Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Friday 19 September 2025Today is Friday the 19th of September, in the 24th week of Ordinary Time. The nuns of Mary, Queen of Apostles, sing Veritas Mea: ‘My truth and My mercy are with him; and in My Name his horn shall be exalted. Alleluia!’ Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 8:1-3 Soon afterwards [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. Spend a moment following Jesus through the cities and villages... What do you notice about how he is “bringing the good news of the kingdom of God”? What inspires you? We hear of women providing for Jesus and the followers...you might like to think about the women you know today who work to bring about the good news. Take a moment to thank God for them. Now listen as the piece is read to you once more. Place yourself into the scene and become aware of what you notice... Luke 8:1-3 Soon afterwards [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. To finish, you might like to review this time of prayer. What were the thoughts and feelings that surfaced inside you? Can you turn them into a prayer to God in your own words? 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

Thursday 18 September 2025Today is Thursday the 18th of September, in the 24th week of Ordinary Time. In God alone is my soul at rest. He alone is my rock, my strength. There are probably things on my mind as I try to pray, right now. Things bothering me, worrying me, things I’ve got to do. Those hassles and concerns may be important. But for these few minutes, can I just put them on one side, and find a moment of peace for my soul? A moment of rest with my God, my rock, my strength? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 7:36-50 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.’ Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ ‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ This is one of what are sometimes called Luke’s “disastrous dinner parties”. Do you think that a good description of what happens here? Place yourself in the scene now, using all your senses. We hear that the Pharisee was rather shocked by the woman’s behaviour. Was he right to be shocked? “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” What is your answer to this question? Now listen as the passage is read to you once more. What really strikes you about it, here and now? Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ ‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ "Go in peace...” Speak to God about what you might need to go in peace 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

Wednesday 17 September 2025Today is Wednesday the 17th of September, the feast of Saint Robert Bellarmine SJ, in the 24th week of Ordinary Time. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Uqinisil’Ubaba: After travelling the whole world, I still come to the same truth that I left at home: God is truth! So why do you doubt? Don’t doubt, hold on to him and place your hope in him. Listen to God because he is truth. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. 1 Timothy 3:14-16 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. Does anything stay with you from these words you have just heard? You might like to imagine you are Timothy, having just received this letter from Paul. Paul refers to 'the household of God’, the Church of the living God as the 'pillar and bulwark of the truth'? What does this mean in your faith life? What relationship do you have to the 'household of God'? Now listen as the passage is read to you once more. Does anything really touch your heart about it? 1 Timothy 3:14-16 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. Finally, see if you bring together now all the thoughts and prayers that have come to you during this time, and turn them into a prayer to God in your own words. 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

Tuesday 16 September 2025Today is Tuesday the 16th of September, the feast of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, bishop, in the 24th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, Kyrie Eleison. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy. Kyrie eleison Christe eleison Lord have mercy, mercy on us Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 7:11-17 Soon afterwards [Jesus] went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his people!’ This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. This is a very powerful story. Jesus, as so often, is surrounded by crowds, but in the noisy crowd he does not fail to spot the sadness; this sadness comes from the recognition of a woman who has lost her son, her only means of support. What do you notice about Jesus’ reaction? Jesus tells the woman not to weep. Is he failing to understand how awful things are for her? Or is there something else going on here? Now listen as the passage is read to you once more. Is there anything in this story that really touches your heart? Why is that? Luke 7:11-17 Soon afterwards [Jesus] went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his people!’ This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. 'The word spread throughout Judaea and all the surrounding country.' As we come to the end of this prayer, imagine you are one of those spreading the word about what you have just witnessed. What would you say? You might like to talk to God about your response to all of this... 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

Monday 15 September 2025Today is Monday the 15th of September, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, in the 24th week of Ordinary Time. Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short, sing the Nunc Dimittis from Rachmaninov’s Vespers, the song of Simeon: “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples”. As I listen, can I become aware that I am in God’s presence now, that I too am God’s servant, and that I too am part of this story of salvation? Nyne otpushchayeshi raba Tvoego, Vladyko, po glagolu Tvoyemu s mirom: yako videsta ochi moi spaseniye Tvoye, ezhe esi ugotoval pred litsem vsekh lyudei, svet vo otkrovenie yazykov, i slavu lyudei Tvoikh Izrailya Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 2:33-35 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ This is a very striking passage. Let's spend some time in prayerful attention with it. The “child” was of course Jesus, who is being presented in the Temple. Spend a moment with his parents, Mary and Joseph... Why do you think they were "amazed”? How did they show their amazement, do you think? "A sword will pierce your own soul too”. Place yourself in Mary’s shoes. How do you receive these words? Now listen as the story is read once more. Is there anything that really strikes you this time? Luke 2:33-35 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ Is there a character in the passage you would like to stay with? Or perhaps you would like to take the child Jesus into your own arms... Spend some time talking with God about what is lingering with you. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Sunday 14 September 2025Today is Sunday the 14th of September, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, beginning the 24th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Dieu ne peut que donner son amour: “God can only give faithful love, tenderness and forgiveness.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 3:13-17 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. In the Book of Numbers, God saves those people who have been bitten by venomous snakes when they look towards a bronze snake held up on a pole. Here, Jesus uses this image to explain to Nicodemus his coming crucifixion. Take a moment to ponder on how these two images illuminate each other. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son”. What does that tell you about God’s feelings for the world, and everyone in it? “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn”. Many people would think of the Church, and of Christians, as condemning them and what they do. How would you want to respond to them? Notice, as the passage is read for a second time, about the kind of picture of God, and of Jesus, that it leaves you with. John 3:13-17 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. You might want to speak with this same loving, saving God, who has no interest in condemning people, for a moment or two as this prayer comes to an end. 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

