Compline (night prayer) - Monday, 31 January 2022

When the day has been long and the needs before us many, what can be more blessed than to lay all at the foot of the cross and place ourselves in the arms of God? Compline - such common sense!

Today (31st Jan) the Church celebrates the life and ministry of John Bosco.

Born in 1815 to a peasant family, John Bosco spent most of his life in the area of Turin in Italy. He had a particular call to help young men and pioneered new educational methods, for example, in rejecting corporal punishment.

His work with homeless youths received the admiration even of anticlerical politicians and his promotion of vocational training, including evening classes and industrial schools, became a pattern for others to follow.

To extend the work, he founded in 1859 a religious community, the Pious Society of St Francis de Sales, usually known as the Salesians. It grew rapidly and was well-established in several countries by the time of his death on this day in 1888.

Compline (night prayer) - Sunday, 30 January 2022

Tonight we pray for those we know and those people and places we know of only through the media, asking that you would bring the reconciliation, healing and wholeness that comes through knowing Jesus, the Christ. Amen.

Compline (night prayer) - Saturday, 29 January 2022

As we head towards the presentation - a reminder of redemption, a making flesh of a covenant and a celebration of the light - we pray that we would remember these things in the cross, our baptism and Jesus the light of the world in us. Amen.

Compline (night prayer) Friday, 28 January 2022

Life is like a lake which reflects the light, ripples with the wind and things thrown into it, and has such stillness at times - we give thanks for the variety that is blessing and challenge and lay ourselves abed and into Your arms. Amen

Today (28 Jan) the Church celebrates the life and ministry of Thomas Aquinas

Today the Church celebrates the life and ministry of Thomas Aquinas, a man who has been described as the greatest thinker and teacher of the mediaeval church.

Born at Rocca Secca, near Aquino, in Italy, Thomas was educated first by the Benedictines at Monte Cassino and then at the University of Naples.

Against his family’s wishes, he joined the mendicant Dominican Order of Preachers. His profound theological wisdom and capacity to impart this, as well in homilies as in hymns, along with his gentleness of spirit in dealing with all, earned him the title ‘the angelic doctor’.

He died on 7 March 1274, en route to the Council of Lyons, and his feast has been celebrated on this day since 1970.

Compline (night prayer) - Thursday, 27 January 2022

Today (Holocaust Memorial Day) we reflect on the wickedness that is genocide and commit ourselves to stand for the oppressed and acted against people of all nations.

Lord give us the courage to be the difference. Amen.

Compline (night prayer) - Wednesday, 26 January 2022

Today, in Titus and Timothy, we see those who are different from us and yet, through faith in God are brothers and sisters. We pray for all, near and far off, that we might be one with them in Christ. Amen.

Today (26 Jan) the Church celebrates the ministry and lives of Timothy and Titus

Following the Conversion of St Paul, the Church remembers his two companions, ‘partners and fellow-workers in God’s service’. Timothy, we are told, had a Jewish mother and a Greek father, whilst Titus was wholly Greek.

It was because of Titus that Paul stood out against compulsory circumcision but, to avoid suspicion from other Jews, Timothy was circumcised. They are honoured in the Church for their devotion and faithfulness to the gospel.

Compline (night prayer) Tuesday, 25 January 2022

On this the last day of the Week for Christian Unity we thank you that as we pray, bless and lift one another (and all creation) to You, we close this day in which we too have been blessed. Take us to our beds that we might sleep and tomorrow celebrate your love and life. Amen.

Evening Prayer - Tuesday 25th January 2022

Week of Prayer for Christian unity Day 8

“They left for their own country by another road” (Matthew 2:12)

Beyond the familiar routes of separation to God’s new paths

Today (25 Jan) the Church celebrates the conversion of Paul

The conversion of the anti-Christian zealot, Saul, to the apostle of Christ, Paul, is clearly related in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, but it has to be remembered that this was a beginning:

Saul took some time to become Paul and some time to begin to understand that his call to preach – to Jew and to Gentile – the saving power of Jesus, the Son of God, was something that was a whole life’s journey for him.

