Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers.
The Call to Prayer
Psalm 55: 17
I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, I will complain and lament, and he will hear my voice. He will bring me safely back…God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me.
The Request for Presence
Psalm 130: 1
Out of the depths I call to you, O Lord; Lord hear my voice, let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
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
Light Meditation
Assume a comfortable position with feet on the floor. Take a nice long deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. Let your breathing return to its natural rhythm. Picture a speck of yellow sunlight, just a small dot of light in the middle of the body. Imagine that the light signifies divine clarity and kindness, kindness toward yourself and others, to all living things. Notice the light as though it has been there all along. Now be aware of the that small dot of light expanding to the size of a small orb in middle of the body. As you keep your focus on the light, it continues to expand…watch it expand until the orb of light is big enough to encompass the entire body… as it does so, imagine the light expanding in all directions to fill the space you find yourself in… and then as far as you can imagine.
The Greeting
Psalm 92: 5–7
Lord, how great are your works! Your thoughts are very deep. The dullard does not know, nor does the fool understand, that thought the wicked grow like weeds, and all the workers of iniquity flourish, they flourish only to be destroyed forever; but you, O Lord, are exalted for evermore.
The Refrain
Psalm 77: 1
I will cry aloud to God, I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.
A Reading
Psalm 62: 8–14
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
according to their work.
The Refrain
I will cry aloud to God, I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.
The Cry of the Church
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
The Lord’s Prayer
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.