Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Tuesday 4 November 2025Today is Tuesday the 4th of November, the feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, in the 31st week of Ordinary Time. The Brilliance sing, ‘Brother’. Today we will hear St Paul’s instruction, ‘Bless those who persecute you’. How easy do you find this? Allow this song to take you into a place of preparation for prayer... When I look into the face of my enemy I see my brother, I see my brother When I look into the face of my enemy I see my brother, I see my brother Forgiveness is the garment of our courage The power to make the peace we long to know Open up our eyes To see the wounds that bind all of humankind May our shutter hearts Greet the dawn of life with charity and love Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Today, we will practise ‘Lectio Divina’ together, a way of praying with Scripture where you hear the passage slowly and stay with whatever phrase is speaking to you. You might like to imagine you are receiving it as those in the early Church, or even as a monk in the Middle Ages, simply listening... Listen to the whole reading. What draws you? Romans 12:5-16  So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.  Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.  Is there a word or phrase that catches you? If yes, repeat it a few times as you breathe. Where does the phrase take you? Share this with God... On this second read through, notice what moves you. We’ll leave a little more space this time... Romans 12:5-16  So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.  Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.  Recall again the phrase you picked out earlier. What’s God’s invitation here? How would you like 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

Monday 3 November 2025Today is Monday the 3rd of November, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, in the 31st week of Ordinary Time. Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Versa est in luctum by Alonso Lobo. Versa est in luctum: My harp is tuned for sorrow. ‘Tuning your harp for sorrow’ is a conscious, deliberate preparation for sadness to come. Perhaps there is sadness in you on this day of commemoration. Let Jesus be with you in this music... Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 7:11-17 Soon afterwards he 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. Today we mark All Souls’ Day - a day to remember and pray for all who have died. This gospel is an illustration of Jesus’ understanding of grief and his ability to bring about new life. This new life does not cancel out the reality of death. Christian hope sits alongside our experience of grief. Many of us will have lost loved ones over the last year. Take a moment to remember what they were like. Perhaps they were difficult people, perhaps they were delightful; or were they both at times? Who comes to mind for you? Consider how God is receiving them, loving them. Might you imagine Jesus and you and that person all together? What happens? How might God want you to pray for this person? As you listen to the gospel again, notice the compassion of Jesus. Luke 7:11-17 Soon afterwards he 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. Perhaps our intercessory prayer adds to the mix of love in God’s universe in a way that makes a difference. So, add your love to the mix. Take a moment to pray for all those who have died this year; for their families and their friends... 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 2 November 2025Today is Sunday the 2nd of November, the feast of All Saints, beginning the 31st week of Ordinary Time. Nóirín Ní Riain, with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, sings the Beatitudes. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.' In today’s reading, we hear Jesus preaching on the Beatitudes. Take a moment to imagine Jesus and his disciples up the mountain, surrounded by crowds of ordinary people, the local community of the Galilee and beyond, listening intently to his words, feeling encouraged and each identifying with anticipating and receiving God’s blessings in their own situations. Now we will listen again to the list of blessings that Jesus describes to them, one by one. Each blessing will be followed by a pause. As you hear the words, notice which blessing you most long for or identify with in your own situation. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Pause ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Now, as you look at this scene, on the mountain, take your place in this community. Look around you on this mountain, and notice, in the crowd, the faces of people you know, the living saints and pray for God’s blessing on them today. Finally, seated in this sacred space, let the Lord gently draw near to you as you pray and receive his blessing. 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 1 November 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. In the Church calendar, we are preparing to focus on All Souls and All Saints days. We read in Revelation: 'Day and night without ceasing they sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’ We begin our prayer today picturing this scene... try to imagine your presence in prayer with the Lord becoming part of the worship of Heaven. Let some of the faces of the saints you have encountered come to mind. Give thanks to God for those who have loved you and have influenced your life. As we begin to reflect on the past week, a selection of readings will be read. Try to let each of these scenes come alive to you as you listen: When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment. Then he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,  built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?”  