The following prayers may be used for private preparation before the Office. Alternatively, they may be incorporated into the Office and used corporately, with any necessary adjustments.
We adore you, most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here, and in all your churches throughout all the world; and we bless you because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world. Francis of Assisi
This short penitential section may be found a helpful introduction to Evening Prayer when Night Prayer is not being said. It may also be used before Morning Prayer.
Seek the Lord while he may be found,
Call upon him while he is near.
Let the wicked abandon their ways
And the unrighteous their thoughts.
Turn back to the Lord, who will have mercy;
To our God who will richly pardon us.
A time of silence and self-examination may be kept.
Have mercy on us, O God,
according to your loving-kindness:
and in your great compassion
blot out our offences.
Against you only have we sinned:
and done what is evil in your sight.
Purge us from our sin and we shall be pure:
wash us and we shall be clean indeed.
Create in us a clean heart, O God:
and renew a right spirit within us. From Psalm 51
The Lord, who is faithful and just,
forgive us our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Blessèd is the Lord,
For he has heard the voice of our prayer;
Therefore shall our hearts dance for joy
And in our song will we praise our God.
Glory . . .
Evening Prayer continues either in Form A (omitting Psalm 141)
or in Form B with the opening canticle.
Morning Prayer continues with the opening canticle.
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive
everyone indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation. Amen. Luke 11. 2-4