Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Tuesday 25 June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Come, my way, my truth, my life. As you enter this time of prayer today, begin by inviting the Lord into your life. Take a moment to acknowledge the need for God to show you the way, to teach you the truth, to give you life. Come, my way, my truth, my life; Such a way, as gives us breath. Such a truth, as ends all strife： Such a life as killeth death. Come, my light, my feast, my strength; Such a light as shows a feast. Such a feast as mends in length, Such a strength as makes his guest, Come, my joy, my love, my heart; Such a joy as none can move. Such a love as none can part, Such a heart, as joys in love. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 7:6, 12-14 ‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. ‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” This is probably one of Jesus’ most famous sayings. He invites us to be as generous in our lives as God is generous to each of us. Would you say you treat other people generously? Do you feel that you are treated generously by others? “Enter through the narrow gate.” That, Jesus tells us, is the way to the kingdom of God. What baggage might you need to leave behind, in order to enter by that narrow gate? What do you need to let go of? These words, these sayings of Jesus are well-known, perhaps too well-known for us to hear them properly, so it takes a real effort to really hear what is being said to us. Listen again. Do you need help from the Lord to live in this way? Can you ask the Lord to help you to ‘travel light’, to help you leave behind all that clutters your journey, all that holds you back from living your life with the same generosity that God shows us? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today is Monday 24 June, the Birthday of St John the Baptist, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘All Things New’. Where is God acting with newness and restoration in your life and the world around you at the moment? 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 Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:57-66,80 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name. ’Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel. Elizabeth, we are told, had been hoping for a child for years, perhaps decades, before her son was born. It would have been easier, surely, to give up hope and to settle for what she had. What unrealised hopes do you have, for yourself, or your family, or your work, or your church? What helps you to keep those hopes alive? What supports you in not giving up on them? And what’s it like, in your own experience, when a long-held hope is at last realised, as Elizabeth’s is here? Listen, as you hear the passage again, for all the different reactions to John’s birth. How do Elizabeth, Zechariah, the bystanders, and their neighbours react? Speak to God for a moment or two of your own hopes. And listen for anything he might want to say to you about them. 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 23 June, beginning the 12th week of Ordinary Time. IAMSON sings ‘Slow Down’. Slow down, where are you going What's so important that can't wait Tell me what are you seeking What is it thats keeping you from Bringing me your questions All that you carry, all that you bury underneath Just slow down, just slow down And meet with me Rest now, be in the present Here in the blessings of today Listen just for a moment I am the only one with Words to calm your worries Focus your mind on me, I am the way to perfect peace Just slow down, just slow down And meet with me Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 1:4-10 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.’ Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, ‘Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.’ “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you”. These words are addressed to Jeremiah, but they could just as easily apply to you and me as well. What does it feel like to know that God has been this close to you, has known you intimately, since before you were born? Although Jeremiah became a famous prophet who spoke God’s word to many people, when he was first told of this, he felt unworthy, unready, “only a boy”. Do you have those same feelings about the task of speaking God’s word – or even just speaking about God – to the people you meet? Not ready? Not qualified? Not good enough? Not sure what you’re supposed to do? God invites us all to be bearers of his word, so, as you hear the reading again, try and imagine yourself in Jeremiah’s place. Hear God speaking all these words, not to him, but to you. How do you want to respond now to this invitation, this commission, from God? If you have feelings of reluctance, uncertainty, unreadiness, tell God about them. Whatever it is you want to say, say it to God 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 21 June, the feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. David Thomas with the Taverner Players, sings Ich Habe Genug from Bach’s Cantata number 82, echoing the words of Simeon: ‘I have enough. I have taken the Saviour, the hope of the Gentiles, into my arms.’ Often when we pray, we ask God for this and for that. And fair enough, we have needs and it is right to bring them before the Lord. But there is something rather beautiful – there is something very beautiful – about this prayer, which just says, ‘I have you, Lord. I have enough.’ (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 6:19-23 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Think for a moment: what possessions do you really value at this moment in your life? Now ask yourself this: in five years’ time, which of these possessions do I think will still hold the same importance for me? Beyond your valued possessions, what is really important in your life that you would like to continue, to last? As the passage is read again, imagine yourself in the group listening to Jesus. Imagine him looking directly at you as he says these things. Jesus says to us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Can you open your heart and speak to Jesus for a moment about your innermost thoughts and feelings? 