Daily Prayer

Trinity United Methodist Church Lent 2013 About these services

These services have been adapted from the traditional models of daily prayer which have been prayed by the Church of every age. All Christians, not just monastics and clergy, are called to frame their daily lives with prayer, but there are indeed many for whom such a practice can seem burdensome in our cluttered, busy, and postmodern culture. Thus the services presented here are very brief but retain all the essential elements to the tradition of communal daily prayer: responsive dialogues, psalms, scripture readings, canticles, and prayers. Rather than starting with Morning Prayer, the services begin with Evening Prayer. That is because the Abrahamic faiths ­­ Judaism, Christianity, and Islam ­­ consider evening to be the start of the day (see Genesis 1:5 “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day”). The office of Evening Prayer (also called Vespers) is the longest service, since most will have more time for prayer in the evening. It is designed to last around 12 minutes. Morning Prayer (also called Lauds) is designed to last about 7 minutes, and Midday Prayer (also called Sext) around 5 minutes. Many of the texts have been taken from the Book of Offices of Services of the Order of Saint Luke, a religious order in the Methodist tradition which is committed to renewing the worship of the Church. Each of the services is steeped in the language of Scripture but also includes liturgical texts which are both new and old, along with many opportunities for free prayer.

How to pray these services

These services are fundamentally communal, and should be prayed in a group whenever possible. The instructions printed in red are called “rubrics” (from the Latin word for “red.”) They are not meant to be spoken. Texts in normal type are said by a leader; those in boldface type are said by all. If these offices are prayed alone, one should say all texts except those enclosed in red brackets. Evening Prayer (Vespers)

This service should be prayed in the evening, when the day’s work is over, and sometime near sundown. The service begins with the lighting of one or more candles. Then the following dialogue is said:

Opening Sentences Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening, and the day is nearly over. For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we do see light.

Opening Prayer {The Lord be with you, And also with you. Let us pray:}

God of life and light, who has been with us throughout this day we give you thanks for Christ our Light. As evening falls, let your grace shine upon us, so that, with all your people, we may live in the light of your love now and through eternity. Amen. Psalm All may sing Psalm 141. If this tune is unfamiliar, the same text may also be sung to the tune OLD HUNDREDTH, commonly known as “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” or WOODWORTH, commonly known as “Just as I am”. Incense may be lit as this psalm is sung. After a brief silence, the psalm concludes with this psalm prayer. If Psalm 141 is not used, the service continues with the Scripture reading.

Holy God, let the incense of our prayer ascend before you, and let your loving­kindness descend upon us, that with devoted hearts we may sing your praises with the church on earth and the whole heavenly host, and glorify you forever and ever. Amen.

Scripture Reading(s) One or more scripture readings may follow the Psalm. It is suggested that two readings of the day be chosen from the lectionary (table of readings) found at the end of this volume.

Prayers Those present may offer prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for the world, the church, and their own lives, using a form which is comfortable for them or the form below:

If this form is used, the people may respond to each intercession with “Lord have mercy,” and to each thanksgiving with “Thanks be to God.” For those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. . . For those who are weak in body, mind, or spirit. . . For those captive to wealth and violence. . . For the lonely, despondent, down­trodden, or oppressed. . . For justice, freedom, and peace throughout the world. . . For refugees and exiles, and for all in danger. . . In thanksgiving for prophets, poets, and salty disciples. . . In thanksgiving for God’s love and grace. . .

Other prayers of thanksgiving and intercession may be added in the same manner. All then pray the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

The prayers conclude with the following collect: O God, in your servants you manifest the signs of your presence. Send forth upon us the Spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Blessing May God bless us and keep us. May God’s face shine upon us and be gracious to us. May God lift up the divine countenance upon us, and give us peace. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with us. Let us bless the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Icon for Palm Sunday (Orthodox Church in America) Morning Prayer (Lauds) This service can be prayed at any time in the morning, but preferably before the day’s work has begun. There should be some water present in a bowl or other vessel for the remembrance of baptism.

Opening Sentences O God, open our lips, and our mouths shall proclaim your praise. From the rising of the sun to its setting, we praise your name, O God.

Water may be touched, poured, sprinkled, or splashed. Remembrance of Baptism By Word and water God renews us this day in the living fountain of God’s grace and raises us with Christ Jesus to live a new life in the Spirit. Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, O God, that we may sing for joy, and be glad all our days.

Psalm A psalm is read or sung. Those present may choose to read or sing the psalm of the day, found in the lectionary at the end of this volume, or to use the same psalm each day. If the same psalm is used, it is suggested that it be either Psalm 95, 62, or 100.

