Common Worship: Daily Prayer
()
About this ebook
Read more from Church Of England
Common Worship: Times and Seasons Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship Main Volume: Hardback Black Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Common Worship: Time to Pray Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFresh Expressions in the Mission of the Church: Report of an Anglican-Methodist working party Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Pastoral Ministry Companion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Collects and Post Communions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Pastoral Services Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Festivals Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Christian Initiation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Holy Communion Order One Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship Christian Initiation: Additional Baptism Texts in Accessible Language Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsReport of the House of Bishops Working Group on Human Sexuality: (The Pilling Report) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship Lectionary: Advent 2021 to the Eve of Advent 2022 (Standard Format) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship Lectionary Advent 2023 to the Eve of Advent 2024 (Standard Format) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChurch Representation Rules Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Marriage Booklet Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship Lectionary Advent 2019 to the eve of Advent 2020 standard edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship Lectionary: Advent 2022 to the Eve of Advent 2023 (Standard Format) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChurch Representation Rules 2020: With an introduction to the new simplified rules Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCanons of the Church of England 7th Edition: Full edition WITH First Supplement Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Common Worship
Related ebooks
Daily Prayer for All Seasons Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Holy Communion: Order Two Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWords for Worship: Prayers from the Heart of the Church of England Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Funeral Booklet Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship Christian Initiation: Additional Baptism Texts in Accessible Language Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Morning and Evening Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Festivals Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHear Our Prayer: Gospel-Based Intercessions for Sundays and Holy Days Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsReadings for Advent: Selections from A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship Lectionary: Advent 2021 to the Eve of Advent 2022 (Standard Format) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLeading Intercessions: Prayers for Sundays, Holy Days and Festivals and for Special Services Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Christian Initiation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFinding Your Way Around Common Worship: A Simple Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Holy Communion Order One Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCommon Worship: Pastoral Services Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThis Day (Regular Edition): A Wesleyan Way of Prayer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Living Book of Daily Prayer: Morning and Evening Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBook of Common Worship, Daily Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of Common Prayer: Pocket edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Using the Book of Common Prayer: A simple guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBook of Common Worship Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPocket Prayers for Troubled Times Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of Common Prayer: A Spiritual Treasure Chest—Selections Annotated & Explained Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDaily Prayer: A Modern Guide to Ancient Practices Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMorning and Evening Prayers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Forty Days with the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion: A Devotional Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Common Worship: Saints on Earth: A Biographical Companion to Common Worship Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBe Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Christianity For You
Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (updated with two new chapters) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Common Worship
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Common Worship - Church of England
Common Worship:
Daily Prayer
Church House Publishing
Copyright
Published by Church House Publishing
Church House
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3AZ
Copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2005
Index © Meg Davies 2005
First published 2005
Cased 978-0-7151-2073-6
Bonded leather 978-0-7151-2100-9
Presentation 978-0-7151-2178-8
ISBN (for this ePub Edition) 978-0-7151-2230-3
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, except as stated below, without written permission.
Texts for local use: the arrangements which apply to local editions of services cover reproduction on a non-commercial basis both for a single occasion and for repeated use. Details are available in the booklet A Brief Guide to Liturgical Copyright (see Copyright Information here for further information).
Designed by Derek Birdsall RDI and John Morgan
Ebook compiled by RefineCatch Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk
Contents
A note on using this Common Worship EPUB Edition
Authorization
General Introduction
General Notes
The Calendar
Prayer During the Day
Prayer During the Day in Ordinary Time
Prayer During the Day in Seasonal Time
Forms of Penitence
Morning and Evening Prayer
The Acclamation of Christ at the Dawning of the Day
The Blessing of Light
Morning and Evening Prayer in Ordinary Time
Morning and Evening Prayer in Seasonal Time
Additional Material for use at Morning and Evening Prayer
Night Prayer (Compline)
Prayers
Biddings
Responses
A Cycle of Intercession
Some Forms of Intercession
The Litany
Other Prayers
Collects and Suggested Canticles and Refrains
Canticles
The Psalter
Authorization Details
Acknowledgements and Sources
Copyright Information
The Lord’s Prayer
The Apostles’ Creed
A note on using this Common Worship EPUB edition
This Common Worship eBook is designed for use on any device able to read EPUB electronic books, such as an iPad using iBooks, or a Nook or Kobo eReader.
The following notes on navigating this publication on an eReader may be helpful, bearing in mind that using a prayer book is likely to be quite different to the experience of reading a novel or similar.
Finding your way around easily
♦ The Contents list contains links to each section of the book.
♦ You can access the Contents list from any section in the book by clicking on the underlined main heading.
♦ You will also find underlined cross-reference links – e.g. from a service to the text of The Lord’s Prayer. Click on the underlined ‘here’ to go to The Lord’s Prayer. When you have finished reading The Lord’s Prayer, press the Back button to return to the section you have just left.
♦ Selecting the Menu will also give you the option to search the text for a particular word or phrase.
Personalizing your Common Worship eBook
♦ You can bookmark particular sections to mark a place to which you want to return (in much the same way as you might use a ribbon in a printed liturgical book). Click on the bookmark icon in the menu bar.
♦ You can also add a note or highlight a particular section with a note, which may be helpful when planning worship or studying. Check the user guide for your device/eReader application for how to do this.
