdom” and inclining the “heart to understanding”. Why not take a moment to begin this prayer time by making your ears attentive to wisdom and your heart inclined to understanding? What might God want to say to you today? When was the last time you really searched for something “like hidden treasures”? Perhaps lost car keys, or a passport? Or maybe something more precious to you? Can you remember what that felt like? As you listen to the passage again, notice this language of ‘seeking’ and see if you recognise it in your own relationship to God… “Then you will understand…” Is there something you would like to understand better at the moment? Speak with God about anything this prayer time has stirred up in 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 10 July in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The choir of Portsmouth Cathedral sing Psalm 42 – Like as the Hart desireth the waterbrooks, so longeth my soul after thee, O God. Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks: so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? My tears have been my meat day and night: while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God? Now when I think thereupon, I pour out my heart by myself: for I went with the multitude, and brought them forth into the house of God; In the voice of praise and thanksgiving: among such as keep holy-day. Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me? Put thy trust in God: for I will yet give him thanks for the help of his countenance. My God, my soul is vexed within me: therefore will I remember thee concerning the land of Jordan, and the little hill of Hermon. One deep calleth another, because of the noise of the water-pipes: all thy waves and storms are gone over me. The Lord hath granted his loving-kindness in the day-time: and in the night-season did I sing of him, and made my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto the God of my strength, Why hast thou forgotten me: why go I thus heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me? My bones are smitten asunder as with a sword: while mine enemies that trouble me cast me in the teeth; Namely, while they say daily unto me: Where is now thy God? Why art thou so vexed, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God: for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my God. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Hosea. Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 Israel is a luxuriant vine  that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased  the more altars he built; as his country improved,  he improved his pillars. Their heart is false;  now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars,  and destroy their pillars. For now they will say:  ‘We have no king, for we do not fear the Lord,  and a king—what could he do for us?’ Samaria’s king shall perish  like a splinter on the face of the waters. The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel,  shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow up  on their altars. They shall say to the mountains, Cover us,  and to the hills, Fall on us. Sow for yourselves righteousness;  reap steadfast love;  break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,  that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. This passage holds a lot of imagery for us to imagine. Has anything stayed with you in particular from this reading? Sit and ponder that for a moment… “It is time to seek the Lord”. When is it “time to seek the Lord”? When is it not time to do so? Now listen as the passage is read to you once more. Notice the final instructions of the passage… how do these speak to you? “…for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” Perhaps it is time for you to seek the Lord about something… spend this closing time talking to God, approaching as one friend might approach another about whatever this has prompted in 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 9th of July, the feast of Saints Leo Ignatius Mangin SJ, Mary Zhu Wu and Companions, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The Cape Town Camerata sings, Ubi Caritas: ‘Where charity and love are, God is there. Christ's love has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.’ Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor Exsultemus et in ipso iucundemur Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur Ne nos mente dividamur caveamus Cessent jurgia maligna cessent lites Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est Simul quoque cum beatis videamus Glorianter vultum tuum Christe Deus Gaudium quod est immensum atque probum Saecula per infinita saeculorum Amen Where charity and love are, God is there. Love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. Let us fear, and let us love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love one. Where charity and love are, God is there. At the same time, therefore, are gathered into one: Lest we be divided in mind, let us beware. Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease. And in the midst of us be Christ our God. Where charity and love are, God is there. At the same time we see that with the saints also, Thy face in glory, O Christ our God: The joy that is immense and good, Unto the World without end. Amen. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 9:32-38 After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.’ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ In this story, there are two reactions to the healing performed by Jesus, that of the crowds, and that of the Pharisees. Which are you more drawn to? Jesus “had compassion for the crowds”. Spend some time being a part of the crowds. How do you experience Jesus’ compassion here? Now listen once more to the passage. What is it saying to you this time? Finally, just look back on this time of prayer, and see if you can gather all your thoughts and feelings into a prayer to 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 Monday the 8th of July, in the 14th 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 Matthew. Matthew 9:18-26 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district. The leader of the synagogue says: “but come and lay your hand on her, and [my daughter] will live” … Spend some time with the faith displayed here… Is this something you have in your walk with Jesus? Notice that the woman with the haemorrhage says something similar: ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ How does this faith speak to you? Now listen as the story is read to you once more; what really touches you in it? Finally, look back over this time of prayer, and try to remember what you experienced in the course of it. Can you bring all that together and make a prayer 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.

Today is Sunday 7 July, beginning the 14th week of Ordinary Time. Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Dulce Jesus mio. “My sweet Jesus, look with mercy on my lost soul.” As I sit here, or stand here now, trying to pray, what kind of shape is my soul in? Content and at peace? Lost and wandering? On the edge? And what about the other souls around me? Are there ‘lost souls’ here beside me who also need the love of God in their lives? Yya1 Jesuchrixhto, apuk1rui ityaku niyausus1p1 ninait1 sobi. Dulce Jesús mío, mirad con piedad mi alma perdida por culpa mortal. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 6: 1-6 He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. Take a moment to place yourself within the scene… Imagine you are from Jesus’ hometown. Suddenly, Jesus, whom you saw grow up, leading the simple life of a carpenter’s son, is now teaching in the synagogue. How do you respond to this? With confusion? Perhaps bewilderment? “Where did this man get all this?” It’s a fair question! Do you ever feel hesitant in your belief? What prevents you from believing in the power of Jesus? As you listen again, hear Jesus’ response to the people… How does he sound? What is his tone of voice like? As you take your leave of the synagogue, perhaps you would like to approach Jesus… what would you say or ask for? Perhaps a stronger sense of belief? Or maybe something else…speak with him 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. Begin today by noticing all that is around you… any people… animals or trees… sounds around you… all of these are symbols of God’s creative hand at work. Spend some time with your own breathing… just notice that God is providing this in real time… your breath is a handiwork of God’s love… Today, we will take a line of scripture from each day of passages we have heard this week. Don’t worry if you haven’t prayed every day (or even any day!), it's about listening to what draws you in this moment. ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ What is staying with you after hearing these lines of scripture? Allow yourself some time to weigh your responses… Has anything this week drawn you towards a feeling of lightness, or fullness of life? Has anything led you to feel heavy, or uneasy in some way? Bring these to the Lord. Looking ahead, what might you need from the Lord as we step into a new week? Ask for whatever you feel will help you, and listen for God’s response. 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.