Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Friday 6 March 2026 - Surrender and trust

Friday 6 March 2026Today is Friday the 6th of March, in the second week of Lent. Eliza King sings, ‘I Shall Not Want’. Wherever you are now, look around you. Where can you see God active in some way? Can you take this time to place your trust for today in God’s hands of love? I shall not want I shall not want For where He leads me to lie There's always green pastures, blue sky And where He leads me to rest Oh the water's quiet there The whole word is quiet there I shall not want I shall not want For when the valley is deep And death is like a shadow taunting me There is no need to fear For the Shepherd is no stranger here He will lead me to the clear And He restores my soul And His kindness keeps me close In the chaos and the noise He's the still, small voice I shall not want I shall not want For He invites me to know The abundance of His table And I am seated in view Of every valley that we walked through And He restores my soul And awakens buried hope In the chaos and the noise He's the still, small voice You fill my cup till it overflows I want for nothing, I want for nothing All through my life, every season shows Goodness and mercy follow behind me You fill my cup till it overflows I want for nothing, I want for nothing All through my life, every season shows Goodness and mercy follow behind me The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want Up on His shoulders He carries me home Carries me home Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 21:33-43 ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. In today’s scripture, Jesus tells a parable to those who do not believe in him. A story can be a wonderful way of teaching. Let us join the observers. The people would recognise the scene in the vineyard. The landowner values his property; it is carefully prepared and entrusted to the tenants. Notice the tenants. Notice their confidence, their familiarity with the place, their sense of ownership. Now imagine the servants arriving. Then the son. Let the scene unfold without rushing. Where are you in the parable today? What emotions surface? Where do you recognise yourself - and perhaps resist that recognition? “They will respect my son.” On the contrary, the tenants believed that they were the owners; they deserved the respect. Are there places in your life that you have claimed as your own and not recognised the Lord? As you listen to the passage again, consider how you might hand back those parts of your life in surrender and trust. Matthew 21:33-43 ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” For the final part of this prayer, let Jesus bring you to one side, alone with him, and share your thoughts with him. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Thursday 5 March 2026 - Blessed are those who trust in the Lord

Thursday 5 March 2026Today is Thursday the 5th of March, in the second week of Lent. To help us enter into prayer today, we will hear the song Imbere Yanje, by Judah Earl, sung in Rundi: ‘Answer me my God, for it is to you that I pray...I called to the Lord, He heard my cry...I have no one else but you Father... I have placed the Lord ever before me.’ Let the beauty of this song of prayer wash over you, and place the Lord 'ever before' you as you listen... Unyishure Mwami wanje Kuko ari wewe nsenga N’bariye Uhoraho Ijwi ryanje uranyuvma Unyishure Mwami wanje Kuko ari wewe nsenga Ntawundi mfise atari wewe Data Ntamugisha mfise atari wewe S’mfise ichiza inyuma yawe Nashize imana imbere yanje Nashize imana imbere yanje Ntawundi mfise atari wewe Data Ntamugisha mfise atar’ wewe s’mfise ichiza unyuma yawe Nashize imana imbere yanje Answer me my God For it is to you that I pray I called to the Lord He heard my cry Answer me my Lord For it is to you that I pray I have no one else but you Father I have no one else but you I have no good apart from you I have placed the lord ever before me I have placed the lord ever before me I have no one else but you Father I have no blessing apart from you I have no good apart from you I have placed the lord ever before me Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 17:5-10 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. In today’s reading, Jeremiah calls to mind two kinds of people. Imagine walking through a desert landscape. Take notice of the heat, the breeze, the ground underfoot. You pause at a change in the terrain. “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings… Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” To one side, a desert shrub turns in on itself - branches brittle, surviving on shallow roots, awaiting rain that may never come. To the other side, a sister plant stands tall near running water, roots deep, filled with life. Ask yourself, gently and honestly: Which plant resembles your inner life right now? What voices shape your life? Notice that the barren plant carries no guilt - it is misplaced, starved of what it needs. It has trusted soil that cannot sustain it. Misplaced trust slowly dries the heart. What does it mean to be in touch with a greater truth: God’s wisdom and love? As we hear the passage again, consider where your roots are shallow and what brings you close to living water. Jeremiah 17:5-10 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord.” In this time of prayer, offer your needs to the Lord and rest in God’s blessing. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Wednesday 4 March 2026 - On the third day he will be raised

