A Compline Prayer
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death.
Morning Office
The sun is like a baby
soft and gentle
around the edges.
So different
from the power of her maturity
only a few hours from now.
But in this moment,
she coos,
and can be wrapped in a blanket.
I flip though pages
sipping coffee
as the cat chases
what is that?
a bug it looks like.
Rearranging ribbons.
Hunting for the collects,
psalms, lectionary,
prayers.
I find one for the child of a friend.
And one for my family.
And this one for the lonely.
And one for you.
Finding my place
among the chorus of the saints.
Locating this day
in the calendar of Eternity.
Ready now for the start of the Office
and the beginning of this day.
Here with the infant sun
the cat and the bug
my family asleep inside
on a lazy Saturday morning.
And the ancient voices
whispering with me.
Beginning, aloud,
voice cracking
stumbling, then righting itself
like a ship at sea
“The Lord is in his holy temple;
let all the earth
keep silence before him.”
I pause
to sip more coffee
grow still
and listen.
Evening Prayers before Retiring: Friday
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked will I return.
The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
O God, come to my aid : O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Kneeling Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God.
silence (or time to confess to God or to one another)
Rebuke me, O Lord, but not in your anger, lest I come to nothing (Jer.10:24).
Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
A candle is lit while during the next song and prayer:
Walk in the light, the beautiful light.
Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night.
Jesus, the light of the world.
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the ever living Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the evening light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
your glory fills the whole world.
in word or song
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. Amen
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers for Others
Following each request: Lord, hear our prayer.
Our Father…
Magnificat, Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46-55)
My soul glorifies the Lord, *
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
The Lord looks on me a lowly servant; henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is God’s name!
God’s mercy is from age to age, on those who are faithful.
God puts forth an arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted.
Casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.
God fills the hungry with good things, sends the rich away empty.
Protecting Israel, God’s servant, remembering mercy,
the mercy promised to our ancestors,
to Abraham, Sarah and their children for ever.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death didst take away the sting of death: grant unto us they servants so to follow in faith where thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in thee, and awake up after thy likeness; for thy tender mercies’ sake.
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may God lead us to eternal life. Amen.
Daily Prayer for January 23
O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Song “All Creatures of Our God and King”
May our feet skip with the mountains : as we sing and dance your praise.
When Israel went out from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became God’s sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.
3 The sea looked and fled;
Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams,
the hills like lambs.
5 Why is it, O sea, that you flee?
O Jordan, that you turn back?
6 O mountains, that you skip like rams?
O hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turns the rock into a pool of water,
the flint into a spring of water.
–Psalm 114 (NRSV)
Hallelujah! When Israel came out of Egypt : the house of Jacob from a -people of strange speech,
Judah became God’s sanctuary : and Israel his dominion.
The sea beheld it and fled : Jordan turned and went back.
The mountains skipped like rams : and the little hills like young sheep.
What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? : O Jordan, that you turned back?
You mountains, that you skipped like rams? : you little hills like young sheep?
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord : at the presence of the God of Jacob,
who turned the hard rock into a pool of water : and flint stone into a flowing spring.
May our feet skip with the mountains : as we sing and dance your praise.
May our feet skip with the mountains : as we sing and dance your praise.
William Law, an eighteenth-century English cleric, wrote, “All that is sweet, delightful, and amiable in this world, in the serenity of the air, the fineness of seasons, the joy of light, the melody of sounds, the beauty of colors, the fragrancy of smells, the splendor of precious stones, is nothing else but Heaven breaking through the veil of this world.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, it is fitting to rejoice in your beauty and to gaze upon your handiwork. While others may call this a waste of time, we recognize that unless we sit in adoration of you, we will forget whom we serve and for what purpose. Remind us why worship is always our first response to you. Amen.
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.
From Common Prayer
The Midday Office For January 12 to Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m
The Call to Prayer (Psalm 149:2)
Let Israel rejoice in his Maker;* let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
The Request for Presence (Psalm 119:27)
Make me understand the way of your commandments,* that I may meditate on your marvelous works.
The Greeting (Psalm 139:16)
How deep I find your thoughts, O God!* how great is the sum of them!
The Refrain for the Midday Lessons (based on Psalm 86:2)
Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;* save your servant whose trust is in you.
A Reading (1 Timothy 6:9–10)
People who long to be rich are a prey to trial; they get trapped into all sorts of foolish and harmful ambitions which plunge people into ruin and destruction. ‘The love of money is the root of all evils’ and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds.