¶ Authorization
Common Worship: Daily Prayer is published at the request of the House of Bishops of the General Synod of the Church of England. It comprises
¶ services which comply with the provisions of A Service of the Word;
¶ material authorized for use until further resolution of the General Synod;
¶ material commended by the House of Bishops; and
¶ material, the use of which falls within the discretion allowed to the minister under the provisions of Canon B 5.
For details, see here.
¶ General Introduction
The patterns of daily prayer in this volume embrace the three key elements of praise, intercession and engagement with Scripture which form the heart of the daily praying tradition of the Church. It is a praying tradition that ranges from the Daily Office – celebrated as Christians gather together, perhaps with symbol, movement and song – to other styles of daily prayer, where individuals reflect on the Scriptures with or without the help of set forms of prayer, but often using a common scheme of Bible reading.
Prayer During the Day, Morning and Evening Prayer and Night Prayer provide ways of punctuating each day of the week with praise, prayer and attention to Scripture. Thus, as George Herbert put it, ‘seven whole days, not one in seven’ will we praise God, pray for God’s world and allow ourselves to be formed and re-formed by God’s word. This introduction is intended to help each person or group to make the most suitable and satisfying use of this provision. It is followed by some general notes and seasonal notes relevant to all the orders of prayer. More detailed guidance is provided in the introduction and the accompanying notes to Prayer During the Day, Morning and Evening Prayer and Night Prayer.
Where to Start
A regular pattern
Whether Common Worship: Daily Prayer is used by an individual, a small group, a parish at prayer or a religious community, the first decision to make is what the regular pattern of worship is to be. What is chosen will depend on a number of circumstances, including the time available. One of the following patterns may be worth considering:
¶ Simply using Prayer During the Day, perhaps balancing this with Night Prayer.
¶ Following the fuller diet of Morning and/or Evening Prayer.
¶ Using both Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer with Night Prayer.
¶ Celebrating a four-fold Office of Morning Prayer, Prayer During the Day in the form of Midday Prayer, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer.
Some will also be taking part in a daily celebration of the Holy Communion.
Penitence
There is also a decision to be made about whether or when to use one of the Forms of Penitence here. This may depend on whether Holy Communion or Night Prayer, both of which usually include prayers of penitence, are being celebrated that day.
Optional material and choices
Further judgements will be needed about how much of the optional material in each order will be appropriate and which, if any, of the various alternative texts will be used. Choices will also be influenced by the way in which those who use this book decide to listen to God through Scripture in their daily prayer. It is advisable, once choices have been made, to use them consistently for at least four weeks before any change is made.
What to Read
Common Worship: Daily Prayer is designed to be used with the Common Worship lectionaries. The annual lectionary booklet, which will need to be at hand, provides two tracks of readings suitable for the office, each with an Old Testament and a New Testament reading. Here are some questions that might be asked in deciding what to read:
How many readings might be read each day?
¶ Those who are praying twice a day, morning and evening, may simply follow both tracks in the lectionary booklet, a total of four readings a day.
¶ Those who pray only once a day may use just one of the tracks.
¶ Those who wish to concentrate on one biblical book at a time may follow just one of the readings from one of the tracks for a period, alternating between New Testament and Old Testament readings to retain a balance.
Can those who pray more than once a day create a varied pattern of prayer, praise and Bible reading?
¶ Many people will use the Common Worship weekday lectionary at Morning and Evening Prayer, for which it is primarily designed. Prayer During the Day can then be a simple act of praise and prayer, possibly in the form of Midday Prayer.
¶ Others may want to use Prayer During the Day as their opportunity for sustained engagement with Scripture and will concentrate their reading of Scripture there, thus freeing Morning or Evening Prayer to focus more on praise and intercession. In this case, the Common Worship weekday lectionary may be used at Prayer During the Day, whilst the short reading set for Prayer During the Day may be used within Morning or Evening Prayer.
There are many possible combinations. The important thing is to make responsible decisions about the use of Scripture that allow for reflection on God’s word, and for the offering of praise to God and prayer for God’s world in a balanced way during the day and week.
Choosing the Psalmody
The Common Worship weekday lectionary provides psalm cycles designed to be followed at Morning and Evening Prayer.
Three shorter psalm cycles are provided in this book, all of which are intended primarily to be used with Prayer During the Day.
¶ Two tables making use of Psalm 119 and the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 121–131 and 133) on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly pattern (here).
¶ A monthly psalm cycle for ordinary time (found within the daily orders for Prayer During the Day).
¶ A weekly psalm cycle for the seasons (found within the seasonal orders for Prayer During the Day).
If a pattern of Prayer During the Day, Morning and Evening Prayer is followed, it is recommended that the first of the above schemes for Prayer During the Day is followed, since there will be less likelihood of repetition in the psalmody.
¶ As with the Bible readings, the psalmody may be swapped between services, in a regular pattern. If several offices are said during the day and a more substantial diet of praise and psalmody is required at Midday Prayer, part of the Psalm provision in the Common Worship weekday lectionary may be used at Prayer During the Day, whilst one of the shorter Prayer During the Day cycles may be used at Morning or Evening Prayer.
¶ Suggested psalmody for Night Prayer is found within the order for Night Prayer itself and on the pages of daily and seasonal variations (here).
Where to Look in Daily Prayer
¶ The Contents pages indicate where each order of prayer can be found.
