Morning Prayer | Midday Prayer | Evening Prayer | Night Prayer
O Lord, open our lips;
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessèd are you, Lord our God, redeemer and king of all;
to you be glory and praise for ever!
From the waters of chaos you drew forth the world,
and in your great love, fashioned us in your image.
[Now, through the deep waters of death
you have brought your people to new birth
by raising your Son to life in triumph.]
May we, the first-fruits of your new creation,
rejoice in this new day you have made;
may Christ your light ever dawn in our hearts
as we offer you our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
Blessèd be God for ever!
The following is said:
God is the creator and redeemer of all.
O come, let us worship.
Or, in Eastertide:
Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed.
O come, let us worship. Alleluia!
Or, on feasts of Group Commemorations:
(Alleluia!) Christ is the ruler of the nations.
O come, let us worship. (Alleluia!)
Morning Prayer continues with the opening canticle.
OR:
O Lord, open our lips;
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Lead your people to freedom, O God,
And banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
Glory . . .
Alleluia!
THE OPENING CANTICLE Either: A SONG OF JOY
| 1 |
Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands;* serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. | ||
| 2 |
Know this: the Lord himself is God;* he himself has made us and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. | ||
| 3 |
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise;* give thanks to him and call upon his name. | ||
| 4 |
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;* and his faithfulness endures from age to age. | ||
|
Or: THE EASTER ANTHEMS
| 1 |
Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us,* so let us celebrate the feast, | ||
| 2 |
Not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness* but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. | ||
| 3 |
Christ once raised from the dead dies no more;* death has no more dominion over him. | ||
| 4 |
In dying, he died to sin once for all;* in living, he lives to God. | ||
| 5 |
See yourselves, therefore, as dead to sin* and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. | ||
| 6 |
Christ has been raised from the dead;* the first fruits of those who sleep. | ||
| 7 |
For since by one man came death,* by another has come also the resurrection of the dead, | ||
| 8 |
For as in Adam all die,* even so in Christ shall all be made alive. | ||
|
Number 33 is also an alternative opening canticle.
A HYMN may be sung.
THE OPENING PRAYER may be said.
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind:
(Silence may be kept)
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
THE PSALMODY
| On Sundays | In Eastertide | ||
| Week 1: | 118, 117 | Sun: | 118, 117 |
| 2: | 81, 117 | Mon: | 81, 150 |
| 3: | 135, 117 | Tue: | 135, 146 |
| 4: | 139, 117 | Wed: | 139, 147. 13-21 |
| 5: | 33, 117 | Thu: | 33, 148 |
| 6: | 30, 117 | Fri: | 30, 147. 1-12 |
| 7: | 66, 117 | Sat: | 66, 149 |
Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:
Glory . . .
If there are two SCRIPTURE READINGS, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the second canticle. [lectionary]
Either: A SONG OF GOD’S REIGN (23)
| Refrain: | See what the Lord our God has done* and exalt him in the sight of the living. | ||
| 1 |
Blessèd be God, who lives for ever,* whose reign endures throughout all ages. | ||
| 2 |
Declare God’s praise before the nations,* you who are the children of Israel. | ||
| 3 |
For if our God has scattered you among them,* there too has he shown you his greatness. | ||
| 4 |
Exalt him in the sight of the living,* because he is our God and our Father for ever. | ||
| 5 |
Though God punishes you for your wickedness,* mercy will be shown to you all. | ||
| 6 |
God will gather you from every nation,* from wherever you have been scattered. | ||
| 7 |
When you turn to the Lord with all your heart and soul,* God will hide his face from you no more. | ||
| 8 |
See what the Lord has done for you* and give thanks with a loud voice. | ||
| 9 |
Praise the Lord of righteousness* and exalt the King of the ages. | ||
| |||
|
See what the Lord our God has done* and exalt him in the sight of the living. |
Or: THE SONG OF MOSES & MIRIAM (1)
| Refrain: | In your unfailing love, O Lord,* you lead the people whom you have redeemed. | ||
| 1 |
I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously;* the horse and his rider have been thrown into the sea. | ||
| 2 |
The Lord is my strength and my song* and has become my salvation. | ||
| 3 |
This is my God whom I will praise* the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. | ||
| 4 |
The Lord fights for his people,* the Lord is his name. | ||
| 5 |
Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power:* your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. | ||
| 6 |
At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them;* they sank as lead in the mighty waters. | ||
| 7 |
In your unfailing love, O Lord,* you lead the people whom you have redeemed, | ||
| 8 |
And by your invincible strength* you will guide them to your holy dwelling. | ||
| 9 |
You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord,* in the sanctuary which your hands have established. | ||
| |||
|
In your unfailing love, O Lord,* you lead the people whom you have redeemed. |
Number 34 is also an alternative canticle.
