Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle, supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers.
The Call to Prayer
Psalm 107: 8–9
Let us give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and the wonders he does for his children. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
The Request for Presence
Psalm 5: 1–3
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I make my prayer to you. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice, early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.
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
The Greeting
Psalm 8: 2
Out of the mouths of infants and children, O Lord, your majesty is praised above the heavens.
The Refrain for the Reading
Psalm 119: 141
I am small and of little account, yet I do not forget your commandments.
A Reading
Matthew 18: 1–4
At this time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him whom he set among them. The he said, ‘In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’
The Refrain
I am small and of little account, yet I do not forget your commandments.
The Psalm
Psalm 90: 10–12
The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty, yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow, for they pass quickly, and we are gone. Who regards the power of your wrath? Who rightly fears your indignation? So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
The Refrain
I am small and of little account, yet I do not forget your commandments.
The Cry of the Church
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, grant me your peace.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Mother in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kin_dom come, your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
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, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor. Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever 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.