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 20 June, the feast of St Alban, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come, thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our sins As we forgive them that sin against us Lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil For thine is the kingdom And the power And the glory Forever Amen Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 6:7-15 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Let the words of the Lord’s prayer soak a little deep into your heart today. You have space now to go through each line slowly… stay with whatever is most drawing you… Is there a line in particular that brings you a sense of fullness of life as you have prayed with it so far? As you listen again to the short reading, notice if there is a part of it that causes you a little tension. Just notice that and bring it to Jesus as he speaks… As this time of prayer comes to an end, is there anything unfinished? Anything you haven’t said or heard in your time with Jesus? Allow space for these things 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 Wednesday 19 June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing: ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’ As they sing…. I listen. I listen with my whole attention, with my mind and with my heart, so that I may really hear the word of God, and keep it. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 ‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Sometimes, our image of God can be a little off kilter. For example, we can sometimes experience God as a stern schoolteacher, policing and critical of everything we do. So, perhaps we need to adjust the tuning a little… to remember God as goodness, as love, as patience, kindness and gentleness, a powerful helper maybe… Take a moment to locate your sense of God today… “…your Father who sees in secret…” We hear this phrase repeated a number of times throughout the passage. When our image of God isn’t lining up with who God really is, this phrase might be a little scary. Why not take a moment to imagine God looking upon you with great, unfathomable love… When we recognise the loving God in this secret place, we are able to freely and truly live, give and act within the joy of God’s purpose for us, without needing to be on display for others, or becoming like the hypocrites mentioned in today's passage. As you listen to the reading again, try and locate that loving God, and notice the ways in which God desires to reward… As this prayer time comes to an end, you might like to ask for God’s help in deepening that secret place, or anything else that has stirred up in you during this time. 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 18 June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. Davy, with the Porter’s Gate sings a setting of Psalm 5. As you listen, are you able to lay the pieces of your life on God's altar? Listen, God, please, pay attention. Can you make sense of all my groans and cries? Listen, God, I need your help. Every morning you’ll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar. Listen, God, please, pay attention. Can you make sense of all my groans and cries? Listen, God, I need your help. Every morning you’ll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:43-48 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. It’s not always easy to keep on good terms with friends, let alone love our enemies. How often do you find yourself naturally wanting to pray for your enemies? Have you ever found yourself able to look with love at someone you considered to be your enemy? Have you ever come close? There is a saying, “they are their own worst enemy”. Sometimes our main enemy can be our own sense of self. What about loving the “enemy” we can sometimes find within ourselves? The passage ends with a challenge to be perfect like God! How can we be? Another possible translation is “complete” - to be complete like God in the way that we reach out to everyone - not so much to be perfect in our relationships but to be complete in our range of relationships. Does this understanding of Jesus’s words speak to you? Does it console you? Does it challenge you? Let’s now listen to the reading again and see if that challenge of completeness says something to you now. As this prayer time comes to a close, what could you ask of God that will help you to become more complete 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.

Today is Monday 17 June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing, Jésus le Christ: ‘Jesus Christ, inner light, do not let my darkness speak to me. Jesus Christ, inner light, let me welcome your love.’ Jésus le Christ, lumière intérieure, ne laisse pas mes ténèbres me parler. Jésus le Christ, lumière intérieure, donne-moi d'accueillir ton amour. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:38-42 ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. These sayings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount are tough. As you listened to this reading from Matthew’s Gospel, what was your instinctive response? Were any of those sayings realistic for you? Does one stand out as particularly difficult? With these thoughts in mind, let’s listen to the reading again. As you end this time of prayer today, you might like to ask Jesus for help in understanding his words and putting them into action… speak to him as a friend. 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 16 June, beginning the 11th week of Ordinary Time. The Kyiv Chamber Choir sings In Thy Kingdom from One Thousand Years Of Ukrainian Sacred Music. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 4: 26-34 He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’ He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’ With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. In this passage, Jesus tells two stories about something called “the Kingdom of God”. What do you think this “Kingdom of God” is? The two stories both talk about the astonishing process of growth - something that was perhaps more familiar to Jesus and his audience than it is to us. What is the point that these two stories make, do you think? Why do you suppose it was that Jesus taught the crowds in parables, but “explained everything in private to his disciples”? Now listen to the passage again. Ask yourself, “Is Jesus challenging me to do something here? What does he want me to do? Am I willing to do it?” Finally sum up all that you have felt and thought in the last few minutes and offer it as a prayer to God the Father, or to Jesus, or to the Holy Spirit. 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.