On feasts of Group Commemorations, numbers 18 & 28 are alternative canticles.
A RESPONSORY may be said.
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead
And Christ shall give you light.
You have died,
and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead.
Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on the earth.
And Christ shall give you light.
When Christ our life appears
you will appear with him in glory.
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,
and Christ shall give you light.
See either separate card or inside front cover.
| Refrain: | This is the day that the Lord has made;* let us rejoice and be glad in it. |
| Or, in Eastertide: | |
|
Alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead;* by his death he has trampled down death and through the grave all life has been set free. Alleluia! | |
| Or, on feasts of Group Commemorations: | |
|
Give glory to God, all you people of God;* let the hearts that seek their Maker rejoice. | |
The refrain is repeated after the canticle.
THE KYRIES may be used as responses to intercession (and see pages 249 to 263).
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
THE COLLECT of the day, or one of the following.
Almighty and everlasting God,
we thank you that you have brought us safely
to the beginning of this day.
Keep us from falling into sin
or running into danger,
order us in all our doings
and guide us to do always
what is righteous in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . 2*
Or:
Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity. Amen. 3
THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.
[Rejoicing in God’s new creation,
let us pray as our Redeemer has taught us:]
|
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, 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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever.] Amen. |
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. [For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.] Amen. |
On all Sundays, A CANTICLE OF PRAISE may conclude the Office:
Or: BENEDICITE, page 210, number 34;
Or: GLORIA IN EXCELSIS, page 231, number 61.
The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Or, in Eastertide:
May the risen Christ grant us the joy of eternal life. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory . . .
Alleluia! (Omitted in Lent)
A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.
To God our Father, thanks and praise
For this, the first and dawn of days:
The day when through your word of might
From chaos was created light.
The day on which your well-loved Son
O’er death and hell the triumph won;
The day on which the Spirit came,
Your gift to us, in wind and flame.
To you, our Father, through your Son,
And in the Spirit, Three in One:
We, new-created on this day,
New songs of love and glory pay. Amen.
THE PSALMODY
Either:
PSALM 119. 1-32
| 1 |
Happy are they whose way is blameless,* who walk in the law of the Lord! |
| 2 |
Happy are they who observe his decrees* and seek him with all their hearts! |
| 3 |
Who never do any wrong,* but always walk in his ways. |
| 4 |
You laid down your commandments,* that we should fully keep them. |
| 5 |
O that my ways were made so direct* that I might keep your statutes! |
| 6 |
Then I should not be put to shame,* when I regard all your commandments. |
| 7 |
I will thank you with an unfeigned heart,* when I have learned your righteous judgements. |
| 8 |
I will keep your statutes;* do not utterly forsake me. |
| * * * | |
| 9 |
How shall the young cleanse their way?* By keeping to your words. |
| 10 |
With my whole heart I seek you;* let me not stray from your commandments. |
| 11 |
I treasure your promise in my heart,* that I may not sin against you. |
| 12 |
Blessèd are you, O Lord;* instruct me in your statutes. |
| 13 |
With my lips will I recite* all the judgements of your mouth. |
| 14 |
I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees* than in all manner of riches. |
| 15 |
I will meditate on your commandments* and give attention to your ways. |
| 16 |
My delight is in your statutes;* I will not forget your word. |
| * * * | |
| 17 |
Deal bountifully with your servant,* that I may live and keep your word. |
| 18 |
Open my eyes, that I may see* the wonders of your law. |
| 19 |
I am a stranger here on earth;* do not hide your commandments from me. |
| 20 |
My soul is consumed at all times* with longing for your judgements. |
| 21 |
You have rebuked the insolent;* cursed are they who stray from your commandments! |
| 22 |
Turn from me shame and rebuke,* for I have kept your decrees. |
| 23 |
Even though rulers sit and plot against me,* I will meditate on your statutes. |
| 24 |
For your decrees are my delight,* and they are my counsellors. |
| * * * | |
| 25 |
My soul cleaves to the dust;* give me life according to your word. |
| 26 |
I have confessed my ways and you answered me;* instruct me in your statutes. |
| 27 |