¶ It will also be necessary to know the time of the Christian year. This can be found out from the Seasonal Notes here (or from the annual lectionary booklet).
¶ In Ordinary Time (see here), there is a separate order for each day of the week for Prayer During the Day, Morning and Evening Prayer. There is also daily provision for Night Prayer (on here).
¶ For each liturgical season, there is a separate order for Prayer During the Day, Morning and Evening Prayer. There is also seasonal provision for Night Prayer (on here).
¶ The Collects and suggested canticles and refrains for Ordinary Time, for the seasons and for Holy Days may be found here. The Holy Days are set out in the Calendar (here).
¶ The General Notes (here) should also be consulted.
Setting the Scene
Attention to the place of prayer is important for those who are praying with others as much as for those who are praying by themselves.
¶ A group may find it helpful to sit in a semi-circle in an appropriately sized space, around a lectern on which the Bible is placed, rather than behind each other in pews in the main body of the church. An individual might sit regularly in a particular place, before an open Bible.
¶ Another focus may be found helpful, in addition to or occasionally in place of the lectern or Bible, such as a cross, a candle, an icon, a symbol of the season or some other Christian symbol.
¶ Other locations (e.g. around the font for the Thanksgiving for Holy Baptism here) may be suitable on different occasions, or during particular seasons.
¶ For those praying alone, anything that helps to give a sense of sharing in the prayer of the whole Church is to be welcomed.
Deciding How
The way in which these orders are celebrated helps or hinders the prayer of the worshipping group. Here are some well-tried suggestions:
¶ It is good to involve a number of people in leading and participating: reading from the Bible, for example, reading or leading the psalmody, or contributing biddings at the Prayers of Intercession.
¶ Singing, however simply, and even on one’s own, helps to deepen the worship. Singing can also unite a group or congregation, enriching their prayer and praise.
¶ A gentle and regular pace will also help to achieve this unity and focus the worship on God.
¶ Silence is not only an essential element of prayer and reflection, but also an effective way of binding the community together. It may be used at various points in any of the orders of prayer.
¶ Body posture is important, too. Even those who are praying alone will find that appropriate variation of position makes a positive difference.
¶ All of the orders lend themselves to the use of symbols and simple actions. A rough wooden cross in Passiontide, the Paschal Candle during Easter, icons of saints from All Saints’ Day until Advent are some seasonal ideas. The lighting of candles at appropriate points in the Forms of Penitence (here) and, of course, during the Blessing of Light (here), followed perhaps by the burning of incense in a censer or a simple pot during the singing of Psalm 141, are obvious and natural ways of expressing the liturgical words in action.
Decisions about singing, silence, symbol and the leading of the order of prayer should be made in advance, together with other necessary preparations. This ensures that worship can be offered by a well-prepared and confident praying community.
How to Recite
Whether singing or speaking, there are different ways of treating psalms and canticles.
¶ Some of the psalms, such as the more personal and penitential ones, are perhaps best spoken by a single voice. Everyone is encouraged to join in saying ‘Glory to the Father …’ at the end.
¶ Other psalms may be recited alternately (different individuals or groups taking alternate verses) or responsorially (using the refrain provided for the psalm – see here) at the beginning, end and whenever the symbol [R] appears.
¶ Certain psalms are best recited corporately; this is particularly appropriate for the opening canticles.
¶ The other canticles also have a refrain (sometimes called an antiphon) which is provided to set the tone. The antiphon both gives an indication of the daily or seasonal emphasis and provides text for an easily memorized musical response. It is usually used at the beginning and end of a canticle but, if this refrain is all that the people say or sing, it may be repeated regularly throughout the canticle.
¶ Even when praying alone, individuals may find that their act of praise and prayer is transformed by reading aloud.
Being Part of
a Wider Community of Prayer
Finally, although these are flexible orders of prayer that can be used in different ways according to the needs of particular praying people and communities, they will also, through common structures, texts and patterns of Scripture reading, unite those using them into one larger community of prayer. This community extends to all of those who, through the ages and across the nations, have sought to do as Jesus taught us and pray together for the hallowing of God’s name and the coming of God’s kingdom.
¶ General Notes
More detailed notes relating to each order of prayer follow the Introduction to each order. The following general notes are relevant to all the orders.
1 Saying and Singing
In the rubrics, ‘said’ and ‘sung’ are interchangeable.
2 Brackets
Items in square brackets [ ] may be omitted.
3 Hymns and Songs
Various points are indicated for the singing of hymns and songs but, if occasion requires, they may also be sung at other points. The hymns suggested are optional.
4 Silences
Periods of silence may be kept at different points. Silence may be particularly suitable at the beginning, after the readings and any sermon, and during the prayers.
5 Other versions
The readings and psalms may be read from any version which is not prohibited.
6 Psalms
References to the psalms are for the Common Worship Psalter. When versions of the psalms other than the Common Worship Psalter are used, such adaptations are made as are necessary.
7 Canticles
The canticles may be replaced by suitable hymns or songs. Metrical paraphrases may be used in place of the biblical canticles.
8 Refrains
Refrains (antiphons) have been provided, for optional use, with the canticles and the psalms. Refrains drawn from other passages of Scripture may be used.
9 The Peace
The Peace may be exchanged at the Conclusion of any order.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All and also with you.
These words may be added
Let us offer one another a sign of peace,
God’s seal on our prayers.