Canticle of Zechariah All may sing or say the Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus) in the following form. If this tune is unfamiliar, the same text may be sung to the tune AMAZING GRACE, commonly known as “Amazing Grace”, or to AZMON, commonly known as “O For a Thousand Tongues”

Prayers All may offer prayers using the following form. After the ellipsis ending each petition, specific names or situations pertinent to that petition may be lifted up aloud or in silence. If there is not time for this fuller form, there may be instead a short time of free prayer which concludes with the collect and Lord’s prayer. Great God of power and love, we thank you for abiding with us in Jesus through Word and Sacrament. In the intimacy of the Spirit we plead:

dance in your Church. . . embrace the suffering. . . defend the oppressed. . . forgive the guilty. . . release the prisoner. . . guide the powerful. . . center the distracted. . . strengthen the tempted. . . hear the needy. . . welcome the dying. . . complete what is lacking in us. . . and all for your love’s sake. Amen.

Then the following collect: Mighty and everlasting God, who has brought us to the beginning of this day: defend us with your mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, ordered by your governance, may be always pleasing in your sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. The prayers conclude with the Lord’s prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Dismissal May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may abound in hope. Amen.

{The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with us. Let us bless the Lord! Thanks be to God!} Midday Prayer (Sext)

This service may be prayed at any point near the middle of the day, though it is traditionally prayed at noon.

Silence Be still, aware of God’s presence within and around.

Opening Sentences O God, come to our assistance. O Lord, hasten to help us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Prayer {The Lord be with you And also with you. Let us pray}

Risen Saviour, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms. Send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct us in your way, to comfort us in our afflictions, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Psalm 113:1­3 Give praise, you servants of God. Praise the name of the Most High. Let God’s name be blessed from this time forth forever more. From the rising of the sun to its setting, let God’s holy name be praised Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Scripture Reading The reading for this service may be the New Testament letter of the day, which can be found in the lectionary at the end of this volume. Alternatively, a group or individual may choose to use a single, meaningful passage, and to repeat that same passage each day.

Silence There should be a brief time of silent prayer.

The prayers conclude with the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Concluding Prayer and Dismissal Holy Wisdom, in your loving kindness you created us, restoring us when we were lost. Inspire us with your truth, that we may love you with our whole minds, and run to you with open hearts, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Send forth your Spirit Lord. Renew the face of the earth. Creator Spirit, come. Inflame our waiting hearts. Lord, hear our prayer, and let our cry come to you. Bless the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Icon for Monday of Holy Week (Orthodox Church in America) Lectionary

A lectionary is a table of readings for the church year. Christians have always used some form of a lectionary; some organized system of reading the Bible is essential to and inseparable from the church year. The United Methodist Church today commends to its congregations the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) for use in Sunday morning worship. The RCL provides an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a New Testament letter, and a Gospel reading for each Sunday. In 2006, the group that produces the RCL published a daily lectionary which compliments the Sunday lectionary. That daily lectionary is what’s reproduced here; it includes all the Sunday readings and the weekly readings. Because Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the weeks of Lent in the daily lectionary run from Wednesday to Wednesday.

Lent 1 W Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1­2, 12­17 or Isaiah 58:1­12 Psalm 51:1­17 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10 Matthew 6:1­6, 16­21

Th Psalm 91:1­2, 9­16 Exodus 5:10­23 Acts 7:30­34

F Psalm 91:1­2, 9­16 Exodus 6:1­13 Acts 7:35­42

Sa Psalm 91:1­2, 9­16 Ecclesiastes 3:1­8 John 12:27­36 Su First Sunday in Lent Deuteronomy 26:1­11 Psalm 91:1­2, 9­16 Romans 10:8b­13 Luke 4:1­13

M Psalm 17 1 Chronicles 21:1­17 1 John 2:1­6

Tu Psalm 17 Zechariah 3:1­10 2 Peter 2:4­21

W Psalm 17 Job 1:1­22 Luke 21:34—22:6

Lent 2 Th Psalm 27 Genesis 13:1­7, 14­18 Philippians 3:2­12

F Psalm 27 Genesis 14:17­24 Philippians 3:17­20

Sa Psalm 27 Psalm 118:26­29 Matthew 23:37­39 Su Second Sunday in Lent Genesis 15:1­12, 17­18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17—4:1 Luke 13:31­35 or Luke 9:28­36

M Psalm 105:1­15 [16­41] 42 Exodus 33:1­6 Romans 4:1­12

Tu Psalm 105:1­15 [16­41] 42 Numbers 14:10b­24 1 Corinthians 10:1­13

W Psalm 105:1­15 [16­41] 42 2 Chronicles 20:1­22 Luke 13:22­31

Lent 3 Th Psalm 63:1­8 Daniel 3:19­30 Revelation 2:8­11

F Psalm 63:1­8 Daniel 12:1­4 Revelation 3:1­6

Sa Psalm 63:1­8 Isaiah 5:1­7 Luke 6:43­45 Su Third Sunday in Lent Isaiah 55:1­9 Psalm 63:1­8 1 Corinthians 10:1­13 Luke 13:1­9

