Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Saturday 7 June 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen.    Take a moment to become still and alert to God’s presence, wherever you find yourself today.   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 

Friday 6 June 2025Today is Friday the 6th of June, in the 7th week of Eastertide.    Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘I Love You, Lord’. Can you make these words your own today?     I love You, Lord  And I lift my voice  To worship You  Oh, my soul rejoice  Take joy, my King  In what You hear  May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear  I love You, Lord  And I lift my voice  To worship You  Oh, my soul rejoice  Take joy, my King  In what You hear  May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.    John 21:15-19  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’  This is perhaps a rather tense conversation between Jesus and his leading apostle, since it is not long ago that we heard Simon Peter robustly assert, no less than three times, that he had no idea who Jesus was. How do you think Simon is feeling in the course of this interchange?  Jesus indicates that life is not going to be easy for him; and then says, “Follow me”. Could this command be given to you, do you think? If so, how would you feel about it?  Now listen once more as the passage is read to you.  Notice the instruction that Peter is given as they talk... What does that tell you about the heart of Jesus?  John 21:15-19  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’  Finally, see if you can gather together all the thoughts and feelings that have been operating inside you during this time, and turn them into a prayer. What do you want to pray for at this moment?  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 5 June 2025Today is Thursday the 5th of June, the feast of St Boniface, in the 7th week of Eastertide.    The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing the Benedictus: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel!  He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us.  So his love for our ancestors is fulfilled and his holy covenant remembered. He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes, we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence.”    Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel; quia visitavit et fecit redemptionem plebis suae  et erexit cornu salutis nobis, in domo David pueri sui,  sicut locutus est per os sanctorum, qui a saeculo sunt, prophetarum eius,  salutem ex inimicis nostris, et de manu omnium, qui oderunt nos;  ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris, et memorari testamenti sui sancti,  iusiurandum, quod iuravit ad Abraham patrem nostrum, daturum se nobis,  ut sine timore, de manu inimicorum nostrum liberati, serviamus illi  in sanctitate et iustitia coram ipso omnibus diebus nostris.  Et tu, puer, propheta Altissimi vocaberis: praeibis enim ante faciem Domini parare vias eius,  ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi eius in remissionem peccatorum eorum,  per viscera misericordiae Dei nostri, in quibus visitabit nos oriens ex alto,  illuminare his, qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent, ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis.  Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.    Acts 22:30; 23:6-11  Since [the tribune] wanted to find out what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before them.  When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.’ When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) Then a great clamour arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’ When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.  That night the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’  Paul has noticed that some of his opponents were Sadducees, while others were Pharisees, two groups that were bitterly opposed to each other. How might we preach the gospel by noticing and recognising who we are talking to? How can we adapt in such situations? Perhaps there is a particular group or person in your life at the moment who could benefit from this...  “The Lord stood near him, and said “Keep up your courage”. Have you ever experienced such a whisper from God?  Now listen as the passage is read to you once more. What really strikes you about it, here and now?  When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.’ When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) Then a great clamour arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’ When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.  That night the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’  Finally, just look back over this time of reflection. What thoughts and feelings do you notice arising in yourself? Do you think that you could turn them into a prayer 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