10 Holy Days
On Principal Feasts and other Principal Holy Days the orders of the season are used, except that on the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary the Christmas orders are used.
On Festivals, the orders for the period from All Saints’ Day until the day before the First Sunday of Advent may be used, with the following exceptions:
¶ On the Festivals of Stephen, John and the Holy Innocents, the Christmas orders are used;
¶ on the Festivals of Joseph, the Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Christmas orders may be used;
¶ on the Festival of the Birth of John the Baptist, the Advent orders may be used;
¶ on the Festival of Mary Magdalene, the Easter orders may be used;
¶ on the Festival of the Transfiguration, the Epiphany orders may be used; and
¶ on Holy Cross Day, the Passiontide orders may be used.
On Lesser Festivals and Commemorations the orders of the Season or of Ordinary Time, as the case may be, are used.
Collects, canticles and refrains specified for each Holy Day (texts that are proper to the day) can be found here (Temporale) and here (Sanctorale).
For more detailed seasonal notes, see here.
11 The Collect
The Collect of the day is usually the prayer proper to the Sunday of the current week. However, the Collect of a Principal Feast, other Principal Holy Day or Festival replaces this as the Collect of the day. When a Lesser Festival falls on a weekday, its Collect may be used in place of the Sunday Collect.
Seasonal Notes
The Sundays of the Year are listed in the Calendar here. The following notes explain the duration of each Season and relate them to the celebration of Prayer During the Day, Morning and Evening Prayer and Night Prayer.
1 Advent
¶ Advent begins at Evening Prayer on the Eve of the First Sunday of Advent and ends before Evening Prayer on Christmas Eve (except that the Collect of Christmas Eve is used throughout the day).
¶ The Collect of the First Sunday of Advent may be used each day in Advent.
2 Christmas
¶ Christmas begins at Evening Prayer on Christmas Eve; except that the Collect of Christmas Eve remains in use throughout the day. Christmas ends before Evening Prayer on the Eve of the Epiphany.
¶ If a Festival falls on either of the Sundays of Christmas, it may be observed on the Sunday or be transferred to the first available day.
3 Epiphany
¶ Epiphany begins at Evening Prayer on the Eve of the Epiphany (which may be celebrated on 6 January or the Sunday between 2 and 8 January) and ends at Evening Prayer (or Night Prayer) on the Feast of the Presentation (which may be celebrated on 2 February or the Sunday between 28 January and 3 February).
4 Lent
¶ Lent begins at Morning Prayer on Ash Wednesday and ends after Evening Prayer (or Night Prayer) on Easter Eve.
¶ ‘Alleluia’ is not said in Lent.
¶ The Collect of Ash Wednesday may be used on any day in Lent.
¶ Although Passiontide is a part of Lent, material proper to Passiontide is used from Evening Prayer on the Eve of the Fifth Sunday of Lent to the evening of Easter Eve (except where other provision is made, see below).
¶ No Principal Feast, Festival or Lesser Festival may be observed in Holy Week.
¶ From after the evening celebration of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday to the Easter Vigil, Morning, Evening or Night Prayer may be said in the following way:
¶ the Preparation is omitted and the order begins with the psalms;
¶ all glorias and doxologies are omitted;
¶ the Responsory is omitted;
¶ the Prayers consist of the Collect alone;
¶ the Conclusion is omitted.
5 Easter
¶ Easter begins with the Easter Vigil and ends after Evening Prayer (or Night Prayer) on the Day of Pentecost.
¶ The nine days after Ascension Day until the Day of Pentecost are days of prayer and preparation for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
¶ No Principal Feast, Festival or Lesser Festival is celebrated in Easter Week.
¶ Material proper to Easter is used from the Easter Vigil. Material proper to the period from Ascension Day until the Day of Pentecost is used from Evening Prayer on the Eve of Ascension Day.
¶ ‘Alleluia’ may be added to any refrain.
¶ The Paschal Candle may be lit at all offices until Evening Prayer (or Night Prayer) on the Day of Pentecost.
6 Ordinary Time
¶ Ordinary Time is the period from the day after the feast of the Presentation of Christ (which may be celebrated on 2 February or the Sunday between 28 January and 3 February) until Shrove Tuesday, and the period between the Day of Pentecost and the First Sunday of Advent.
¶ During Ordinary Time there is no seasonal emphasis, except that the period between All Saints’ Day and the First Sunday of Advent is observed as a time of celebration and reflection on the reign of Christ in earth and in heaven. Appropriate forms and variations for Prayer During the Day, Morning and Evening Prayer and Night Prayer are provided to emphasize this theme in the final weeks of Ordinary Time.
The Calendar
For Rules to Order the Christian Year, see Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, page 526.
In the printing of the Calendar, Principal Feasts and other Principal Holy Days are printed in bold; Festivals are printed in roman typeface; other Sundays and Lesser Festivals are printed in ordinary roman typeface, in black. Commemorations are printed in italics.
¶ The Seasons
Advent
The First Sunday of Advent
The Second Sunday of Advent
The Third Sunday of Advent
From 17 December (O Sapientia) begin the eight days of prayer before Christmas Day
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Christmas Eve
Christmas
Christmas Day – 25 December
The First Sunday of Christmas
The Second Sunday of Christmas
The days after Christmas Day until the Epiphany traditionally form a unity of days of special thanksgiving.