M Psalm 39 Jeremiah 11:1­17 Romans 2:1­11

Tu Psalm 39 Ezekiel 17:1­10 Romans 2:12­16

W Psalm 39 Numbers 13:17­27 Luke 13:18­21

Lent 4 Th Psalm 32 Joshua 4:1­13 2 Corinthians 4:16—5:5

F Psalm 32 Joshua 4:14­24 2 Corinthians 5:6­15

Sa Psalm 32 Exodus 32:7­14 Luke 15:1­10 Su Fourth Sunday in Lent Joshua 5:9­12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16­21 Luke 15:1­3, 11b­32

M Psalm 53 Leviticus 23:26­41 Revelation 19:1­8

Tu Psalm 53 Leviticus 25:1­19 Revelation 19:9­10

W Psalm 53 2 Kings 4:1­7 Luke 9:10­17

Lent 5 Th Psalm 126 Isaiah 43:1­7 Philippians 2:19­24

F Psalm 126 Isaiah 43:8­15 Philippians 2:25—3:1

Sa Psalm 126 Exodus 12:21­27 John 11:45­57 Su Fifth Sunday in Lent Isaiah 43:16­21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b­14 John 12:1­8

M Psalm 20 Exodus 40:1­15 Hebrews 10:19­25

Tu Psalm 20 Judges 9:7­15 1 John 2:18­28

W Psalm 20 Habakkuk 3:2­15 Luke 18:31­34

Lent 6 Th Psalm 31:9­16 Isaiah 53:10­12 Hebrews 2:1­9

F Psalm 31:9­16 Isaiah 54:9­10 Hebrews 2:10­18

Sa Psalm 31:9­16 Leviticus 23:1­8 Luke 22:1­13 Su Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday Palms Psalm 118:1­2, 19­29 Luke 19:28­40 Passion Isaiah 50:4­9a Psalm 31:9­16 Philippians 2:5­11 Luke 22:14—23:56 or Luke 23:1­49

M Monday of Holy Week Isaiah 42:1­9 Psalm 36:5­11 Hebrews 9:11­15 John 12:1­11

Tu Tuesday of Holy Week Isaiah 49:1­7 Psalm 71:1­14 1 Corinthians 1:18­31 John 12:20­36

W Wednesday of Holy Week Isaiah 50:4­9a Psalm 70 Hebrews 12:1­3 John 13:21­32 The Three Days (Triduum) → Easter Th Holy Thursday Exodus 12:1­4 [5­10] 11­14 Psalm 116:1­2, 12­19 1 Corinthians 11:23­26 John 13:1­17, 31b­35

F Good Friday Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Psalm 22 Hebrews 10:16­25 or Hebrews 4:14­16; 5:7­9 John 18:1—19:42

Sa Holy Saturday (other than the Easter Vigil) Job 14:1­14 or Lamentations 3:1­9, 19­24 Psalm 31:1­4, 15­16 1 Peter 4:1­8 Matthew 27:57­66 or John 19:38­42

Icon for Holy Thursday (Orthodox Church in America) Note about using this book throughout the year.

These services are not specific to Lent, but may be used throughout the year. If daily prayer is a Christian practice that you would like to recover, you may use the services in this book as is, but with scripture readings appropriate to the season of the church year. There are many lectionary resources that can help you find appropriate scriptures.

● The full Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, which is the lectionary found in this volume, can be downloaded here: http://commontexts.org/publications/index.html. It follows the same three­year cycle as the Sunday lectionary.

● The Presbyterian Church (USA) offers an online daily lectionary which follows a two­year cycle. That is the same cycle currently used by most other denominations. It can be found at http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/devotions/.

● There are now some mobile apps which provide easy access to the daily lectionary. They are: ○ Daily Office Lectionary (The Episcopal Church) ○ Book of Common Prayer: Daily Office (Presbyterian Church (USA))

● You may also choose to read the scriptures in a simpler, more cyclical fashion. The Northumbria Community provides a lectionary of readings based on the day of the month. Their daily office and links to the readings can be found at http://www.northumbriacommunity.org/pray­the­daily­office.

Finally, some may already be using The Upper Room, a daily devotional resource from the United Methodist Church. Though it functions extremely well as a personal devotional, The Upper Room is not meant to be communal daily prayer. A group could easily adapt it for communal prayer, however, by conjoining the liturgical elements from these daily prayer services with the scriptures and other content from The Upper Room.