Make me understand the way of your commandments,* that I may meditate on your marvellous works. |
| 28 |
My soul melts away for sorrow;* strengthen me according to your word. |
| 29 |
Take from me the way of lying;* let me find grace through your law. |
| 30 |
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;* I have set your judgements before me. |
| 31 |
I hold fast to your decrees;* O Lord, let me not be put to shame. |
| 32 |
I will run the way of your commandments,* for you have set my heart at liberty. |
Or:
PSALM 121
| 1 |
I lift up my eyes to the hills;* from where is my help to come? |
| 2 |
My help comes from the Lord,* the maker of heaven and earth. |
| 3 |
He will not let your foot be moved* and he who watches over you will not fall asleep. |
| 4 |
Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel* shall neither slumber nor sleep; |
| 5 |
The Lord himself watches over you;* the Lord is your shade at your right hand, |
| 6 |
So that the sun shall not strike you by day,* nor the moon by night. |
| 7 |
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;* it is he who shall keep you safe. |
| 8 |
The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in,* from this time forth for evermore. |
PSALM 122
| 1 |
I was glad when they said to me,* ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ |
| 2 |
Now our feet are standing* within your gates, O Jerusalem. |
| 3 |
Jerusalem is built as a city* that is at unity with itself. |
| 4 |
To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,* the assembly of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord. |
| 5 |
For there are the thrones of judgement,* the thrones of the house of David. |
| 6 |
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:* ‘May they prosper who love you. |
| 7 |
‘Peace be within your walls* and quietness within your towers. |
| 8 |
‘For my family and companions’ sake,* I pray for your prosperity. |
| 9 |
‘Because of the house of the Lord our God,* I will seek to do you good.’ |
Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:
Glory . . .
THE READING (Creation and New Creation)
| Week 1: | Gen 2. 2-3 or Heb 4. 9-11a; leisure & sabbath |
| 2: | Job 38. 4-7 or Ps 68. 15-16; the elements |
| 3: | Gen 1. 24-25 or Job 39. 19-25; animals |
| 4: | Matt 6. 28-30 or Song of Songs 2. 11-13; plants |
| 5: | Ps 19. 1-4 or Rom 8. 19-21; the universe |
| 6: | Gen 2. 19-20 or Ps 8. 4-8; stewardship over creation |
| 7: | Col 1. 15-17 or Isa 55. 12; harmony with creation |
|
Or, the short reading: Wisdom says: I was beside him like a little child, and I was daily his delight, playing in his presence continually, rejoicing in the inhabited world and delighting in the human race. |
| Proverbs 8. 30-31 |
THE RESPONSE. Either:
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
The leopard lie down with the kid;
The calf and the lion together,
And a little child shall lead them.
They will not hurt or destroy
On all my holy mountain.
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of God
As the waters cover the sea.
Or:
Blessèd are you, O God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
We give you praise and honour for ever.
For you have loved us from all eternity,
And remembered us when we were in trouble.
Blessèd are you, Lord Jesus Christ,
Who, for our salvation, came down from heaven.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
You became incarnate of the Virgin Mary.
You loosed us from our sins by your own blood:
And on the third day rose from the dead.
You ascended up on high,
And opened wide for us the everlasting doors.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father
And ever live to intercede for us.
Blessèd are you, O God: Source of all being,
eternal Word and Spirit of life;
We give you praise and honour for ever.
THE KYRIES may be used as responses to intercession (and see pages 249 to 263).
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.
Maker of all,
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image:
may we discern your hand in all your works
and serve you with reverence and thanksgiving;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit
reigns supreme over all things
now and for ever. Amen. 28
Or:
Almighty and eternal God,
strengthen our faith, we pray,
so that in this world
we may firmly believe and truly proclaim
the Holy Trinity
and in the world to come know you perfectly
and with joy behold you face to face;
for you live and reign, one God,
now and for ever. Amen. 28
THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.
[Rejoicing in God’s new creation,
let us pray as our Redeemer has taught us:]
Our Father in heaven, Or Our Father, who art in heaven,
May God who made both heaven and earth bless us. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A light, which may be the Paschal Candle, is brought in, or a candle may simply be lit. From Easter to Pentecost, the Paschal Candle may be burning in its customary place.
You, O Lord, are my lamp; you turn our darkness into light.
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you all
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
Who is worthy of all thanksgiving and praise.
Blessèd are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation;
to you be glory and praise for ever!
[You led your people to freedom
by a pillar of cloud by day
and a pillar of fire by night.]
May we who walk in the light of your presence
acclaim your Christ, rising victorious,
as he banishes all darkness from our hearts and minds,
and praise you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
Blessèd be God for ever!
While the other candles are lit the following or another suitable hymn may be sung.
A SONG OF THE LIGHT (59)
| 1 |
O gladsome light, O grace Of God the Father’s face, The eternal splendour wearing; Celestial, holy, blest, Our Saviour Jesus Christ, Joyful in your appearing. |
| 2 |
As day fades into night, We see the evening light, Our hymn of praise outpouring: Father of might unknown, Christ, his incarnate Son, and Holy Spirit, adoring. |
| 3 |
To you of right belongs All praise of holy songs, O Son of God, Lifegiver; You, therefore, O Most High, The world will glorify, And shall exalt for ever. |
Verses from PSALM 141 may be said:
Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord,
and guard the door of my lips.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Let not my heart incline to any evil thing;
let me not be occupied in wickedness.
But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God,
in you I take refuge;
do not leave me defenceless.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
THE OPENING PRAYER may be said:
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
so may your mercy come down upon us
to cleanse our hearts
and set us free to sing your praise,
now and for ever. Amen.
Evening Prayer continues with the psalmody.
OR:
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Lead your people to freedom, O God,
And banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
Glory . . .
Alleluia!
A SONG OF WORSHIP
| 1 |
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,* you that stand by night in the house of the Lord. | ||
| 2 |
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord;* the Lord who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion. | ||
|
A HYMN may be sung.
THE OPENING PRAYER may be said.
May we, Lord,
who walk in the light of your presence
acclaim your Christ, rising victorious,
as he banishes all darkness
from our hearts and minds,
now and for ever. Amen.
| On Sundays | In Eastertide | ||
| Week 1: | 113, 114 | Sun: | 113, 114 |
| 2: | 115 | Mon: | 115 |
| 3: | 105 (1-22 or 23-45) | Tue: | 105 (1-22 or 23-45) |
| 4: | 103 | Wed: | 103 |
| 5: | 136 | Thu: | 136 |
| 6: | 107 (1-32 or 33-43) | Fri: | 107 (1-32 or 33-43) |
| 7: | 116 | Sat: | 116 |
Each psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:
Glory . . .
If there are two SCRIPTURE READINGS, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the second canticle. [lectionary]
Either: A SONG OF THE HEAVENLY CITY (57)
| Refrain: | By the river stood the tree of life,* with healing for all the nations. |
| 1 |
I saw no temple in the city,* for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. |
| 2 |
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it,* for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. |
| 3 |
By its light the nations shall walk,* and the rulers of the earth shall bring their glory. |
| 4 |
Its gates shall never be shut by day, nor shall there be any night;* they shall bring into it the glory and honour of the nations. |
| 5 |
I saw the river of the water of life, bright as crystal,* flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. |
| 6 |
And either side of the river stood the tree of life, yielding its fruit each month,* and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. |
| 7 |
The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be there, and his servants shall worship him;* and they shall see God’s face and his name shall be on their foreheads. |
|
To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb* be blessing and honour and glory and might, for ever and ever. Amen. | |
| From Revelation 21 & 22 | |
|
By the river stood the tree of life,* with healing for all the nations. |
Or: A SONG OF FAITH (48)
| Refrain: | God raised Christ from the dead,* the Lamb without spot or stain. | ||
| 1 |
Blessèd be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,* who in his great mercy gave us a new birth as his children. | ||
| 2 |
He has raised Jesus Christ from the dead,* so that we have a sure hope in him. | ||
| 3 |
We have the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt,* because it is kept for us in heaven. | ||
| 4 |
The ransom that was paid to free us* was not paid in silver or gold, | ||
| 5 |
But in the precious blood of Christ,* the Lamb without spot or stain. | ||
| 6 |
God raised him from the dead and gave him glory* so that we might have faith and hope in God. | ||
| |||
|
God raised Christ from the dead,* the Lamb without spot or stain. |
On feasts of Group Commemorations, numbers 47 & 49 are alternative canticles.
