Morning Prayer | Midday Prayer | Evening Prayer | Night Prayer
O Lord, open our lips
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessèd are you, God of compassion and mercy,
to you be praise and glory for ever!
[In the darkness of our sin,
your light breaks forth like the dawn
and your healing springs up for deliverance.]
As we rejoice in the gift of your saving help,
sustain us with your bountiful Spirit
and open our lips to sing your praise,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
Blessèd be God for ever!
The following is said:
God has redeemed the world:
O come, let us worship.
Or, in Lent:
Christ, though tempted like us, was without sin:
O come, let us worship.
Or, in Passiontide:
Christ suffered and died for us.
O come, let us worship.
Or, on feasts of Martyrs:
(Alleluia!) Christ is the strength of the martyrs:
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.
Let your ways be known upon earth,
Your saving power among the nations.
Glory . . .
Alleluia! (Omitted in Lent)
Either: A SONG OF TRIUMPH
| 1 |
Come, let us sing to the Lord;* let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. | ||
| 2 |
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving* and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. | ||
| 3 |
For the Lord is a great God,* and a great King above all gods. | ||
| 4 |
In his hands are the depths of the earth,* and the heights of the hills are his also. | ||
| 5 |
The sea is his, for he made it,* and his hands have moulded the dry land. | ||
| 6 |
Come, let us bow down and bend the knee,* and kneel before the Lord our Maker. | ||
| 7 |
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.* O that today you would hearken to his voice! | ||
| [8 |
Harden not your hearts as your forebears did in the wilderness,* at Meribah and on that day at Massah, when they tempted me. | ||
| 9 |
They put me to the test,* though they had seen my works. | ||
| 10 |
Forty years long I detested that generation and said,* ‘This people are wayward in their hearts; they do not know my ways.’ | ||
| 11 |
So I swore in my wrath,* ‘They shall not enter my rest.’] | ||
|
Canticle 4 (the ASB Venite), page 191, may replace the above.
Or: A SONG OF PENITENCE
This canticle is particularly appropriate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Lent.
If the whole psalm is not recited, verses 6-10 may be omitted.
| 1 |
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness;* in your great compassion blot out my offences. | ||
| 2 |
Wash me through and through from my wickedness* and cleanse me from my sin. | ||
| 3 |
For I know my transgressions,* and my sin is ever before me. | ||
| 4 |
Against you only have I sinned* and done what is evil in your sight. | ||
| 5 |
And so you are justified when you speak* and upright in your judgement. | ||
| [6 |
Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth,* a sinner from my mother’s womb. | ||
| 7 |
For behold, you look for truth deep within me,* and will make me understand wisdom secretly. | ||
| 8 |
Purge me from my sin and I shall be pure;* wash me and I shall be clean indeed. | ||
| 9 |
Make me hear of joy and gladness,* that the body you have broken may rejoice. | ||
| 10 |
Hide your face from my sins* and blot out all my iniquities.] | ||
| 11 |
Create in me a clean heart, O God,* and renew a right spirit within me. | ||
| 12 |
Cast me not away from your presence* and take not your holy Spirit from me. | ||
| 13 |
Give me the joy of your saving help again* and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. | ||
| 14 |
I shall teach your ways to the wicked,* and sinners shall return to you. | ||
| 15 |
Deliver me from death, O God,* and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation. | ||
| 16 |
Open my lips, O Lord,* and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. | ||
| 17 |
Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice,* but you take no delight in burnt-offerings. | ||
| 18 |
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit;* a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. | ||
|
In Passiontide, number 19 is 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 Fridays | In Lent | ||
| Week 1: | 26, 147. 1-12 | Sun: | 26, 117 |
| 2: | 32, 147. 1-12 | Mon: | 32, 150 |
| 3: | 56, 147. 1-12 | Tue: | 56, 146 |
| 4: | 3, 6, 147. 1-12 | Wed: | 3, 6, 147. 13-end |
| 5: | 25, 147. 1-12 | Thu: | 25, 148 |
| 6: | 39, 147. 1-12 | Fri: | 39, 147. 1-12 |
| 7: | 13, 124, 147. 1-12 | Sat: | 13, 124, 149 |
| In Passiontide | |||
| Sun: | 20, 122 | ||
| Mon: | 73 | ||
| Tue: | 35 | ||
| Wed: | 55 | ||
| Thu: | 40, 54 | ||
| Fri: | 69 | ||
| Sat: | 23, 88 | ||
