1 The Order for Monday Morning Prayer Begin with one or more of the calls to worship and use the prayers following: THE LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psalm 122:1 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling. Psalm 43:3 Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15 The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. St. John 4:23 Repentance Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2 When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezekiel 18:27 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Psalm 51:9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 St. John 1:8, 9 A General Confession ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, I have erred, and strayed from your ways like a lost lamb. I have followed too much the devices and desires of my own heart. I have
2 offended against you holy laws. I have left undone those things which I ought to have done; And I have done those things which I ought not to have done; And there is no health in me. But O Lord, have mercy upon me, a miserable offender. Spare me, O God, who confesses my faults. Restore me the one is repentant; According to your promises declared unto mankind In Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That I may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of your holy Name. Amen. Wherefore I beseech you to grant us me true repentance, and your Holy Spirit, that those things may please you which I do at this present; and that the rest of our my life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last I may come to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Pursuit of God O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus name. Amen. (A.W. Tozer) Valley of the Vision Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine; let me find thy light in my darkness, thy life in my death, thy joy in my sorrow, thy grace in my sin, thy riches in my poverty, thy glory in my valley (A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions). Lord s Prayer OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. O Lord, open thou our lips. Answer. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Minister. Praise ye the Lord. Answer. The Lord s Name be praised. Monday Prayer Challenge us with your presence today, O God. Meet us everywhere: at home... at work... at play... at school... in traffic. Drop us hints of your nearness, to get out attention and sharpen our senses, and to remind us of who you are, and who we are, and what we are about. In Jesus Name. Amen. (Mark Landfried, Let us Pray, p.86) Venite, exultemus Domino. from Psalms 95 and 96 O COME, let us sing unto the LORD; * let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; * and show ourselves glad in him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God; * and a great King above all gods. In his hand are all the corners of the earth; * and the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it; * and his hands prepared the dry land. O come, let us worship and fall down, * and kneel before the LORD our Maker. For he is the Lord our God; * and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; * let the whole earth stand in awe of him. For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; * and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples with his truth. Insert your Old Testament Reading here, then pray... Te Deum laudamus WE praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
4 All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens, and all the Powers therein; To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee. The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; The Father: of an infinite Majesty; Thine adorable, true, and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. THOU art the King of Glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin. When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge. We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting. O LORD, save thy people, and bless thine heritage. Govern them, and lift them up forever. Day by day we magnify thee; And we worship thy Name ever, world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in thee. O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded. Insert your New Testament Reading here, then pray... Benedictus. St. Luke 1:68-79 BLESSED be the Lord God of Israel; * for he hath visited and redeemed his people; And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us, * in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, * which have been since the world began; That we should be saved from our enemies, * and from the hand of all that hate us. T O perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, * and to remember his holy covenant; To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, * that he would give us; That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies * might serve him without fear; In holiness and righteousness before him, * all the days of our life.
5 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: * for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people * for the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; * whereby the day- spring from on high hath visited us; To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Insert your Gospel reading here, then reflectively recite, prayerfully... The Apostles Creed I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, died, and was buried, He descended into hell (hades); The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And took His seat on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From there he shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The holy catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen. The Lord be with you. Answer. And with thy spirit. Minister. Let us pray. Minister. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us. Answer. And grant us thy salvation. Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us. Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us. A Collect for Peace O GOD, you are the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life, to serve you is perfect freedom; Defend us your humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in you defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Collect for Grace O LORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with your mighty power;
6 and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by your governance, may be righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer for the President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority O LORD, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who from your throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we pray, with your favor to behold and bless your servant [N ], our President, [our Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled], [N ], the Governor of our State, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of your Holy Spirit, that they may always incline to your will, and walk in your way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and prosperity long to live; and finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer for the Clergy and People ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom comes every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our spiritual leaders, be they apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers, and all your pastors, and upon the congregations they are committed to equip and serve, the healthful Spirit of your grace; and, that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen. Monday s Focus is on the Workforce and on the Families with whom we worship: For Every Man in his Work ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who declares your glory and shows your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth; Deliver us, we pray, in our several callings, from the service of materialism, that we may do the work which you gave us to do, in truth, in beauty, and in righteousness, with singleness of heart as your servants, and to the benefit of our fellow men; for the sake of him who came among us as one that serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For a Blessing on the Families of the Land ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who sets the solitary in families; We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them, we pray, every root of bitterness, the desire of vain- glory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection
7 those who, in holy marriage, have been made one flesh; turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may be evermore affectionate with brotherly love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Faithfulness in the Use of this World s Goods ALMIGHTY God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess; Grant us grace that we may honor you with our substance, and remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Full surrender Lord, afresh this moment, I surrender every part of my being - - - - all I am and all I have - - - - to You. I consecrate to You my life... my time... my body... by tongue... my possessions... my mind... my will... my affections... my relationships... myself. Take me, have me, do with me as You please. I am Yours for this moment and forever. Please work out that surrender in my life - - - - - every day, in every matter, until I bow before You in eternity. Amen (Nancy DeMoss). A General Intercession O GOD, at whose word mankind goes forth to his work and to his labor until the evening; Be merciful to all whose duties are difficult or burdensome, and comfort them concerning their toil. Shield, from bodily accident and harm, the workmen at their work. Protect the efforts of sober and honest industry, and do not allow the hire of the laborers to be kept back by fraud. Incline the heart of employers and of those whom they employ to mutual forbearance, fairness, and good- will. Give the spirit of governance and of a sound mind to all in places of authority. Bless all those who labor in works of mercy or in schools of good learning. Care for all aged persons, and all little children, the sick and the afflicted, and those who travel by land or by sea. Remember all who by reason of weakness are over burdened, or because of poverty are forgotten. Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you; and according to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are appointed to die. Give ear unto our prayer, O merciful and gracious Father, for the love of thy dear Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. A Prayer for all Conditions of Men O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health to all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to
8 your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [*especially those for whom our prayers are desired;] that it may please you to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ s sake. Amen. A General Thanksgiving ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we, your unworthy servants, do give you most humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving- kindness to us, and to all men. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for your inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech you, give us that due sense of all your mercies, that our hearts may be without fail thankful; and that we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving our- selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen. A Prayer of St. Chrysostom ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto you; and who promised that when two or three are gathered together in your Name you would grant their requests; Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. Here ends the Order of Morning Prayer. After evening dinner, or on a walk, as reflection over the day ensues Thank you for coming to us today, O God, in the wonder of your love. Live in the secret places of our hearts where we have tried so hard to keep you out, those places where you know us as we really are. Fill us with your Spirit, and by your grace sent us out into the mix of whatever this week will bring in order to show your compassionate strengthening love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Mark Landfried, Let us Pray, p.86 adapted)
9 EVENING PRAYER OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, 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. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Confession of Sins, with a Prayer for Contrition and Pardon MOST merciful God, who are of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and has promised forgiveness to all those who confess and forsake their sins; We come before you in a humble sense of our own unworthiness, acknowledging our manifold transgressions of your righteous laws.* But, O gracious Father, who desires not the death of a sinner, look upon us, we pray, in mercy, and forgive us all our transgressions. Make us deeply sensible of the great evil of them; and work in us a hearty contrition; that we may obtain forgiveness at your hands, who are ever ready to receive humble and penitent sinners; for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, our only Savior and Redeemer. Amen. Prayer for Grace to Reform and Grow Better AND lest, through our own frailty, or the temptations which encompass us, we be drawn again into sin; Secure to us, we pray, the direction and assistance of your Holy Spirit. Reform whatever is amiss in the temper and disposition of our souls; that no unclean thoughts, unlawful designs, or inordinate desires, may rest there. Purge our hearts from envy, hatred, and malice; that we may never allow the sun to go down upon our wrath; but may always go to our rest in peace, charity, and good- will, with a conscience void of offence towards you, and towards men; that so we may be preserved pure and blameless, unto the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The Intercession AND accept, O Lord, our intercessions for all mankind. Let the light of your Gospel shine upon all nations; and may as many as have received it, live consistent with it. Be gracious to your Church; and grant that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may serve you faithfully. Bless all in authority over us; and so rule their hearts and strengthen their hands, that they may punish wickedness and vice, and maintain your true religion and virtue. Send down your blessings, temporal and spiritual, upon all our
10 relations, friends, and neighbors. Reward all who have done us good, and pardon all those who have done or wish us evil, and give them repentance and better minds. Be merciful to all who are in any trouble; and do, O God of pity, administer to them according to their several necessities; for his sake who went about doing good, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. TO our prayers, O Lord, we join our unfailing thanks for all your mercies; for our being, our reason, and all other endowments and faculties of soul and body; for our health, friends, food, and raiment, and all the other comforts and conveniences of life. Above all, we adore your mercy in sending your only Son into the world, to redeem us from sin and eternal death, and in giving us the knowledge and sense of our duty towards you. We bless you for your patience with us, in spite of our many and great provocations; for all the directions, assistances, and comforts of your Holy Spirit; for your continual care and watchful providence over us through the whole course of our lives; and particularly for the mercies and benefits of the past day; we ask to continue these your blessings to us, and to give us grace to show our thankfulness in a sincere obedience to your laws; through whose merits and intercession we received them all, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Prayer for God s Protection through the Night Following IN particular, we ask you to continue your gracious protection to us this night. Defend us from all dangers and evils, and from the fear of them; that we may enjoy such refreshing sleep as may fit us for the duties of the coming day. And grant us grace always to live in such a state that we may never be afraid to die; so that, living and dying, we may be yours, through the merits and satisfaction of your Son Christ Jesus, in whose Name we offer up these our imperfect prayers. Amen. THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. Herein ends the evening office of prayer.