Epiphany
The Epiphany – 6 January
The Baptism of Christ – The First Sunday of Epiphany
(The Second Sunday of Epiphany when 6 January is a Sunday)
The Second Sunday of Epiphany
The Third Sunday of Epiphany
The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) – 2 February
Ordinary Time
This begins on the day following the Presentation
The Fifth Sunday before Lent
The Fourth Sunday before Lent
The Third Sunday before Lent
The Second Sunday before Lent
The Sunday next before Lent
Lent
Ash Wednesday
The First Sunday of Lent
The Second Sunday of Lent
The Third Sunday of Lent
The Fourth Sunday of Lent – Mothering Sunday
The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passiontide begins)
Palm Sunday
Monday of Holy Week
Tuesday of Holy Week
Wednesday of Holy Week
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Eve
Easter
Easter Day
Monday of Easter Week
Tuesday of Easter Week
Wednesday of Easter Week
Thursday of Easter Week
Friday of Easter Week
Saturday of Easter Week
The Second Sunday of Easter
The Third Sunday of Easter
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Ascension Day
From Friday after Ascension Day begin the nine days of prayer before Pentecost
The Seventh Sunday of Easter – Sunday after Ascension Day
Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
Ordinary Time
This is resumed on the Monday following the Day of Pentecost
Trinity Sunday
The Thursday after Trinity Sunday may be observed as The Day of Thanksgiving for the Institution of Holy Communion (Corpus Christi)
The First Sunday after Trinity
The Second Sunday after Trinity
The Third Sunday after Trinity
The Fourth Sunday after Trinity
The Fifth Sunday after Trinity
The Sixth Sunday after Trinity
The Seventh Sunday after Trinity
The Eighth Sunday after Trinity
The Ninth Sunday after Trinity
The Tenth Sunday after Trinity
The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity
The Last Sunday after Trinity
Dedication Festival – The First Sunday in October or The Last Sunday after Trinity, if date unknown
All Saints’ Day – 1 November
The Sunday between 30 October and 5 November may be kept as All Saints’ Sunday or as:
The Fourth Sunday before Advent
The Third Sunday before Advent
The Second Sunday before Advent
Christ the King – The Sunday next before Advent
¶ Holy Days
For the key to the typography, see here.
January
1 The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
2 Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389
2 Seraphim, Monk of Sarov, Spiritual Guide, 1833
2 Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945
6 The Epiphany
10 William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645
11 Mary Slessor, Missionary in West Africa, 1915
12 Aelred of Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167
12 Benedict Biscop, Abbot of Wearmouth, Scholar, 689
13 Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367
13 Kentigern (Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603
13 George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers), 1691
17 Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356
17 Charles Gore, Bishop, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932
18–25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
18 Amy Carmichael, Founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship, spiritual writer, 1951
19 Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095
20 Richard Rolle of Hampole, Spiritual Writer, 1349
21 Agnes, Child Martyr at Rome, 304
22 Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain, 304
24 Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622
25 The Conversion of Paul
26 Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul
28 Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith, 1274
30 Charles, King and Martyr, 1649
31 John Bosco, Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888
February
1 Brigid, Abbess of Kildare, c.525
2 The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)
3 Anskar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary in Denmark and Sweden, 865
4 Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189
6 The Martyrs of Japan, 1597
10 Scholastica, sister of Benedict, Abbess of Plombariola, c.543
14 Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs, 869 and 885
14 Valentine, Martyr at Rome, c.269
15 Sigfrid, Bishop, Apostle of Sweden, 1045
15 Thomas Bray, Priest, Founder of the SPCK and the SPG, 1730
17 Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda, Martyr, 1977
23 Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c.155
27 George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633
Alternative dates
Matthias may be celebrated on 24 February instead of 14 May.
March
1 David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales, c.601
2 Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, Missionary, 672
7 Perpetua, Felicity and their Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 203
8 Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, 1910
8 Felix, Bishop, Apostle to the East Angles, 647
8 Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, Priest, Poet, 1929
17 Patrick, Bishop, Missionary, Patron of Ireland, c.460
18 Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, Teacher of the Faith, 386
19 Joseph of Nazareth
20 Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 687
21 Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Reformation Martyr, 1556
24 Walter Hilton of Thurgarton, Augustinian Canon, Mystic, 1396
24 Paul Couturier, Priest, Ecumenist, 1953
24 Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980
25 The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
26 Harriet Monsell, Founder of the Community of St John the Baptist, 1883
31 John Donne, Priest, Poet, 1631
Alternative dates
Chad may be celebrated with Cedd on 26 October instead of 2 March.
Cuthbert may be celebrated on 4 September instead of 20 March.