Paul says in his Letter to the Church in Galatia, ‘God set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace … Three years after (the Damascus Road conversion), I went up to Jerusalem.’

The preparation for this moment of his conversion was his whole life. This feast has been celebrated in the Church since the sixth century but became universal in the twelfth century.

Compline (night prayer) - Monday, 24 January 2022

Tonight, reflecting on the promise of Isaiah 61 we cry out to God to fill us with His Spirit and use us to bring His kingdom into the lives of those far off, broken and in need.

Bring us rest and tomorrow, lead us to glory in Him. Amen.

Today (24 Jan) the Church celebrates the life and ministry of Francis de Sales

Today the Church celebrates the life and ministry of Francis de Sales who was born in 1567 in the castle at Sales in Savoy. He was educated in Paris and Padua, first as a legal advocate and then as a priest.

His preaching against Calvinism began in 1593 to win back the Chablais to Roman Catholicism, and in 1599 he was appointed Bishop-Coadjutor of Geneva. He moved to Annecy, from where he administered his diocese when he became the diocesan bishop in 1602.

In his preaching and writings, particularly his book Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis concentrated on putting prayer and meditation within the reach of all Christians. He died at Lyons on 28 December 1622 and his body was translated to Annecy on this day in 1623.

Compline (night prayer) - Sunday, 23 January 2022

Day six of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - celebrating the unity that is the Eucharist we give thanks, and pray for, the unity of our physical and spiritual families (and for those outside). Amen.

Compline (night prayer) - Saturday, 22 January 2022

As the people rejoiced at Ezra's reading of the book of the law;

as a body made up of many parts;

rejoicing that Spirit of God is upon us.

We head for bed looking to the joy of Sunday tomorrow. Amen.

Day Five - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (22 January 2022)

“Ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising” (Matthew 2:9) 

 Guided by the one God

 

Compline (night prayer)_ Friday, 21 January 2022

Entering night, we do not fear, but reflect on the courage of Agnes who faced darkness without fear confident of the eternal light awaiting her.

Day Four - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (21 January 2022)

“And you, Bethlehem… are by no means least” (Matthew 2:6)

Though small and suffering, we lack nothing

Today (Jan 21) the Church reflects and honours the martyrdom of Agnes, a child martyr in the year 304.

Agnes is one of the most well-known and widely venerated of the early Roman martyrs, perhaps because of the expression of mature resilience and sheer bravery in a girl of thirteen.

Agnes is reputed to have refused an arranged marriage because of her total dedication to Christ and stated that she preferred even death of the body to the death of her consecrated virginity.

The growing veneration for the state of consecrated virginity at this time, combined with the last major Roman persecution under the emperor Diocletian, climaxing in an innocent virgin-child willingly shedding her blood for Christ, placed her at the forefront of veneration almost from the moment the persecution ended.

She is believed to have died in the year 304 and her feast has ever since been celebrated on this day.

Compline (night prayer) Thursday, 20 January 2022,

So often, whilst seeking purpose, we let the important things of the day slip silently by.

May tomorrow we wait and realise our purpose is in loving God and our neighbours. Amen.

Day Three - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (20 January 2022)

“When king Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:3)

The presence of Christ, turning the world upside down.

Today (20 Jan) the Church celebrates the life and ministry of ...

Richard Rolle was born around 1300 in Thornton in Yorkshire, where he first began to live the hermit life at the age of eighteen, having broken off his education at the University of Oxford.

After moving his hermitage to several other sites, he finally settled close to the Cistercian nuns at Hampole, where he undertook much of his prolific writing on mysticism and asceticism. He wrote in Latin but also produced many texts directly in English and even in the Northumbrian dialect.

His writings were widely influential and he was venerated for at least three hundred years after his death on this day in the year 1349.