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 HUMILITY (21)
| Refrain: | Raise us up, O God,* that we may live in your presence. | ||
| 1 |
Come, let us return to the Lord* who has torn us and will heal us. | ||
| 2 |
God has stricken us* and will bind up our wounds. | ||
| 3 |
After two days, he will revive us,* and on the third day will raise us up, that we may live in his presence. | ||
| 4 |
Let us humble ourselves;* let us strive to know our God, | ||
| 5 |
Whose justice dawns like the morning star;* its dawning is as sure as the sunrise. | ||
| 6 |
God’s justice will come to us like the showers,* like the spring rains that water the earth. | ||
| 7 |
‘O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you?* How shall I deal with you, O Jacob? | ||
| 8 |
‘Your love for me is like the morning mist,* like the dew that goes early away. | ||
| 9 |
‘Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets,* and my judgement goes forth as the light. | ||
| 10 |
‘For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice,* and the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings.’ | ||
| |||
|
Raise us up, O God,* that we may live in your presence. |
Or: A SONG OF THE WORD OF THE LORD (14)
| Refrain: | Return to the Lord, who will have mercy,* to our God, who will richly pardon. | ||
| 1 |
Seek the Lord while he may be found,* call upon him while he is near; | ||
| 2 |
Let the wicked abandon their ways,* and the unrighteous their thoughts; | ||
| 3 |
Return to the Lord, who will have mercy;* to our God, who will richly pardon. | ||
| 4 |
‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts,* neither are your ways my ways’, says the Lord. | ||
| 5 |
‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,* so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. | ||
| 6 |
‘As the rain and the snow come down from above,* and return not again but water the earth, | ||
| 7 |
‘Bringing forth life and giving growth,* seed for sowing and bread to eat, | ||
| 8 |
‘So is my word that goes forth from my mouth;* it will not return to me fruitless, | ||
| 9 |
‘But it will accomplish that which I purpose,* and succeed in the task I gave it.’ | ||
| |||
|
Return to the Lord, who will have mercy,* to our God, who will richly pardon. |
In Lent, numbers 13, 22 & 35 are alternative canticles.
In Passiontide, numbers 5 & 17 are alternative canticles.
On feasts of Martyrs, numbers 5, 17 & 22 are alternative canticles.
A RESPONSORY may be said.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
O my God, in you I trust.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
O my God, in you I trust.
You are the God of my salvation,
in you I hope all the day long.
O my God, in you I trust.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
O my God, in you I trust.
See either separate card or inside front cover.
| Refrain: | In the tender compassion of our God,* the dawn from on high shall break upon us. |
| Or, in Lent: | |
|
You have given your people knowledge of salvation, O God,* by the forgiveness of their sins. | |
| Or, in Passiontide: | |
|
The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing,* but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God. | |
| Or, on feasts of Martyrs: | |
|
Blessèd are those who are persecuted for the cause of right,* for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. | |
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,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . 2*
Or:
Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross,
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . 3*
THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.
[Lord Jesus, remember us in your Kingdom
and teach us to pray:]
Our Father in heaven, Or Our Father, who art in heaven,
The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Or, in Lent:
May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.
Or, in Passiontide:
May the life-giving cross
be the source of all our joy and peace. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Glory . . .
Alleluia! (omitted in Lent)
A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.
We bless you, Father, Lord of life,
To whom all living beings tend,
The source of holiness and grace,
Our first beginning and our end.
We give you thanks, redeeming Christ,
Who bore the weight of sin and shame;
In dark defeat you conquered sin,
And death, by dying, overcame.
Come, Holy Spirit, searching fire,
Whose flame all evil burns away.
With light and love come down to us
In silence and in peace to stay.
We praise you, God, the Three in One,
Sublime in majesty and might:
You reign for ever, Lord of all,
In splendour and unending light. Amen.