April
1 Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest, Teacher of the Faith, 1872
9 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran Pastor, Martyr, 1945
10 William Law, Priest, Spiritual Writer, 1761
10 William of Ockham, Friar, Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith, 1347
11 George Augustus Selwyn, first Bishop of New Zealand, 1878
16 Isabella Gilmore, Deaconess, 1923
19 Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1012
21 Anselm, Abbot of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher of the Faith, 1109
23 George, Martyr, Patron of England, c.304
24 Mellitus, Bishop of London, first Bishop at St Paul’s, 624
24 The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood, Solomon Islands, 2003
25 Mark the Evangelist
27 Christina Rossetti, Poet, 1894
28 Peter Chanel, Missionary in the South Pacific, Martyr, 1841
29 Catherine of Siena, Teacher of the Faith, 1380
30 Pandita Mary Ramabai, Translator of the Scriptures, 1922
May
1 Philip and James, Apostles
2 Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373
4 English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era
8 Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer, c.1417
12 Gregory Dix, Priest, Monk, Scholar, 1952
14 Matthias the Apostle
16 Caroline Chisholm, Social Reformer, 1877
19 Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic Life, 988
20 Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot of Tours, 804
21 Helena, Protector of the Holy Places, 330
24 John and Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788
25 The Venerable Bede, Monk at Jarrow, Scholar, Historian, 735
25 Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne, 709
26 Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, 605
26 John Calvin, Reformer, 1564
26 Philip Neri, Founder of the Oratorians, Spiritual Guide, 1595
28 Lanfranc, Prior of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Scholar, 1089
30 Josephine Butler, Social Reformer, 1906
30 Joan of Arc, Visionary, 1431
30 Apolo Kivebulaya, Priest, Evangelist in Central Africa, 1933
31 The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
Alternative dates
Matthias may be celebrated on 24 February instead of 14 May.
The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth may be celebrated on 2 July instead of 31 May.
June
1 Justin, Martyr at Rome, c.165
3 The Martyrs of Uganda, 1885–7 and 1977
4 Petroc, Abbot of Padstow, 6th century
5 Boniface (Wynfrith) of Crediton, Bishop, Apostle of Germany, Martyr, 754
6 Ini Kopuria, Founder of the Melanesian Brotherhood, 1945
8 Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, Nonjuror, Hymn Writer, 1711
9 Columba, Abbot of Iona, Missionary, 597
9 Ephrem of Syria, Deacon, Hymn Writer, Teacher of the Faith, 373
11 Barnabas the Apostle
14 Richard Baxter, Puritan Divine, 1691
15 Evelyn Underhill, Spiritual Writer, 1941
16 Richard, Bishop of Chichester, 1253
16 Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, Philosopher, 1752
17 Samuel and Henrietta Barnett, Social Reformers, 1913 and 1936
18 Bernard Mizeki, Apostle of the MaShona, Martyr, 1896
19 Sundar Singh of India, Sadhu (holy man), Evangelist, Teacher of the Faith, 1929
22 Alban, first Martyr of Britain, c.250
23 Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, c.678
24 The Birth of John the Baptist
27 Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 444
28 Irenæus, Bishop of Lyons, Teacher of the Faith, c.200
29 Peter and Paul, Apostles
Alternative dates
Peter the Apostle may be celebrated alone, without Paul, on 29 June.
July
1 Henry, John, and Henry Venn the younger, Priests, Evangelical Divines, 1797, 1813 and 1873
3 Thomas the Apostle
6 Thomas More, Scholar, and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Reformation Martyrs, 1535
11 Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, Father of Western Monasticism, c.550
14 John Keble, Priest, Tractarian, Poet, 1866
15 Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c.862
15 Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher of the Faith, 1274
16 Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099
18 Elizabeth Ferard, first Deaconess of the Church of England, Founder of the Community of St Andrew, 1883
19 Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, and his sister Macrina, Deaconess, Teachers of the Faith, c.394 and c.379
20 Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th century
20 Bartolomé de las Casas, Apostle to the Indies, 1566
22 Mary Magdalene
23 Bridget of Sweden, Abbess of Vadstena, 1373
25 James the Apostle
26 Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
27 Brooke Foss Westcott, Bishop of Durham, Teacher of the Faith, 1901
29 Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Companions of Our Lord
30 William Wilberforce, Social Reformer,
Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson
Anti-Slavery Campaigners, 1833, 1797 and 1846
31 Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556
Alternative dates
The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth may be celebrated on 2 July instead of 31 May.
Thomas the Apostle may be celebrated on 21 December instead of 3 July.
Thomas Becket may be celebrated on 7 July instead of 29 December.
August
4 Jean-Baptiste Vianney, Curé d’Ars, Spiritual Guide, 1859
5 Oswald, King of Northumbria, Martyr, 642
6 The Transfiguration of Our Lord
7 John Mason Neale, Priest, Hymn Writer, 1866
8 Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers, 1221
9 Mary Sumner, Founder of the Mothers’ Union, 1921
10 Laurence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258
11 Clare of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253
11 John Henry Newman, Priest, Tractarian, 1890
13 Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor, Teacher of the Faith, 1667
13 Florence Nightingale, Nurse, Social Reformer, 1910
13 Octavia Hill, Social Reformer, 1912
14 Maximilian Kolbe, Friar, Martyr, 1941
15 The Blessed Virgin Mary
20 Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, Teacher of the Faith, 1153
20 William and Catherine Booth, Founders of the Salvation Army, 1912 and 1890
24 Bartholomew the Apostle
27 Monica, mother of Augustine of Hippo, 387
28 Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Teacher of the Faith, 430
29 The Beheading of John the Baptist
30 John Bunyan, Spiritual Writer, 1688
31 Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 651
Alternative dates
The Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated on 8 September instead of 15 August.