But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him and sent him away.  Which one of these readings feels most meaningful to you today? Stay with this reading for a while. Now, as you recall the past week, is there a moment when you felt especially close to the Lord? Give thanks for this moment. Now try to recall when you felt most distant from the Lord. Give this moment and the events which surrounded it, to the Lord. As we come to the end of our prayer time, we recall again this time of remembrance of the saints. During the final moments of prayer, let this scene from the book of Revelation become present to you, and take time to enjoy the light and the promise of God: ‘They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.’ 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 31 October 2025Today is Friday the 31st of October, the feast of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sing “Turn your eyes upon Jesus… and the things of the earth will fall strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of the earth Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace In the light of His glory and grace Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke and we will enter into it imaginatively. Today there will be no repeat reading. Luke 14:1-6 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, ‘Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?’ But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. Then he said to them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?’ And they could not reply to this. Imagine that you are accompanying Jesus to the meal at the house of a leader of the Pharisees. We hear that the Pharisees were watching him closely. What is it like to be there with Jesus? What is the atmosphere like? Picture now the man with dropsy, just in front of Jesus. Dropsy was the name in those days for oedema, excessive water retention, causing the limbs to swell. The man must have been experiencing great discomfort. As you imagine the appearance of this man, notice the way Jesus looks at him. Now Jesus turns to the Pharisees, asking, ‘Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath or not?’ They remain silent. Sit for a few moments with the silence in this room. What, do you think, is not being said? Stand with Jesus and watch him as he takes the man, heals him, then sends him away. Despite the atmosphere around him, Jesus doesn’t seem to worry about what the Pharisees think of him, demonstrating his freedom to heal on the Sabbath, to do only his Father’s will, as he is the Lord of the Sabbath. There might be times we feel judged by others when ministering for the Lord. What would it feel like to be free of concern about this “judgement”? Now watch as Jesus fixes his attention on the Pharisees. Imagine the scene in the room as Jesus poses his question. ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?’  ‘And they could not reply to this’. Stay with the silence in the room a moment longer, noticing the mood. End the time of prayer today, reflecting on your experience in this scripture. What has most struck you or perhaps most moved you during this encounter? 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 30 October 2025Today is Thursday the 30th of October, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. Good Shepherd Collective sings, ‘Help Me Jesus’. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Romans 8:31-39 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. In this section of St Paul’s letter to the Romans, we might feel moved by the passion in Paul’s description of the unshakable love that Jesus Christ has for us. These reassuring words were written for Christians living in a society of pagan worship and hostility. ‘Who will separate us from the love of Christ?’ Take a moment to ponder this question in your heart. Perhaps there are people who don’t understand your faith, who mock your beliefs, or maybe you live under threat for being a believer. ‘We are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ How has your faith in Christ been tested? Imagine Paul saying the following words to you: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Can you let these words make a difference to you? As you listen to the reading again, remember that Paul, who was no stranger to hardship, was imprisoned in Rome as he conveyed this message of God’s love through Jesus Christ to the Romans. Romans 8:31-39 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. As this time of prayer comes to an end, notice how it feels to know that we need never to be separated from Christ’s love... 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 29 October 2025Today is Wednesday the 29th of October, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Dominus Spiritus est: 'The Lord is the Spirit; the Spirit gives life. God is the source of all life, the one in whom we live and move and have our being.' As you look around you now, at any people or signs of life around you, can you sense God’s presence? Can you sense God’s Holy Spirit here? In these people? In these living things? In you? Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Romans 8:26-30 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. St Paul writes, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought’... Take a moment now to bring to God a situation that you would like to pray about but perhaps feel that it’s too difficult to know how exactly to pray, something that seems beyond words. Now, imagine that you quietly hold this situation, or people, or person in your hands before the Lord in silence. As you do so, imagine the Spirit surrounding you and searching the feelings and longings within your heart. Perhaps you can join in with the Spirit and pray with sighs too deep for words. ‘We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.’ As you hear the scripture read again, reflect on a time when you have known these words of St Paul to be true for you. Romans 8:26-30 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. As you end your time of prayer today, return to the situation you’ve been praying for and entrust this to the Lord’s care. 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 28 October 2025Today is Tuesday the 28th of October, the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. The Choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by James O’Donnell, sing O quam gloriosum by Victoria: ‘How glorious is the kingdom, where all the saints rejoice with Christ.’ O quam gloriosum est regnum, in quo cum Christo gaudent omnes Sancti! Amicti stolis albis, sequuntur Agnum, quocumque ierit. O how glorious is the kingdom in which all the saints rejoice with Christ, clad in robes of white they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God. ‘We are no longer strangers or aliens, but citizens with the saints, members of the household of God’. Can you picture this household, filled with a community of people devoted to God’s kingdom? Take a few moments to imagine this scene. Continue imagining all the saints and apostles in this household. Is there someone you would particularly like to meet and converse with, like a recognised saint or perhaps someone whose guidance you’re grateful for on your journey of faith? Now picture Jesus at the very heart of the household as the cornerstone. What is it like to know that he is there? As you listen to the reading again, watch how the structure of the household has grown right from the beginning when perhaps we were still strangers or aliens. Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God. Paul describes this household as being a dwelling place for God. Pray now for a community of Christian believers known to you, giving thanks to the Lord who dwells among them and within 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

Monday 27 October 2025Today is Monday the 27th of October, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Come, All Who Are Weary’. As you begin your time of prayer today, take some deep breaths and enter into knowledge of God’s love for you. Come, all who are weary I will give you rest Come all who are striving Lean upon my breast For my yoke is easy And my burden light O come, all who are weary, come Come, all who are wounded Crying out how long Come all who are waiting For the break of dawn Darkness will not hide me Forever from your sight O come, all who are wounded, come Come, all who are weeping All whose hope is gone Come all who are silent All who've lost their song Your every tear is numbered Your every sorrow known O come, all who are weeping, come O come, all who are weary Wounded and weeping All of God's children, come Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 13:10-17 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. The woman in our reading today, had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years, leaving her bent over and unable to stand up straight. Perhaps there are things in your life which cause you to feel bowed over in body, mind or spirit. Take a moment to acknowledge these things with the Lord. This woman would have been constantly looking down towards the ground, so in your imagination, try walking beside her for a while. Look at the ground beneath your feet, the sight that she sees all the time. Imagine what this is like and how she feels as she walks. As you listen again to the reading, notice the difference in the woman’s appearance and demeanour as Jesus lays his hands on her. Luke 13:10-17 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. ‘The woman immediately stood up straight and started to praise God.’ Now, return to the things that make you feel bowed over. Imagine that the Lord is gazing upon you with deep compassion as you feel or bear these things. How does it feel to know that Jesus sees you? You might like to ask for his healing touch. Perhaps you can end this time of prayer also praising 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

Sunday 26 October 2025Today is Sunday the 26th of October, beginning the 30th week of Ordinary Time. IAmSon, Jessica Fox and Paul Zach sing, ‘Total Praise’. Lord, I will lift my eyes to the hills Knowing my help is coming from You Your peace You give me in time of the storm You are the source of my strength You are the strength of my life I lift my hands in total praise to You Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. It looks as though Paul is writing this when he has been sentenced to death; he is in prison, with presumably not much chance of avoiding his fate. How is he coping with this? “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith”. What is Paul’s mood here? Have you ever found yourself feeling this form of consolation? Perhaps it’s something that could help you... Paul uses, as he often does, a sporting metaphor: “the crown of righteousness” is the equivalent in his day to “a gold medal in the Olympics”. Do these metaphors and images help you in some way today? Now listen to the passage as it is read for you once more. Is there anything that you find surprising in it? 2 Timothy 4:6-8 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. “The time off my departure is come: I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith”. How is Paul facing the crisis here? As we end this time of prayer, you might like to ask God for the grace and consolation Paul has been given even during his trials... 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