THE PSALMODY
Either:
PSALM 119. 129-152
| 129 |
Your decrees are wonderful;* therefore I obey them with all my heart. |
| 130 |
When your word goes forth it gives light;* it gives understanding to the simple. |
| 131 |
I open my mouth and pant;* I long for your commandments. |
| 132 |
Turn to me in mercy,* as you always do to those who love your name. |
| 133 |
Steady my footsteps in your word;* let no iniquity have dominion over me. |
| 134 |
Rescue me from those who oppress me,* and I will keep your commandments. |
| 135 |
Let your countenance shine upon your servant* and teach me your statutes. |
| 136 |
My eyes shed streams of tears,* because people do not keep your law. |
| * * * | |
| 137 |
You are righteous, O Lord,* and upright are your judgements. |
| 138 |
You have issued your decrees* with justice and in perfect faithfulness. |
| 139 |
My indignation has consumed me,* because my enemies forget your words. |
| 140 |
Your word has been tested to the uttermost,* and your servant holds it dear. |
| 141 |
I am small and of little account,* yet I do not forget your commandments. |
| 142 |
Your justice is an everlasting justice* and your law is the truth. |
| 143 |
Trouble and distress have come upon me,* yet your commandments are my delight. |
| 144 |
The righteousness of your decrees is everlasting;* grant me understanding, that I may live. |
| * * * | |
| 145 |
I call with my whole heart;* answer me, O Lord, that I may keep your statutes. |
| 146 |
I call to you; O that you would save me!* I will keep your decrees. |
| 147 |
Early in the morning I cry out to you,* for in your word is my trust. |
| 148 |
My eyes are open in the night watches,* that I may meditate upon your promise. |
| 149 |
Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your loving-kindness;* according to your judgements, give me life. |
| 150 |
They draw near who in malice persecute me;* they are very far from your law. |
| 151 |
You, O Lord, are near at hand,* and all your commandments are true. |
| 152 |
Long have I known from your decrees* that you have established them for ever. |
Or:
PSALM 129
| 1 |
‘Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth’,* let Israel now say; |
| 2 |
‘Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth,* but they have not prevailed against me.’ |
| 3 |
The ploughers ploughed upon my back* and made their furrows long. |
| 4 |
The Lord, the Righteous One,* has cut the cords of the wicked. |
| 5 |
Let them be put to shame and thrown back,* all those who are enemies of Zion. |
| 6 |
Let them be like grass upon the housetops,* which withers before it can be plucked; |
| 7 |
Which does not fill the hand of the reaper,* nor the bosom of him who binds the sheaves; |
| 8 |
So that those who go by say not so much as, ‘The Lord prosper you.* We wish you well in the name of the Lord.’ |
PSALM 130
| 1 |
Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice;* let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication. |
| 2 |
If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss,* O Lord, who could stand? |
| 3 |
For there is forgiveness with you;* therefore you shall be feared. |
| 4 |
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him;* in his word is my hope. |
| 5 |
My soul waits for the Lord, more than the night-watch for the morning,* more than the night-watch for the morning. |
| 6 |
O Israel, wait for the Lord,* for with the Lord there is mercy; |
| 7 |
With him there is plenteous redemption,* and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins. |
The psalm, or group of psalms, may end with:
Glory . . .
THE READING (Caring for the Needy)
| Week 1: | Gen 4. 8-12 or Exod 1. 8-14; victims of torture, slavery & violence |
| 2: | Luke 6. 32-36 or Deut 15. 7-10; helping organisations |
| 3: | Deut 24. 10-15 or James 2. 1-5; hungry & homeless |
| 4: | Exod 18. 21-23 or Acts 9. 36-38; the caring professions |
| 5: | Heb 13. 3 or Ps 107. 10-14; prisoners, the prison system |
| 6: | Gen 41. 53-57 or 1 Sam 4. 19-22; victims of famine & natural disaster |
| 7: | Gen 12. 4-9 or Jer 29. 4-7; minorities & immigrants |
|
Or, the short reading: Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ. |
| Galatians 6. 2 |
THE RESPONSE; either:
Come, you that are blessèd of my Father,
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you.
I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you clothed me,
I was sick and you took care of me,
I was in prison and you visited me.
As you did it to one of the least,
You did it to me.
Or:
The preaching of the cross is folly to those who are perishing,
But to those who are being saved, it is the power of God.
To those who are called,
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the folly of God is wiser than human wisdom,
And the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;
Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
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.
Merciful God,
you loose the bonds of injustice
and let the oppressed go free:
give us the will to share our bread with the hungry
and to give shelter to the homeless poor,
for thus your glory shall be revealed;
through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . 1
Or:
May the power of your love, Lord Christ,
fiery and sweet,
so absorb our hearts
as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven;
grant that we may be ready
to die for love of your love,
as you died for love of our love. Amen. Francis of Assisi
Alternatively, the ‘Prayers at the Foot of the Cross’ (page 244) or the ‘Cross Prayers’ (Franciscan Supplement only, page 294) may conclude the Office.
THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.
[Lord Jesus, remember us in your Kingdom
and teach us to pray:]
Our Father in heaven, Or Our Father, who art in heaven,
May Christ our Saviour give us peace. 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.
Christ your light shall rise in the darkness
and your healing shall spring up like the dawn.
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,
Shepherd of your pilgrim people:
their pillar of cloud by day,
their pillar of fire by night.
Stir up in us the fire of your love
which shone forth from your Son
enthroned on the cross,
that we may be cleansed of all our sins
and be made ready to come into your presence,
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 joyful light, from the pure glory of the eternal heavenly Father,* O holy, blessèd Jesus Christ. |
| 2 |
As we come to the setting of the sun* and see the evening light, |
| 3 |
We give thanks and praise to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit of God. |
| 4 |
Worthy are you at all times to be sung with holy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,* and to be glorified through all creation. |
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.
Let your ways be known upon earth,
Your saving power among the nations.
Glory . . .
Alleluia! (Omitted in Lent) THE OPENING CANTICLE: A SONG OF ENTREATY
| 1 |
Lord, hear my prayer, answer me in your righteousness. | ||
| 2 |
Enter not into judgement with your servant,* for in your sight shall no one living be justified. | ||
| 3 |
My spirit faints within me;* my heart within me is desolate. | ||
| 4 |
I spread out my hands to you;* my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land. | ||
| 5 |
O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me;* do not hide your face from me. | ||
| 6 |
Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,* for I put my trust in you. | ||
| 7 |
Show me the road that I must walk,* for I lift up my soul to you. | ||
| 8 |
Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God;* let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. | ||
| 9 |
Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake;* for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble. | ||
|
A HYMN may be sung.
THE OPENING PRAYER may be said.
Stir up in us, O God, the fire of your love,
that we may be cleansed of all our sins
and so be made ready to come into your presence,
singing your praises now and for ever. Amen.
| On Fridays | In Lent | In Passiontide | |||
| Week 1: | 86 | Sun: | 86 | Sun: | 61, 62 |
| 2: | 102 | Mon: | 102 | Mon: | 26, 27 |
| 3: | 38 | Tue: | 38 | Tue: | 64, 86 |
| 4: | 90 | Wed: | 90 | Wed: | 41, 56 |
| 5: | 27 | Thu: | 27 | Thu: | 42, 43 |
| 6: | 69 | Fri: | 69 | Fri: | 31 |
| 7: | 31 | Sat: | 31 | Sat: | 13, 130, 142 |
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: THE SONG OF CHRIST’S GLORY (44)
| Refrain: | At the name of Jesus* every knee shall bow. | ||
| 1 |
Christ Jesus was in the form of God,* but he did not cling to equality with God. | ||
| 2 |
He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,* and was born in our human likeness. | ||
| 3 |
Being found in human form, he humbled himself,* and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross; | ||
| 4 |
Therefore, God has highly exalted him,* and bestowed on him the name above every name, | ||
| 5 |
That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,* in heaven and on earth and under the earth. | ||
| 6 |
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,* to the glory of God the Father. | ||
| |||
|
At the name of Jesus* every knee shall bow. |
Or: A SONG OF CHRIST THE SERVANT (49)
| Refrain: | Christ committed no sin,* no guile was found on his lips. | ||
| 1 |
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,* that you should follow in his steps. | ||
| 2 |
He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips,* when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn. | ||
| 3 |
When he suffered, he did not threaten,* but he trusted in God who judges justly. | ||
| 4 |
Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,* that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. | ||
| 5 |
By his wounds, you have been healed, for you were straying like sheep,* but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. | ||
| |||
|
Christ committed no sin,* no guile was found on his lips. |
In Lent, numbers 50 & 62 are also alternative canticles.
In Passiontide, numbers 49 & 67 are alternative canticles.
On feasts of Martyrs, number 53 is an alternative canticle.
A RESPONSORY may be said.
O Lord, do not forsake me;
be not far from me, O my God.
O Lord, do not forsake me;
be not far from me, O my God.
Make haste to help me,
O Lord of my salvation.