September
1 Giles of Provence, Hermit, c.710
2 The Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, 1901 and 1942
3 Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 604
4 Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester (Oxon), Apostle of Wessex, 650
6 Allen Gardiner, Missionary, Founder of the South American Mission Society, 1851
8 The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9 Charles Fuge Lowder, Priest, 1880
13 John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, Teacher of the Faith, 407
14 Holy Cross Day
15 Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, 258
16 Ninian, Bishop of Galloway, Apostle of the Picts, c.432
16 Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest, Tractarian, 1882
17 Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, Visionary, 1179
19 Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, 690
20 John Coleridge Patteson, First Bishop of Melanesia, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1871
21 Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
25 Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, Spiritual Writer, 1626
25 Sergei of Radonezh, Russian Monastic Reformer, Teacher of the Faith, 1392
26 Wilson Carlile, Founder of the Church Army, 1942
27 Vincent de Paul, Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists), 1660
29 Michael and All Angels
30 Jerome, Translator of the Scriptures, Teacher of the Faith, 420
Alternative dates
Cuthbert may be celebrated on 4 September instead of 20 March.
October
1 Remigius, Bishop of Rheims, Apostle of the Franks, 533
1 Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, Social Reformer, 1885
3 George Bell, Bishop of Chichester, Ecumenist, Peacemaker, 1958
4 Francis of Assisi, Friar, Deacon, Founder of the Friars Minor, 1226
6 William Tyndale, Translator of the Scriptures, Reformation Martyr, 1536
9 Denys, Bishop of Paris, and his Companions, Martyrs, c.250
9 Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, Philosopher, Scientist, 1253
10 Paulinus, Bishop of York, Missionary, 644
10 Thomas Traherne, Poet, Spiritual Writer, 1674
11 Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking, 675
11 James the Deacon, companion of Paulinus, 7th century
12 Wilfrid of Ripon, Bishop, Missionary, 709
12 Elizabeth Fry, Prison Reformer, 1845
12 Edith Cavell, Nurse, 1915
13 Edward the Confessor, King of England, 1066
15 Teresa of Avila, Teacher of the Faith, 1582
16 Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, and Hugh Latimer, Bishop of Worcester, Reformation Martyrs, 1555
17 Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Martyr, c.107
18 Luke the Evangelist
19 Henry Martyn, Translator of the Scriptures, Missionary in India and Persia, 1812
25 Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs at Rome, c.287
26 Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, Scholar, 899
26 Cedd, Abbot of Lastingham, Bishop of the East Saxons, 664
28 Simon and Jude, Apostles
29 James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, Martyr in Uganda, 1885
31 Martin Luther, Reformer, 1546
Alternative dates
Chad may be celebrated with Cedd on 26 October instead of 2 March.
November
1 All Saints’ Day
2 Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)
3 Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher of the Faith, 1600
3 Martin of Porres, Friar, 1639
6 Leonard, Hermit, 6th century
6 William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher of the Faith, 1944
7 Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739
8 The Saints and Martyrs of England
9 Margery Kempe, Mystic, c.1440
10 Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 461
11 Martin, Bishop of Tours, c.397
13 Charles Simeon, Priest, Evangelical Divine, 1836
14 Samuel Seabury, first Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796
16 Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Philanthropist, Reformer of the Church, 1093
16 Edmund Rich of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1240
17 Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200
18 Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, Philanthropist, 1231
19 Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680
19 Mechtild, Béguine of Magdeburg, Mystic, 1280
20 Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870
20 Priscilla Lydia Sellon, a Restorer of the Religious Life in the Church of England, 1876
22 Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c.230
23 Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, c.100
25 Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century
25 Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer, 1748
29 Day of Intercession and Thanksgiving for the Missionary Work of the Church
30 Andrew the Apostle
December
1 Charles de Foucauld, Hermit in the Sahara, 1916
3 Francis Xavier, Missionary, Apostle of the Indies, 1552
4 John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, c.749
4 Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, Founder of the Little Gidding Community, 1637
6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c.326
7 Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, 397
8 The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
13 Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304
13 Samuel Johnson, Moralist, 1784
14 John of the Cross, Poet, Teacher of the Faith, 1591
17 O Sapientia
17 Eglantyne Jebb, Social Reformer, Founder of ‘Save The Children’, 1928
24 Christmas Eve
25 Christmas Day
26 Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr
27 John, Apostle and Evangelist
28 The Holy Innocents
29 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170
31 John Wyclif, Reformer, 1384
Alternative dates
Thomas the Apostle may be celebrated on 21 December instead of 3 July.
Thomas Becket may be celebrated on 7 July instead of 29 December.
Common Worship: Festivals, material from which is reproduced above, is copyright © The Archbishop's Council 2006.
¶ The Date of Easter
and Other Variable Dates
For the lectionary years, see Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, page 538.
Prayer During the Day
Contents
Introduction
Structure
Notes
Psalm Tables for Psalm 119 and Psalms 121–131, 133 (the Psalms of Ascent)
Prayer During the Day in Ordinary Time
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Prayer During the Day in Seasonal Time
Advent
Christmas Season
Epiphany Season
Lent
Passiontide
Easter Season
From Ascension Day until the Day of Pentecost
From All Saints’ Day until the day before the First Sunday of Advent
Prayer During the Day
¶ Introduction
Prayer During the Day provides material for a number of patterns of prayer.
¶ It provides a framework for a daily Quiet Time and Bible study – an Office of Readings.
¶ It is a single order for those who wish to be united with the Church’s daily corporate offering of prayer.
¶ It is a simple order for use during the day, with Night Prayer as a simple evening office.