The Refrain
Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;* save your servant whose trust is in you.
The Midday Psalm (Psalm 70:1, 4–6)
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me;* O LORD, make haste to help me. Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;* let those who love your salvation say for ever, “Great is the LORD!” But as for me, I am poor and needy;* come to me speedily, O God. You are my helper and my deliverer;* O LORD, do not tarry.
The Refrain
Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;* save your servant whose trust is in you.
The Cry of the Church
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Prayer Appointed for the Week
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into His Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.†
The Concluding Prayer of the Church
Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a quiet place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil until the end. Amen.
via explorefaith.org -.
Midday Prayer for January 4
Draw us into your love, Christ Jesus : and deliver us from fear.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me so love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.Silence for meditation
Our Father…
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our brothers and sisters throughout the world, who live and die in poverty and pain. Give them today, through our hands, their daily bread and through our understanding love, give peace and joy. Amen
Blessed are the poor.
For theirs is the Kingdom of God.
Blessed are the hungry.
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the meek.
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the pure in heart.
For they shall see God.
Blessed are those who mourn.
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the merciful.
For they shall be shown mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
For they are the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness and justice.
For great is their reward.
Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.
Flood our souls with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly that our lives may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through us, and be so in us, that every soul we come in contact with may feel your presence in our soul. Let them look up and see no longer us but only Jesus! Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine; so to shine as to be a light to others; the light O Jesus, will be all from you, none of it will be ours; it will be you, shining on others through us. Let us thus praise you in the way you love best by shining on those around us. Let us preach you without preaching, not by words but by our example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do. The evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to you. Amen
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bidst me come to Thee
That with Thy saints I may praise Thee
Forever and ever. Amen.
Let us go forth to be the Body of Christ. May we become the hands and feet of Jesus to everyone we meet.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Daily Prayer for Watch Night (December 31)
Watch Night
Established in African-American communities on December 31, 1862, Watch Night is a gathering to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation becoming law. When the clock struck midnight on January 1, 1863, all slaves in the Confederate States were proclaimed free. Since that date 146 years ago, African-Americans have celebrated the good news of freedom in local churches on New Year’s Eve. Like the slaves who first gathered while the Civil War raged on, we proclaim freedom for all captives in -Jesus’ name, knowing that for millions, freedom is not a reality. Our celebration is a commitment to join modern-day slaves and undocumented workers in their struggle for justice.
O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Song “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah”
Shout the glad tidings o’er Egypt’s dark sea : Jehovah has triumphed; his -people are free!
Psalm 150
Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy temple : praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts : praise him for his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the blast of the ram’s horn : praise him with lyre and harp.
Praise him with timbrel and dance : praise him with strings and pipe.
Praise him with resounding cymbals : praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath : praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
Shout the glad tidings o’er Egypt’s dark sea : Jehovah has triumphed; his -people are free!
Isaiah 26:1 – 9 John 8:12 – 19
Shout the glad tidings o’er Egypt’s dark sea : Jehovah has triumphed; his -people are free!
Writing about the first Watch Night, Booker T. Washington said, “As the great day grew nearer, there was more singing in the slave quarters than usual. It was bolder, had more ring, and lasted later into the night. True, they had sung those same verses before, but they had been careful to explain that the ‘freedom’ in these songs referred to the next world, and had no connection with life in this world. Now they gradually threw off the mask; and were not afraid to let it be known that the ‘freedom’ in their songs meant freedom of the body in this world.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, we know that freedom will prevail because you are already victorious. Help us never lose hope, never stop celebrating your victory, and never stop walking alongside those who struggle to see this freedom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.
Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: A Few Ideas
1. Throw a banquet, a really good one with lots of nice food. Invite folks who struggle with homelessness, mental illness, or addiction. Give everyone a chance to share a gift.
2. Do a creative witness outside a shopping mall. And be nice. Invite folks to see that the best things in life are free. Maybe give out free coffee or cookies.
3. Dismantle a bomb. Or dismantle a theological argument that justifies bombs. Or dismantle an ideology of security and consumption that requires bombs.
4. Experiment in creation care by going fuel-free for a week — bike, carpool, or walk.
5. Start a business whose goal is to provide living-wage jobs to persons from economically disinvested neighborhoods.
–Shane Claiborne
Daily Prayer for December 29
O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Come, let us bow down and bend the knee : let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Song “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”
Listen, Lord; listen, Lord : not to our words but to our prayers.
