Mon

26 Feb

The theme for this week is Authentic Prayer taken from Matthew 6:5-8. Listen to the Bible reading and questions to help you to engage with it. You’ll hear the voice of Barry Graves.

Prayer before Scripture:

Be present Spirit of God as we listen to these words of Scripture.
Open our ears that we may hear the call to embody Christ to the world. Open our minds to be challenged to new ways of thinking and being. Open our hearts that we may be formed for mission in your world. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

At the end of the reading:

Whakarongo ki te kupu a te Wairua ki te Haahi.  Whakapaingia te Atua.

 

Tue

27 Feb

Pick a time before or after work when you would usually be occupied by the TV, Ipad or smart phone. Switch them off for 30 minutes. (If this seems easy, make it for a longer period of time). Every time you reach for the technology, pray this prayer written by the late Rev Brian Hardie:

God, give me one of your moments,
a quiet moment,
a still moment,
a God moment.

When the 30 minutes is up, record your thoughts in your journal.

 

Wed

28 Feb

Often it is hard to find the words for prayer.

Look around you.

Take in your surroundings, the activity (or its absence).
Reflect on what is happening within you.

What is a one-word prayer that responds to this moment in time? Post it to our Facebook Page.

 

Thu

29 Feb

Click here to look at a number of different images of God. Notice which you are drawn to and which you are not. Reflect in your journal about what your preferences might suggest about your understanding of God’s nature. Then choose an unfamiliar image that you are drawn to as you pray this prayer or write your own.

Prayer

God of many names, lover of all peoples,
you are above and beyond all things.
Expand our vision of you that we may see the world through your eyes.
Lead us to prayer which deepens our relationship with you.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Fri

1 Mar

Click here to watch 6 year old Elliot talk about prayer. Thinking about Elliot’s story, what situations in your life might prompt you to pray The Encircling Prayer?

Reflect in your journal and pray the prayer:

Circle me Lord,
keep comfort near,
and discouragement afar,
keep peace within,
and turmoil out. Amen.

 

Sat

2 Mar

Click here to listen to a poem about prayer, written by the late Rev Brian Hardie, along with some questions for reflection.

Click here to read the poem.

You’ll hear the voice of Carole Hughes.

 

Sun

Lent 3

3 Mar

Click here to be led through The Examen.

Concluding Prayer:

God, you call us to serve you with all the strength we have:
you are faithful to those you call;
may Jesus’ resurrection raise us if we stumble,
the Christlight beckon us if we lose our way,
and we shall have strength once more
to walk with you to the cross.
Amen.

Today’s image is the cross on top of the Bishop’s Chapel at Neligan House.