¶ It is Midday Prayer for those who wish to supplement the saying of Morning and Evening Prayer.
¶ It is a model for prayer at the third, sixth and ninth hours – traditionally called Terce, Sext and None – as used by some religious communities and their associates.
Using Prayer During the Day –
a variety of patterns
Many people have evolved a daily Quiet Time, for reading Scripture and for praying. With this in mind, Prayer During the Day is offered as a framework for personal devotion; it follows a pattern which would be shared with others. In this way Christians can be united in their worship by making use of common lectionary resources and the overall shape of the Church’s year.
Some will use Prayer During the Day as their sole act of prayer and praise. Others will use both Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer in a simple pattern of prayer at the beginning and end of the day.
There will be those who wish to say the offices of Morning and Evening Prayer each day but without lengthy readings. They will be looking to what is sometimes called the ‘city’ or ‘cathedral’ model of office – prayer and praise – rather than to what is sometimes called the ‘desert’ or ‘monastic’ model of office – reading and meditation. For those who use Morning and Evening Prayer to focus on prayer and praise, Prayer During the Day will become a time for a greater concentration on Bible reading and meditation – an Office of Readings.
Others will use Morning and Evening Prayer with full Bible readings. Prayer During the Day will then become Midday Prayer, perhaps using the short Bible readings printed in the text of the service.
All of these patterns are variations on a common theme – praying the Bible together. A church in which people pray the Bible together becomes a church which is equipped for proclamation and service. It is in this hope that Prayer During the Day is offered as a simple starting point for common daily prayer. It is advisable, once choices have been made, to use them consistently for at least four weeks before any change is made.
Prayer During the Day
Structure
¶ Preparation
Opening responses, or another introduction. A Form of Penitence may be used here or in the Prayers.
¶ Praise
Either the printed text or another acclamation, hymn or song
¶ The Word of God
A psalm, and one or more Bible readings
¶ Response
The printed text, or a less formal response
¶ Prayers
Intercessions, a Collect and the Lord’s Prayer
¶ The Conclusion
A closing prayer, dismissal, blessing, or other ending
¶ Notes to Prayer During the Day
A pattern for Prayer During the Day is provided for each day of the week. This may be used on that day of the week at any time of year. In addition there is a form of Prayer During the Day for each of the seasons of the Church’s year. This may be used throughout the season or at certain high points: for example, the Easter form might be used on Easter Day, or for the first week of Eastertide, or throughout Eastertide.
1 Preparation
A versicle and response is the conventional opening for a short order of prayer of this kind. Alternatively people may like to begin by quietly meditating on a verse of scripture.
A Form of Penitence (here) may be used here or in the Prayers.
2 Praise
Praise may include a hymn, song, canticle, extempore praise or the text provided. Hymns for Prayer and Praise, the New English Hymnal and other collections contain ‘office hymns’ which may be used here.
3 Psalmody
At least one psalm should be included on each occasion.
A daily or seasonal psalm and a four-week cycle are provided. Two tables making use of Psalm 119 (the great psalm of contemplation on God’s word) and Psalms 121–131 and 133 (the Psalms of Ascent, used by pilgrims on the way up to Jerusalem) on a weekly, fortnightly and monthly pattern are also provided (here). These are especially appropriate when Prayer During the Day is being used alongside the other offices. Alternatively, part of the psalm provision for Morning or Evening Prayer in the Common Worship Weekday Lectionary may be used, or any section of Psalm 119 may be chosen.
4 Readings
One of the following is used:
¶ The short reading printed in the order.
¶ On weekdays one or more of the readings appointed for Morning or Evening Prayer or Holy Communion in the Common Worship Weekday Lectionary.
¶ On Sundays and Principal Holy Days, one or both of the readings appointed for the Third Service are used (if not used at another service that day).
Personal or corporate Bible study might also take place at this point.
5 Response
A versicle and response are provided for use after the reading. Other appropriate responses include silence, group discussion, responsive prayer and singing.
6 Prayers
The Prayers may include a litany, extempore prayer, or a pattern of intercessions. Forms of intercession are provided here. A General Thanksgiving (here) may also be used. This section should also include the Lord’s Prayer and the prayer provided in the text, the Collect of the day, or some other prayer.
7 The Conclusion
The office concludes with a dismissal, a closing prayer, the Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All and also with you.
These words may be added
Let us offer one another a sign of peace,
God’s seal on our prayers.
or another ending.
¶ Psalm Tables for Psalm 119 and Psalms 121–131, 133 (the Psalms of Ascent)
Over a calendar month
Over a week or a fortnight
Psalm 119 and the Psalms of Ascent may be used over a fortnight as follows:
Alternatively, Psalm 119 and the Psalms of Ascent may be used, together or alone, on a weekly cycle.
¶ Prayer During the Day on Sunday
Preparation
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
My heart tells of your word, ‘Seek my face.’
All Your face, Lord, will I seek.
Psalm 27.10
Praise
A hymn, song, canticle, extempore praise or
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as the Lord;
all creation worships you,
the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
from Te Deum Laudamus
The Word of God
Psalmody
On any Sunday Psalm 19
(or)
When Morning and Evening Prayer are also celebrated, one of the monthly, fortnightly or weekly cycles may be followed here.
Each psalm or group of psalms may end with
All Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Short readings
Week One
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Genesis 1.1-5
Week Two
If anyone is in Christ,