Compline (night prayer) - Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Day Two - Week of Prayer for Christian unity sees us recognise the unity of God within us overcoming our struggles and making us whole in Christ. Bring us, and all creation, peace this night. Amen.

Day Two - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (19 January 2022)

"Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2)

Humble leadership breaks down walls and builds up with love

Today (19 Jan) the Church celebrates the ministry and life of ...

Today the Church celebrates the life and ministry of Wulfstan, who was born around the year 1009, Wulfstan’s first twenty-five years after his ordination was spent in the monastery at Worcester.

Against his will, he was elected Bishop of Worcester in 1062 but went on to prove an able administrator and pastor. He carefully and gently nurtured both church and state through the transition from Saxon to Norman rule.

He died at Worcester on this day in the year 1095.

Compline (night prayer) Tuesday, 18 January 2022

Today is the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and so, with the moon shining above us, we pray for our brothers and sisters across the world that they may shine, bless and serve all creation as God's people. Amen.

Day One - Week of prayer for Christian Unity 18 Jan 2022

We observed his star in the East” (Matt 2:2)

 Raise us up and draw us to your perfect light

A prayer service to celebrate Christian Unity and see us reflect, witness and grow together.

Compline (night prayer) - Monday, 17 January 2022

Bringing before the Lord all that has been and giving thanks for the small things of the day, we pray that we would not ignore them in search of the larger things. Keep us faithful, thankful and expectant we pray. Amen.

Today (17 Jan) the Church celebrates the lives and ministries of ...

Today the Church celebrates the lives and ministries of:

Antony (of Egypt) was born around the year 251.

 
He heard the gospel message, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ He was twenty years old and rich, following the death of his parents, but he did as the gospel instructed and went to live in the desert, living an austere life of manual work, charity and prayer.

 
His many spiritual struggles left him both wise and sensible and he became a spiritual guide for many who flocked to him. His simple rule of personal discipline and prayer was taken up and spread throughout Christendom. He died peacefully in the desert in the year 356, asking that he be buried secretly, so that his person might be hidden in death as in life.

And Charles Gore, who was born in 1835.

Gore became one of the most influential of Anglican theologians. He helped reconcile the Church to some aspects of biblical criticism and scientific discovery, yet was Catholic in his interpretation of the faith and sacraments. He was also concerned to bring Catholic principles to bear on social problems.

As an Oxford don and then as a Canon of Westminster, he was renowned for his preaching. In the 1890s, he was the founder – and first leader – of the Community of the Resurrection, which in later years settled at Mirfield in Yorkshire. From 1902, he was successively bishop of Worcester, Birmingham and Oxford.
He was much mourned at his death on this day in 1932.

Compline (night prayer) - Sunday, 16 January 2022

As we reflect on the miracle of water turning to wine, we welcome the transformational power of the Spirit in our own lives and those for whom we pray.

Compline (night prayer) - Friday, 14 January 2022

We are called to be have a childlike faith; a gentle trust in the goodness of God.
Lord, we thank You for the love that redeems, enables and equips us to serve those around us. Bring us sleep and may we wake tomorrow to blessings given and received in You. Amen.

Compline (night prayer) - Thursday, 13 January 2022

Though past, the promise fulfilled made real for us in Jesus at Christmas lives anew every day in the hearts and lives of believers. Help us to share Him with those far off we pray. Amen.

Compline (night prayer) Wednesday, 12 January 2022

Amos 3 tells us, ‘They do not know how to do right, those who store up what they have stolen.’

Lord, give us the courage to oppose wrong and as we wake tomorrow, to stand fearlessly for justice, mercy and right. Amen.

Today (12 January) the Church celebrates the lives and ministries of Aelred and Benedict Biscop

 Aelred was born at Hexham in 1109, entering the Cistercian Order at Rievaulx in about 1133, after spending some years in the court of King David of Scotland he became Abbot of Revesby in 1143 and returned to Rievaulx four years later to become abbot and to spend the remainder of his life.