Wednesday 4 March 2026Today is Wednesday the 4th of March, in the second week of Lent. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing: ‘The Lord Jesus emptied himself for us, therefore God has exalted him above all things.’ Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Today, there will be no repeat of the scripture. Matthew 20:17-28 While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.’ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’ When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Sometimes in Scripture, it helps to step inside the scene. They have always walked. The road to Jerusalem is well worn; relentless heat, dust rising beneath the feet of animals, pilgrims, and merchants; the jangle of heavy carts; the bleating of sheep and goats—all drawn toward the great city. Yet Jesus walks with a particular purpose, a steady rhythm in his stride. How do you experience this journey? “We are going up to Jerusalem…” Of course we are. But what follows - betrayal, condemnation, mockery, scourging, death - the response of his friends is left unspoken. How do you receive this shadowed prophecy? Do you notice the quiet, resolute promise: “…and on the third day he will be raised.” Almost at once, another voice breaks in: ambition. A mother asking for honour for her sons. Feel the strain in the air. Jesus speaks of suffering; they speak of glory. Are there moments when you follow Jesus - yet still bargain over the path? Jesus asks: “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” His words are not meant to wound. They simply name the truth of the cost. What is the “cup” set before you now? How do you meet this question? Jesus gathers them all close. “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant… just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus will offer his whole life so that every person might know freedom and fullness of life. We are invited into the same unfolding journey. Imagine Jesus asking you, this Lent, to choose your place. What kind of freedom might be waiting there? You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Tuesday 3 March 2026 - Learn to do good

Tuesday 3 March 2026Today is Tuesday the 3rd of March, in the second week of Lent. The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing Attende Domine: 'Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against you.' As you sit here and listen to this ancient chant, which has been sung for generations, pause to remind yourself that God is present here, a God of forgiveness, gracious and loving, slow to anger, abounding in goodness. Take this moment to recognise God’s presence here, and to place yourself and all your cares in God’s loving hands. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Imagine how would it feel to see Isaiah standing there in Jerusalem. The people of the holy city being compared to the ancient wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah... Enough to get your attention? Your outrage? Now hear God speaking directly to you. This is not rejection but God seeking reconciliation. “Wash yourselves. Make yourselves clean.” Where do you feel resistance? Where do you feel a response? ‘Come now’ – this is an invitation – become people of justice. This is a God who invites conversation, who believes change is possible. Are you willing? As you listen to the passage again, consider what might God make new in you this Lent 'if you are willing and obedient'? Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow.” As this time of prayer draws to a close, share with the Lord your willingness to hear his word. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Monday 2 March 2026 - Forgive, and you will be forgiven

Monday 2 March 2026Today is Monday the 2nd of March, in the second week of Lent. The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Blessed Are The Merciful’. Blessed are the merciful For they shall receive mercy, mercy Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us Lord have mercy on us Show Your mercy through us Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 6:36-38 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. This passage from Luke’s Sermon on the Plain, though short, gives much to reflect on. Imagine that you are among the crowd hearing these words. Feel the atmosphere, the sense of the crowd; hear the murmur of others as they respond to Jesus’ words. Hear his instruction: “Be merciful… Do not judge… Do not condemn… Forgive… Give. Be aware of your response. Which words land gently - and which unsettle you? Jesus offers a comparison: “As your Father is merciful.” You are asked to show mercy, but first you are reminded of God’s mercy. Consider times in your life when you have experienced that mercy - or perhaps you find it hard to believe that this applies to you. Then come the words - judgment, condemnation, withholding. Who comes to mind when you hear them? Simply notice what rises in your heart. Jesus then speaks of a measure - pressed down, shaken together, running over. What if God took the measure you use for others? How does that image make you feel? As you listen to the passage again, think about mercy - not as an ideal, but how it feels in your life. Luke 6:36-38 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” As this time of prayer draws to a close, share with Jesus your response to his words. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen