Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Friday 5 July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Come to Me’. As you prepare for prayer today, can you come to the Lord just as you are? Are you tired, worn, and burned Are you tired, worn out, and burned Are you tired, worn down, and burned out? Come to me Come to me, come to me I won’t lay anything heavy on you Come to me, stay with me Learn to live lightly Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Matthew was a tax collector. Tax collectors were despised. They were outcasts, yet Jesus invited one of them into his inner circle. What does this tell you about his attitude towards people? Matthew doesn’t hesitate. What courage, to drop everything, just like that, and start again! Is there anything in your life you would like to make a fresh start with, just like that? Listen again, and this time try to picture the dinner with Jesus and the tax-collectors and the sinners, and outside, the Pharisees with their noses turned right up. Jesus compares himself to a physician – to a doctor – here, come to bring health and healing to sinners. Imagine yourself sitting or standing before him now, and ask him for the health and healing that you need. 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 4 July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 146: “It is good to sing in honour of our God - sweet is his praise. The Lord, Restorer of Jerusalem! He brought back Israel's exiles, healing their broken hearts, and binding up their wounds.” (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 9:1-8 And after getting into a boat he crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. Feeling unforgiven can be like paralysis. When things can’t be put right, we can feel trapped, unable to move on. The future is closed. We feel like we can’t grow or walk free. Do you feel like that, or can you remember a time when you did? In today’s Gospel, Jesus relieves a man of the burden of the past with simple but powerful words: ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven’. Do you still carry the weight of past mistakes and sin? Are there parts of your life that weigh you down? - things you’re even scared to call “sin”? As you hear the story one more time, imagine yourself lying on that bed, unable to move, trapped in your past. Hear Jesus utter words of forgiveness with a gentle voice. And let him show his power to forgive by saying “stand up and walk”. The gift of true forgiveness is always a doorway into deeper love. Maybe you want to express something of that now to the Lord? Or just stay in silence, with Jesus standing in front of you, looking on you with great love and tenderness. 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 3 July, the feast of St Thomas, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘Show me Your Face’. Moses stood on a mountain Waiting for You to pass by You put Your hand over his face So in Your Presence, he wouldn't die And all of Israel saw the glory And it shines down through the age Now You've called me To boldly seek Your Face Show me Your face, Lord Show me Your face And then gird up my legs That I might stand in this holy place Show me Your face, Lord Your power and Your grace Your power and grace I would make it to the end If I can just see Your face David knew there was something more Than the ark of Your presence In a manger Messiah was born Among kings and peasants And all of Israel saw the glory And it shines down through the age Now You've called us To boldly seek Your face Show me Your face, Lord Show me Your face And then gird up my legs That I might stand in this holy place Show me Your face, Lord Your power and Your grace Your power and grace I will make it to the end If I can just see Your face I know I will make it to the end If I can just see Your face Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 20:24-29 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ There is something important going on deep down inside for Thomas. In his gut there’s a scepticism about all this talk of resurrection. Maybe it’s just too good to be true? Mass hysteria? Something inside him resists a faith that is too easy, too much like a fairy-tale. Thomas had not long before experienced the trauma of Jesus’ arrest and death. If Jesus is truly risen, he must still bear the wounds of the Cross. You can’t just put something like that to one side and forget about it, can you? Do you sense those feelings in yourself too? Are there ‘dark places’ where you might still need to meet Jesus, risen from the dead? Take a look at the world you live in… places of poverty and hunger, suffering and loss. Can Jesus really be risen there? Take a moment to look at the broken places in your own life, too. What are the wounds that you need God to know about and to heal? As you listen again to the Gospel story, try to imagine Thomas’s face as he places his hands in the wounds of Jesus. This is no feel-good, happy ending – but real life out of real death. A hope so real you could base your life on it. See if you can find some spark of hope lighting up within you. Hold on to it. Let it grow. Tell the Lord about it and where it might take you. Can you say with Thomas, “My Lord and my 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 Tuesday 2 July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘It Is Well With My Soul’. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part but the whole Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! It is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul It is well with my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:23-27 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ Jesus’s reaction in this story is hard to understand. He doesn’t seem that bothered about the storm raging on the sea. But he’s really surprised by the terror and panic of his friends. How come they don’t see that they are totally safe with him around? We could see the sea as a symbol of the chaos out of which God creates the world, the disorder the world often reverts to. How do you react to the little chaoses that come into your life? Do you tend to panic like the disciples? Put up defences? Resign yourself to the inevitable? Or do you put all your trust in the Lord? Gently reflect on this with grace… Look back over the past few weeks to a time and a place where the storm was raging about you. Recall that moment, your reactions, your feelings…. Now imagine yourself in that situation which threatened you, as you listen to the reading again. Jesus is there with you this time. Tell him, “Lord, save me, I am going down.” Listen to what he says, see what he does. Do you feel drawn to the Lord in this prayer? Do you feel attracted to a life of gentle faith in a God who will not let you be lost? You might want to speak to Him, hand over some of your worries and insecurities. And give Jesus thanks for all he is 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.

Today is Monday 1 July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The Community of Taizé sing Christe Lux Mundi: ‘O Christ, light of the world, whoever follows you will have the light of life.’ Christe, lux mundi, qui sequitur te, habebit lumen vitae, lumen vitae Today's reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:18-22 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ It seems a strange thing for Jesus to say, "let the dead bury their dead." What do you think he means? - that there is something more important than family ties? - that following him is the way to real life? How does this all sit with you? Jesus also speaks here of the “cost of discipleship”. He invites us to follow him, but he is not promising an easy ride. Instead, he seems to be saying, “follow me, and I promise it will be tough.” How do you feel about this challenging invitation? As this short passage is read again, imagine the scene, with you in it, perhaps in the place of the scribe - what it feels like to speak these words to Jesus, and to hear his reply. "I will follow you wherever you go." Are these words you want to speak to Jesus now, in response to his challenge? Perhaps you would choose different words. Whatever it is you want to say, speak to the Lord who is listening to you 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 Sunday 30 June, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, beginning the 13th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings ‘Praise to the Lord’. Can you echo this prayer of praise today? Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near Join me in glad adoration Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning Sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining Ponder anew what the Almighty can do If with his love he befriends you Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him Let the Amen sound from his people again Gladly forever adore him Let the Amen sound from his people again Gladly forever adore him Today’s reading is from Psalm 29 and can be found as Psalm 30 in other versions of the Bible. Psalm 29 I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me And have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord, I cried to you for help And you, my God, have healed me. O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead, Restored me to life from those who sink into the grave. Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, Give thanks to his holy name. His anger lasts but a moment; his favour through life. At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn. I said to myself in my good fortune: “Nothing will ever disturb me.” Your favour had set me on a mountain fastness, Then you hid your face and I was put to confusion. To you, Lord, I cried, To my God I made appeal: “What profit would my death be, my going to the grave? Can dust give you praise or proclaim your truth?” The Lord listened and had pity. The Lord came to my help. For me you have changed my mourning into dancing, You removed my sackcloth and girdled me with joy. So my soul sings psalms to you unceasingly. O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever. “Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love Him”. Can you think of a time you have sung a psalm to the Lord recently? Is singing to God a big part of your life? “To you, Lord, I cried…” And now, can you bring to mind a time you have cried to the Lord? Perhaps you are doing so now… Psalms teach us to pray from the heart. As you listen again, how are you inspired by the words? What stays with you? “The Lord listened and had pity”. As this prayer time closes, speak to the Lord about anything that is stirring within you, knowing that the Lord is listening and takes pity. 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. Our prayer today is an opportunity to reflect back on the week with God. Don’t worry if you can’t remember anything or haven’t prayed with us for the whole week! It’s about asking the Holy Spirit to shed light on your week, letting moments rise to the surface naturally. Spend a moment sitting in stillness and allowing the Spirit to bring to mind what God most wants you to remember. What has brought new life and joy this week? Where have you seen Jesus revealed in a new or fresh way? What has surprised or disturbed you? Tell God which encounter has changed, challenged or comforted you the most. Think about those times when you have felt resistance to God’s guidance. What has stopped you from being whole-hearted? Speak with God about this. Thank God for your time together this week. Look forward to next week’s encounters with the living 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 28 June, the feast of St Irenaeus, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short, sing “Bless the Lord My Soul” from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. “Bless the Lord, my soul. Lord God, how great you are!” As I begin to pray today, I acknowledge the greatness of God, who created me and everything around me - the earth, the moon and the stars - who makes springs gush forth in the valleys and grass grow for the cattle… and I place myself in the hands of that great and wonderful God. Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Gospoda, blagosloven esi, Gospodi. Gospodi Bozhe moy, vozvelichilsya esi zelo. Blagosloven esi, Gospodi. Vo ispovedaniye i v velelepotu obleklsya esi. Blagosloven esi, Gospodi. Na gorakh stanut vody. Divna dela Tvoya, Gospodi. Posrede gor proydut vody. Divna dela Tvoya, Gospodi Vsya premudristiyu sotvoril esi. Slava Ti, Gospodi, sotvorivshemu vsya. Bless the Lord, O my soul, blessed art thou, O Lord. O Lord my God, thou art very great. Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Blessed art thou, O Lord. The waters stand upon the mountains. Marvellous are thy works, O Lord. In wisdom hast thou made all things. Glory to thee, O Lord, who hast created all. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8: 1-4 When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ The leper in this story was cast out. He had to live well away from other people, cut off from the rest of humanity. He lived in a separate world of the lost and forgotten. Can you imagine what his life was like? Not just his physical pain, but also the pain of being outcast, and the pain of loneliness? Then Jesus comes along. It’s actually one of the most amazing sentences in the Gospels. It tells us, simply, “Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the leper.” Can you imagine what that was like? Living with leprosy is a very long way from the experience of most of us. But there may be other ways in which I have felt an outcast, cut off, isolated, in pain… or maybe I have cut others off. As I listen again to the reading, I notice if there any echoes of this situation in my life. Those words, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” Can I make those words my prayer today? And can I sense the Lord saying back to me, “I do choose. Be made clean!”, and stretching out his hand, and touching me? 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 27 June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sings, ‘My Soul Rests’. Here in this mystery Here in Your majesty I find myself With nothing to offer Your love surrounds me You give me yourself My soul rests, my soul rests In your embrace My spirit sings, my spirit sings All your praise Here in your presence The whole host of heaven Bows down low There’s no higher honour No love that’s greater You make us your own You’re so close, Jesus, so close to me Like the breath in my lungs You’re so close, Jesus, so close to me Like the breath in my lungs Today's reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 7: 21-29 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’ Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. 'Easier said than done,' people say. 'Talk is cheap.' There are often gaps between what we say and what we do. Think back for a moment over the last month, say, or even the last week, about what you have been saying and what you have been doing. How well do the two line up? The words of Jesus are the words of eternal life. Without this foundation, without this anchor, our lives can drift or fall apart. To what extent is your life anchored in Jesus? And how much do you want it to be? As you hear the passage again, try to imagine Jesus speaking these words - think perhaps of his tone of voice or of the look in his eyes. What is it that gave his words authority, unlike the scribes? God's passion for us is that we live lives founded on his love. Talk with God now about your deepest desire for his love to be the anchor of 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 Wednesday 26 June, in the 12th 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 7:15-20 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. Jesus says we’ll know false prophets not by how they look or what they say, but by what they do, by the fruits of their lives. Can you point to false prophets in the world you inhabit? What are the fruits by which you recognise them? In your life, in what you do, what kind of fruit do you bear? Do people have to make a guess about your genuineness, or is it clear from the fruits that you bear? As you listen to the reading again, remember that Jesus was accused of being a false prophet. What kind of fruit did he bear? What feelings does all this give rise to in you? What does it tell you about your own life? And what do you want to bring before the Lord 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.