Psalm 143:7 – 11
O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me : do not hide your face from me or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you : show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord : for I flee to you for refuge.
Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God : let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake : for your righteous-ness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.
Listen, Lord; listen, Lord : not to our words but to our prayers.
Isaiah 12:1 – 6 John 7:37 – 52
Listen, Lord; listen, Lord : not to our words but to our prayers.
Origen of Alexandria, a third-century Bible scholar, wrote that “as we — by our prayers — vanquish all the demons that stir up war, and lead to the violation of oaths, and disturb the peace, we in this ser-vice are much more helpful to the kings than those who go into the field to fight for them. None fight better for the king than we do. We do not indeed fight under him, although he demands it; but we fight on his behalf, forming a special army of piety by offering our prayers to God.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, what you call compassion, others call weakness. What you call conviction, others call dissidence. What you call love, others call mixing with sinners. We pray that we too might be found weak, dissident, and in bad company, especially if it means we are closer to you. Amen.
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.
–Shane Claiborne
Daily Prayer for December 26
Stephen of Jerusalem (? – 35)
Stephen was the first in a long line of Christian martyrs. He looked on those who were about to kill him and asked the Lord to forgive them (Acts 7:60). His courageous nonviolence in the face of death resembled that of Christ. It is said that -Jesus sat at the Father’s side after his ascension into heaven, but rose to greet Stephen when he arrived.
O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Song “Woke Up This Mornin’ ”
In the morning when we rise : may your image shine in us.
Psalm 119:164 – 68
Seven times a day do I praise you : because of your righteous judgments.
Great peace have they who love your law : for them there is no stumbling block.
I have hoped for your salvation, O Lord : and I have fulfilled your commandments.
I have kept your decrees : and I have loved them deeply.
I have kept your commandments and decrees : for all my ways are before you.
In the morning when we rise : may your image shine in us.
Isaiah 62:6 – 7, 10 – 12 John 3:31 – 36
In the morning when we rise : may your image shine in us.
Fourth-century church father Gregory of Nazianzus wrote, “God became human and poor for our sake, to raise up our flesh, to recover our divine image, to recreate humanity. We no longer observe distinctions arriving from the flesh, but are to bear within ourselves only the seal of God, by whom and for whom we were created. We are to be so formed and molded by -Jesus that we are recognized as belonging to his one family. If only we could be what we hope to be, by the great kindness of our generous God!”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, your coming is still miraculous. Your joining the family of the poor and displaced still baffles and convicts us. Keep us by your manger until we learn the way of love. Amen.
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm; may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you; may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.
Evening Prayers
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked will I return.
The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
O God, come to my aid : O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Kneeling Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God.
silence (or time to confess to God or to one another)
Rebuke me, O Lord, but not in your anger, lest I come to nothing (Jer.10:24).
Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
A candle is lit while during the next song and prayer:
Walk in the light, the beautiful light.
Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night.
Jesus, the light of the world.
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the ever living Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the evening light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
your glory fills the whole world.
in word or song
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below.
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
We believe in one God the Father, the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being [substance] with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
Prayers for Others
Following each request: Lord, hear our prayer.
Our Father…
[in unison as song, chant, or word]
Christ Song (Philippians 2)
May our minds be like that of Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
Did not regard equality with God
As something to be exploited,
But emptied himself,
Taking the form of a slave,
Being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
He humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death,
Even death on a cross.
Therefore, God also highly exalted him
And gave him the name that is above every name,
So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
In heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
To the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Grant us Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ.
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may God lead us to eternal life. Amen.
–From Common Prayer
Evening Prayer
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked will I return.
The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
O God, come to my aid : O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Kneeling Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God.
silence (or time to confess to God or to one another)
Rebuke me, O Lord, but not in your anger, lest I come to nothing (Jer.10:24).
Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
A candle is lit while during the next song and prayer:
Walk in the light, the beautiful light.
Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night.
Jesus, the light of the world.
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the ever living Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the evening light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
your glory fills the whole world.
in word or song
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below.
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers for Others
Following each request: Lord, hear our prayer.
Our Father…
[in unison as song, chant, or word]
Magnificat, Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46-55)
My soul glorifies the Lord, *
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
The Lord looks on me a lowly servant; henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is God’s name!
God’s mercy is from age to age, on those who are faithful.
God puts forth an arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted.
Casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.
God fills the hungry with good things, sends the rich away empty.
Protecting Israel, God’s servant, remembering mercy,
the mercy promised to our ancestors,
to Abraham, Sarah and their children for ever.
Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of you Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may God lead us to eternal life. Amen.
**From Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals**
A Midday Prayer
+ In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening Sentences
Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.
Establish Thou the work of our hands;
establish Thou the work of our hands.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil. Amen
Declaration of faith
We believe and trust in God the Father Almighty.
We believe and trust in Jesus Christ His Son.
We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit.
We believe and trust in the Three in One.
Canticle
Teach us, dear Lord, to number our days;
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Oh, satisfy us early with Thy mercy,
that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us;
and establish Thou the work of our hands.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us;
and establish Thou the work of our hands, dear Lord.
Blessing
Let nothing disturb thee,
nothing affright thee;
all things are passing,
God never changeth!
Patient endurance attaineth to all things;
who God possesseth
in nothing is wanting;
alone God sufficeth.
+ In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Morning Prayers for Sunday
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences
One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.
Call: Who is it that you seek?
Response: We seek the Lord our God.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your heart?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your soul?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your mind?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your strength?
Response: Amen. Christ, have mercy.
Declaration of faith
To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life,
and we have believed and have come to know
that You are the Holy One of God.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ,
King of endless glory
Psalm 26:3 For your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
Jeremiah 31:22 How long will you wander, O unfaithful daughter? The LORD will create a new thing on earth– a woman will surround a man.
John 13:23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
I am no longer my own, but Thine.
Put me to what Thou wilt,
rank me with whom Thou wilt;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for Thee
or laid aside for Thee;
let me be exalted for Thee,
or brought low for Thee;
let me be full, let me be empty;
let me have all things,
let me have nothing;
I freely and heartily yield all things
to Thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Thou art mine, and I am Thine.
So be it.
And the covenant
which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
Prayers for others
Canticle
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Compline for Friday
* O Lord, You will keep us safe
and protect us forever.
I am placing my soul and my body
in Thy safe keeping this night, O God,
in Thy safe keeping, O Jesus Christ,
in Thy safe keeping, O Spirit of perfect truth.
The Three who would defend my cause
be keeping me this night from harm.
* I call on You, O God,
for You will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.
* Show the wonder of Your great love,
You who save by Your right hand
those who take refuge in You from their foes.
* Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Lighten my darkness, Lord.
Let the light of Your presence
dispel the shadows of night.
* Christ with me sleeping,
Christ with me waking,
Christ with me watching,
each day and each night.
* Save us, Lord, while we are awake,
guard us while we are asleep;
that, awake, we may watch with Christ,
and, asleep, may rest in His peace.
God with me protecting,
the Lord with me directing,
the Spirit with me strengthening
for ever and for evermore.
* In the name of the Father precious,
and of the Spirit of healing balm.
In the name of the Lord Jesus,
I lay me down to rest.
The peace of all peace
be mine this night
+ in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Boisil Compline: Boisil, Prior of Melrose Abbey, died in 661. Bede described him as a ‘priest of great virtue and prophetic spirit.’ Boisil, on his first meeting with Cuthbert, who was to be his pupil, exclaimed, ‘Behold, the servant of the Lord!’ – recognizing the call of God on the young man’s life.
The Divine Hours
There are many ways to pray and yet people seem scared to step out of the ordinary. I know in the Protestant tradition, people seem to expect someone to offer a long prayer but I believe there are so many other ways to pray. If you regularly read my positing, you will know I come from a mixed faith background and use many methods in my prayer life. I want to introduce you to The Divine Hours or the Daily Office.
People have prayed at fixed hours during the day for centuries. Quietly easing away from the obligations of home or work, they take a few moments to spend time with God. These moments connect them to the Divine, and to the countless others who are also pausing to pray the prayers designated for that hour, on that day. Prayers whispered and chanted, spoken loud and clear or murmured silently within, all join together in a continuous flow, a river of words from our soul to God’s. The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle is a manual for fixed-hour prayer. It presents the prayers to be prayed at the divine hours of every day: Morning prayers, for prayer between 6 and 9; midday prayers for praying between 11 and 2; and evening prayers to pray between 5 and 8, and help us gently close the day. Praying the hours enjoins us to stop, let go of all that occupies us, and focus on the sacred at regular intervals throughout the day. Suddenly, every day becomes holy, for every day is laced together by our appointments with God.
You can join in the Divine Hours by going to ExploreFaith.org and choosing your time zone. If you are on Twitter, you can follow the Virtual Abbey (@Virtual_Abbey) and share in the Daily Office in the morning and evening. Try it and you may life it.