A RESPONSORY may be said.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
the Lord is the strength of my life.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
the Lord is the strength of my life.
The light shines in the darkness
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The Lord is the strength of my life.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
the Lord is the strength of my life.
See either separate card or inside front cover.
| Refrain: | Yours is the day, O Lord, and yours is the night;* let Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, abide in our hearts for ever. |
| Or, in Eastertide: | |
|
Alleluia! Mary of Magdala said to the disciples, I have seen the Lord!* The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! | |
| Or, on feasts of Group Commemorations: | |
|
Look on those who revere you, O God,* on those who trust in your merciful love. | |
The refrain is repeated after the canticle.
THE KYRIES may be used as responses to intercession (and see pages 249 to 263).
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
THE COLLECT of the day, or one of the following.
Grant to us, Lord, we pray,
the spirit to think and do always
such things as be rightful;
that we, who cannot do anything that is good without you
may by you be enabled to live
according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . 2*
Or:
God,
through the mighty resurrection
of your Son, Jesus Christ,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your love:
grant that, as he was raised from the dead
so we may walk in newness of life
and seek those things which are above;
where with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit,
he is alive and reigns,
now and for ever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.
[Rejoicing in God’s new creation,
let us pray as our Redeemer has taught us:]
|
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, 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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever.] Amen. |
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. [For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.] Amen. |
On Sundays, ‘A Thanksgiving for Baptism’ may be used, page 238.
Or:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Or, in Eastertide:
May the risen Christ grant us the joy of eternal life. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.
A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.
Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
Or:
Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory . . .
Alleluia!
A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.
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 under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
Ordinary Doxology
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. Amen.
Easter Doxology
All praise be yours, O risen Lord,
From death to endless life restored;
Whom, with the Father, we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore. Amen.
THE PSALMODY
FROM PSALM 104
| 1 |
Bless the Lord, O my soul;* O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness! |
| 2 |
You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above;* you make the clouds your chariot; you ride on the wings of the wind. |
| 3 |
You make the winds your messengers* and flames of fire your servants. |
| 4 |
You send the springs into the valleys;* they flow between the mountains. |
| 5 |
All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them,* and the wild asses quench their thirst. |
| 6 |
Beside them the birds of the air make their nests* and sing among the branches. |
| 7 |
You water the mountains from your dwelling on high;* the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works. |
| 8 |
You make grass grow for flocks and herds* and plants to serve us all; |
| 9 |
Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number,* creatures both small and great. |
| 10 |
All of them look to you* to give them their food in due season. |
| 11 |
You give it to them, they gather it;* you open your hand, and they are filled with good things. |
| 12 |
May the glory of the Lord endure for ever;* may the Lord rejoice in all his works. |
The psalm may end with:
Glory . . .
THE READING: the following or some other.
The servants of the Lamb shall see the face of God, whose name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for God will be their light; and they will reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 22. 4-5
THE RESPONSORY may be said.
Into your hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Into your hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit. (Or: Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
Into your hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
| Refrain: | Save us,* O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep may rest in peace. |
| Or, in Eastertide: | |
|
Alleluia!* The Lord is risen, alleluia! as he promised to you. Alleluia! Alleluia! | |
| Or, on feasts: | |
|
Grant us your light, O Lord,* that the darkness of our hearts being overcome, we may receive the true light, even Christ our Saviour. | |
| 1 |
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:* your word has been fulfilled. |
| 2 |
My own eyes have seen the salvation* which you have prepared in the sight of every people; |
| 3 |
A light to reveal you to the nations* and the glory of your people Israel. Luke 2. 29-32 |
| Glory ... | |
The refrain is repeated after the canticle.
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here, or at any point in this section.
THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.
Almighty God,
by triumphing over the powers of darkness
Christ has prepared a place for us
in the new Jerusalem:
may we, who have this day given thanks
for his resurrection,
praise him in the eternal city
of which he is the light;
through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . 28
Or:
Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray;
and in your mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 3
THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.
[As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray as our Redeemer has taught us:]
Our Father in heaven, Or Our Father, who art in heaven,
A devotional ANTHEM may be sung here, or after the blessing.
In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night-watch looks for the morning,
So do we look for you, O Christ.
[Come with the dawning of the day
And make yourself known
in the breaking of the bread.]
May the risen Lord Jesus watch over us and renew us
as he renews the whole of creation.
May our hearts and lives echo his love. Amen.