Saturday 13 September 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Our Saturday prayer usually invites you to ask God to show you more clearly where and how God has been most active in your life this week. Start, then, by asking God for the gift of recognizing more clearly what has been going on in these past few days. Now take a few moments to re-live this last week. Where have you been, what have you been doing, who have you been with? Now notice where the highlights of the week have been. Where have you been most fully alive, most fully your best self? Where have you found life, and light, and energy, in the last few days? Next, take time to recognize these highlight moments as places where God has been active in your life. What’s your sense of what God has been offering you in them, or calling you to? And how have you responded to what God has been doing? How do you want to respond here and now? Finally, look to the week ahead. Perhaps in the light of what you’ve seen in this prayer already, what do you want to ask God for in the coming days? 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

Friday 12 September 2025Today is Friday the 12th of September, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach sings, ‘Create in Me’. Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Against you only I have sinned Done evil in your sight But you have shown me what I’ve done With mercy in your eyes Then wash my shame and guilt away My weary soul renew From all my sinning turn your face Let me return to you Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Create in me a clean heart, O Lord So I will give you what you ask A humble, broken heart A spirit burning down to ash Within your flame, O God And this will be your mercy, Lord Transforming all of me Til every act and every word Your love and glory speaks Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Have mercy on me According to your endless love Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 6:39-42 [Jesus] also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye”, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye. You’re invited to recognise your own faults before seizing on those of your neighbour. What failings or weaknesses of your own are you inclined to overlook, or to cover up? It is generally thought that Jesus spent much of his life on earth as a carpenter. Does that add anything to his talk here of logs and specks or splinters? In listening again, notice the lines about disciples and teachers. How does that fit into, or add to, the rest of this passage? Luke 6:39-42 [Jesus] also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye”, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye. Parables are meant to keep you thinking, not to have obvious, one-line meanings. Invite Jesus to show you what more he has to tell you in this story. 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

Thursday 11 September 2025Today is Thursday the 11th of September, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. The Brilliance sing, ‘Christ Be With Me’. Christ be with me, Christ before me Christ behind me, Christ within me Christ below me, Christ above me Christ be with me At my right hand, at my left hand As I lie down, as I rise up As I stumble, as I fall down Christ as I stand Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me Christ in every eye that sees me Christ in every ear that hears me Amen, amen Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. Colossians 3:12-17 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. St Paul, writing to the Christian community of Colossae, in modern-day Turkey, paints a picture of what an ideal follower of Christ might look like. How far can you recognise yourself in that picture? Think of someone who knows you well. What is there in Paul’s words that they would think applies to you? What part of this picture do you find it most difficult to live out in your own life? A disciple should be like the one they follow. Much of this passage describes what Christ himself is like. As you hear the passage again, notice what it tells you about Jesus, as God’s chosen one. Colossians 3:12-17 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Take a moment or two to thank God, for the parts of this picture that you can see in yourself. And to ask for God’s help, for those parts of it where you need to grow. 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

Wednesday 10 September 2025Today is Wednesday the 10th of September, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. Nóirín Ní Riain, with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, sings the Beatitudes. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 6:20-26 Then [Jesus] looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.' This is perhaps Jesus at his most revolutionary, promising that the world’s values will be turned upside down. On first hearing, how do you think that you’ll come out of these changes? Will you benefit from them, or will you be worse off as a result? Why is it that the poor, the hungry, those who weep and are hated, are the ones singled out for better things to come? And why are the rich, those full of food and laughter, those generally thought well of, told to expect hard times ahead? Jesus speaks these words to his disciples, his closest followers. As you hear them again, consider the different reactions that you might see among them. Luke 6:20-26 Then [Jesus] looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. Everyone has a reaction to what Jesus says here. Speak to him for a few moments about how you’ve been touched by what he has said. 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