He was profoundly influential through his spiritual writings, which he began at the request of Bernard of Clairvaux, the two having a similar approach to the spiritual life. Because of this, Aelred was often called ‘the Bernard of the North’. He died on this day at Rievaulx in 1167.

Benedict Biscop, was born a Northumbrian nobleman in 628, serving at the court of King Oswiu of Northumbria until he joined Wilfrid of York on his pilgrimage to Rome to the tombs of the apostles.

He made a second trip accompanied by the King’s son and on his way home was clothed a monk at the Benedictine house of Lérins.

It was on his third trip to Rome that he met and returned to England with Theodore, the newly-appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, who made him Abbot of St Augustine’s in 669.

Five years later, he was permitted to make his own foundation at Wearmouth, which he had built in the Roman style and endowed with a huge library. He encouraged the development of the Uncial script which also acted as a vehicle for the propagation of the Roman Rite. His own scholarship, and that promoted through the religious houses he founded, played a large part in the acceptance of the primacy of Roman over Celtic practice throughout northern England.

Benedict Biscop died on this day in 689.

Compline (night prayer) - Tuesday, 11, January 2022

We live as strangers in this world. As we engage in sleep (that short foray into death) may we realise in the daily resurrection of the new day our dying to self and our rising to serve God and all humanity in His love and life. Amen.

Today (11 January) the Church celebrates the life and ministry of Mary Slessor

Today the Church celebrates the life and ministry of Mary Slessor.

Mary was born into a working-class, Presbyterian family in Aberdeen in 1848. As a child in Dundee, she was enthralled by stories of missions in Africa. For years, she read diligently as she worked in the mills, and in 1875, she was accepted as a teacher for the mission in Calabar, Nigeria.

Her fluency in the local language, physical resilience and lack of pretension endeared her to those to whom she ministered. She adopted unwanted children, particularly twins who would otherwise, according to local superstition, have been put to death. She was influential in organising trade and in settling disputes, contributing much to the development of the Okoyong people with whom she later settled.

She died, still in Africa, on this day in 1915.

Compline (night prayer) - Monday, 10 January 2022

In all that the day has been, as we bring it to its close, we pray we would see in the commonplace and ordinary, Your amazing love and provision in the familiar settings, places and people and would find blessing in them. Amen.

Compline (night prayer) - Sunday, 9 January 2022 (Baptism of Christ)

As we consider the baptism on Christ and the revelation of the Holy Spirit, that He is God's Son, we reflect on our own understanding of our place as children of God.

Compline (night prayer) - Friday, 7 January 2022

This night, bringing all the day has been before the Lord; we pray for those on hearts and minds, for the nations of the world and for peace. As we go to our beds may we know the peace and presence of God. Amen.

Compline (night prayer) - Thursday, 6 January 2022

King of kings and Lord of lords, making the true light to shine: Lighten our darkness now and evermore that with our lips and in our lives we may praise you; for you are our God, now and for ever. Amen.

Compline (night prayer) - Wednesday, 5 January 2022

May the love of the Father, the compassion of the Son and the enabling of the Holy Spirit bring us into the peaceful presence of God and bring healing to those suffering this night.

Compline (night prayer) - Tuesday, 4 January 2022

Grateful for the many blessings that we receive, and sometimes overlook, we thank God for the day that has been and that to come, entrusting ourselves to his grace tonight and always.

Compline (night prayer) - Monday, 3 January 2022

As we look towards the coming year, we commit to God those who are struggling, those who are facing endings or change and entrust all things into his loving care.

Compline (night prayer) Sunday, 2 January 2022

The name: Yeshua (God Saves)
The circumcision (belonging and reminder of freedom from captivity)
The light shines in the darkness (as the magi were drawn to the light, we pray all humanity will be drawn to the light of God: Jesus.