Be not far from me, O my God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, do not forsake me;
be not far from me, O my God.
See either separate card or inside front cover.
| Refrain: | You have mercy on those who fear you,* in every generation. |
| Or, in Lent: | |
|
Come, let us return to the Lord,* for our God will richly pardon. | |
| Or, in Passiontide: | |
|
God’s love for us is revealed* in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. | |
| Or, on feasts of Martyrs: | |
|
Those who gave up their lives for Christ, and followed in the Way,* rejoice with God now and for ever. | |
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.
Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray,
and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils
and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ . . . 3
Or:
Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example
of his patience and humility
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . 3/5
THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.
[Lord Jesus, remember us in your Kingdom
and teach us to pray:]
Our Father in heaven, Or Our Father, who art in heaven,
On Fridays, the ‘Prayers at the Foot of the Cross’ (page 244) or the ‘Cross Prayers’ (Franciscan Supplement only, page 294) may conclude the Office.
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.
Or, in Lent:
May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.
Or, in Passiontide:
May the life-giving cross
be the source of all our joy and peace. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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! (Omitted in Lent)
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.
Lent Doxology
Grant, ever blessèd Trinity,
And ever perfect Unity,
That this, our fast of forty days,
May work our profit and your praise. Amen.
Passiontide Doxology
To you, O saving Three in One,
Let homage due by all be done;
And grant us, by the cross restored,
To share the Victor’s great reward. Amen.
THE PSALMODY
From PSALM 139
| 1 |
Lord, you have searched me out and known me;* you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. |
| 2 |
You trace my journeys and my resting-places* and are acquainted with all my ways. |
| 3 |
Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,* but you, O Lord, know it altogether. |
| 4 |
You press upon me behind and before* and lay your hand upon me. |
| 5 |
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;* it is so high that I cannot attain to it. |
| 6 |
Where can I go then from your Spirit?* where can I flee from your presence? |
| 7 |
If I climb up to heaven, you are there;* if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. |
| 8 |
If I take the wings of the morning* and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, |
| 9 |
Even there your hand will lead me* and your right hand hold me fast. |
| 10 |
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me,* and the light around me turn to night’, |
| 11 |
Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day;* darkness and light to you are both alike. |
| 12 |
For you yourself created my inmost parts;* you knit me together in my mother’s womb. |
| 13 |
I will thank you because I am marvellously made;* your works are wonderful and I know it well. |
| 14 |
My body was not hidden from you,* while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. |
| 15 |
Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;* all of them were written in your book. |
| 16 |
They were fashioned day by day,* when as yet there was none of them. |
| 17 |
How deep I find your thoughts, O God!* how great is the sum of them! |
| 18 |
If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand;* to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours. |
| 19 |
Search me out, O God, and know my heart;* try me and know my restless thoughts. |
| 20 |
Look well whether there be any wickedness in me* and lead me in the way that is everlasting. |
The psalm may end with:
Glory . . .
THE READING: one of the following or some other.
God has not destined us to the terrors of judgement but to the full attainment of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we wake or sleep, we might live with him.
1 Thessalonians 5. 9-10
Or (and especially in Lent):
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke¿ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Isaiah 58. 6, 7
Or (and especially in Passiontide):
On that day, I will pour out on my people a spirit of compassion so that, when they look on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a first-born.
Zechariah 12. 8, 10
Or on feasts of Martyrs:
Love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave: its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.
Song of Songs 8. 6-7
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 Lent: | |
|
Christ died for us,* so that, whether we wake or sleep, we might live with him. | |
| Or, in Passiontide: | |
|
Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,* that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. | |
| 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.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who at this evening hour lay in the tomb
and so hallowed the grave
to be a bed of hope
for all who put their trust in you:
give us such sorrow for our sins,
which were the cause of your passion,
that, when our bodies lie in the dust,
our souls may live with you for ever. Amen. 6*
Or in Lent:
Almighty God,
may we, by the prayer and discipline of Lent,
enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings;
that by following in the Way,
we may come to share in the glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Or (and especially in Passiontide):
Almighty God,
as we stand at the foot of the cross of your Son,
help us to see and know your love for us,
so that in humility, love and joy
we may place at his feet
all that we have and all that we are;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
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 God bless us,
that in us may be found love and humility,
obedience and thanksgiving,
discipline, gentleness and peace. Amen.