Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle, supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers.
The Call to Prayer
Psalm 95: 1–2
Come let us sing to the Lord, let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to God with psalms.
The Request for Presence
Psalm 123: 1
To you I lift up my eyes, to you enthroned in the heavens.
The Sarum Prayer
God be in my head—and in my understanding
God be in my eyes—and in my looking
God be in my mouth—and in my speaking
God be in my heart—and in my thinking
God be at my end—and at my departing
Breath Meditation
Relax with two nice deep breaths, in through the nose [to the count of 5] and out through the mouth [to the count of six] Notice how the lungs expand with the inbreath and how the body softens with the outbreath. Let your breathing return to normal and focus your attention on the feeling of the air entering the body, and the body softening as you exhale. Take a minute or two like this, returning your focus to the breath as you notice your mind wandering.
The Greeting
Psalm 97: 2
You are the Lord most high above the earth, you are exalted far above all gods.
The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Psalm 103: 11
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
A Reading
John 8: 12
When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said, ‘I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; but will have the light of life.’
The Refrain
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
The Psalm
Psalm 29: 2–11
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name;
worship the LORD in holy splendor.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD, over mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say,“Glory!”
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!
The Refrain
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
The Gloria
Glory be to the mother and to the son and to the holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Prayer for Loved Ones
Over the next minute simply name your loved ones, calling each to mind in love, lifting each in the embrace of remembered love, to the God who is the source of all being.
The Prayer Appointed for the Week
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon all your faithful people your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Concluding Prayer of the Church
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day. Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Benediction
Go in peace, wash your hands, love your neighbors—you are not alone.