Wednesday 4 June 2025Today is Wednesday the 4th of June, in the 7th week of Eastertide.    The Cape Town Camerata sings, Onse Vader, The Lord’s Prayer. Why not take a moment to pray the Lord’s prayer in your native tongue as you enter into this time with God today?     Ons Vader wat woon  In die hemel  Geheilig sy  U naam  Laat U ryk kom  U wil geskied  Soos in die hemel  So ook op die aarde  Gee ons vandag ons dag se brood  En vergewe al ons skulde  Net soos ons vergewe  Dié wat teen ons sondig  Laat kom ons  Nie in die versoeking, maar verlos ons van die bose  Want U is die ryk  En die sterkte  En die Here  Vir ewig en ewig  Amen  Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.    Acts 20:28-38  Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to warn everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing. You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ’  When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed. There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. Then they brought him to the ship.  Paul is here saying a final farewell to the leaders of the church in Ephesus, whom he has summoned overland for that purpose. He tells them to “shepherd the church of God”. What do you think he means? How would this “shepherding” look to you?   Paul says that “some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them”. Have you ever seen an example of this? You might like to speak to God about this situation...  “There was much weeping among them”. As you listen to the passage again, notice the affection within this community of believers...   Acts 20:28-38  Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to warn everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing. You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ’  When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed. There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. Then they brought him to the ship.  Finally, reflecting on these few minutes of turning reflectively to God, can you bring it all together in the form of a prayer 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 3 June 2025Today is Tuesday the 3rd of June, the feast of St Charles Lwanga and Companions, in the 7th week of Eastertide.    The Choir of Royal Holloway sings, ‘One in Christ’.    When we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home.  Dying and living you declared your love and opened the gate of glory.  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.    John 17:1-11a  After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.  ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.  This reading finds us almost at the end of Jesus’ great discourse to his disciples, on the night before he died, and we find ourselves eavesdropping on the prayer he makes to his Father. Jesus said, “Father – the hour has come”. Imagine you are with Jesus as he says these words... what stirs for you as you hear these words? Not knowing exactly what is to come?   Jesus speaks of “those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word”. Stay with imagining yourself with Jesus here... how does it feel to hear him praying about you?     Now listen as the passage is read to you once more. Does anything in it really touch your heart?  John 17:1-11a  After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.  ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.  Finally, see if you can 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 

Monday 2 June 2025Today is Monday the 2nd of June, in the 7th week of Eastertide.     The community of Taizé sing Frieden, Frieden: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you.    (Lyrics currently unavailable)  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.    John 16:29-33  His disciples said, ‘Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’  In today’s reading, Jesus is talking to his disciples on that sombre occasion of their Last Supper together. Do you think, in the light of this passage, that Jesus’ disciples always understood him? And do you always understand him?    Jesus says to them, “You will be scattered…and you will leave me alone”. To the world, Jesus’ mission might have seemed to be a disastrous failure... Imagine being one of the disciples, not fully knowing what is to come, and hearing Jesus say this... what might your reaction be?     Now listen as the story is read once more. Is there anything that really strikes you this time?  John 16:29-33  His disciples said, ‘Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’  Jesus says to them (and to us, of course), “I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace”. Do you feel peace in the presence of Jesus? Talk with Jesus about this now, or about anything else that has arisen for you in this time of prayer...   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 1 June 2025Today is Sunday the 1st of June, beginning the 7th week of Eastertide. The choir of Portsmouth Cathedral sing Psalm 42 – Like as the Hart desireth the waterbrooks, so longeth my soul after thee, O God. Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks: so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? My tears have been my meat day and night: while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God? Now when I think thereupon, I pour out my heart by myself… …The Lord hath granted his loving-kindness in the day-time: and in the night-season did I sing of him, and made my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto the God of my strength, Why hast thou forgotten me: why go I thus heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me? My bones are smitten asunder as with a sword: while mine enemies that trouble me cast me in the teeth; Namely, while they say daily unto me: Where is now thy God? Why art thou so vexed, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God: for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my God. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Today’s reading is from the Book of the Apocalypse. Apocalypse 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 ‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The end of the book of Revelation contains the ultimate promise of Jesus: ‘I am coming soon’, yet nearly two thousand years have passed since that promise was written. We live in an in-between time of now and not yet. What signs of God’s presence do you detect in your life and in the world? In the reading the risen Jesus offers us ‘the water of life as a gift’. What have you experienced that water of life to be? Everyone who is thirsty is invited to come. What is it that you are thirsty for? As you listen once more to these closing words of the Bible, what thoughts, hopes or desires come to your mind? Take time to allow them to surface. Apocalypse 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 ‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Take time now to respond to the promise and the offer contained in this reading, sharing with God all that is in your mind and heart. 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 31 May 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Today we celebrate the feast of the Visitation, when Mary travelled to visit her cousin Elizabeth after receiving the message of the angel Gabriel and sang her Magnificat in praise of God’s saving power. During this week we have seen how that message of salvation was carried across the Gentile world by Paul on his missionary journey and have stood with the disciples of Jesus as he finally left them to return to his Father before the sending of the Holy Spirit. This has been a lot to contemplate in one short week, but all of it has been a reminder of how God’s power shines through our human weakness and fulfils our deepest longings, beyond every hope or fear. Mary sings of her soul glorifying God and her spirit rejoicing in her Saviour. What gifts or graces are you aware of having received this week for which you want to thank and praise God? Mary is aware of her own limitations yet experiences the power of God working in her. In his missionary journeys, Paul also experienced God as working in him despite his own shortcomings and struggles. How have you experienced this balance between your own capacities and God’s power within your own experience? Do you find yourself able to trust God or are you inclined to focus more on the experience of inability or failure? At his Ascension Jesus promises his disciples that their pain at his loss from the physical world will be turned into joy. Have you been able to experience joy and assurance in your faith, or is it a struggle to believe in the promises of Christ? Jesus encourages his disciples to persevere in asking God for the gifts and graces that they need and Mary sings of a God who feeds us in our hunger. What do you feel you stand in need of at this time? What are the needs of our world? Take time to give voice to those needs and desires to the God who promises to be with us until the end of 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

Friday 30 May 2025Today is Friday the 30th of May, in the 6th week of Eastertide. CalledOut Music sings, ‘Joy’. Where can you find the joy of the Lord in your life today? My Light and salvation, it's You I've got a firm foundation in You, Lord You hold me daily, daily The hope for my soul I'm ever so safe here with You I got Grace everywhere I be With blessings falling on me There's nothing too hard for the God that I serve Tell me why should I be afraid? No matter what comes my way I'll overcome with a smile on my face I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul I feel like dancing, I feel it in my bones I sing, I sing, Lord It feels like a dream 'Cause with You on my team I'm winning Nothing's going to hold me back Nothing's going to stop my praise Nothing's going to keep me silent I'll say it from the rooftops I got grace everywhere I be With blessings falling on me There's nothing too hard for the God that I serve Tell me why should I be afraid? No matter what comes my way I'll overcome with a smile on my face I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul I feel like dancing, I feel it in my bones Joy like a river flowing down, down, down, down… I got joy like a river flowing down, down, down, down… I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 16:20-23 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Jesus speaks of his physical departure from this earth, likening his disciples’ response to the pains of childbirth. What has been born in you from the coming of the God’s Spirit through the rising of Jesus from the dead? Jesus promises that if we ask anything of the Father in his name, it will be given to us, yet we often don’t receive what we ask for in prayer. How do you understand or respond to his words here? Listening again to the reading, notice what strikes you and how you respond to those particular words. John 16:20-23 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Despite the struggles we sometimes face with prayer that appears to go unanswered, Jesus encourages us to place our deep desires before God. What do you want to ask of or say to God at 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

Thursday 29 May 2025Today is Thursday the 29th of May, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, in the 6th week of Eastertide. The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing Viri Galilei, the Antiphon for the Feast of the Ascension. “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? The Lord will return, just as you have seen him ascend. Alleluia.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 24:46-53 And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke says, of the Ascension of Jesus, ‘While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them’. For so many of us this dynamic of presence and absence is a familiar pattern in our relationship with God. Luke speaks of the disciples’ joy, but is this how you feel when Jesus appears to withdraw? Jesus promises to clothe his disciples with power from on high with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Yet the Acts of the Apostles show them to remain ordinary, fallible people. What has been your experience of living in the Spirit? As we hear the reading again, notice where your mind and heart are held. What is it that holds you there? Take time to stay there with God. Luke 24:46-53 And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Jesus tells his disciples that he is sending what the Father promised. Confident in God’s generosity, what special gifts of the Spirit do you want to ask for at 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