Daytime Prayers
INTRODUCTION
God, + come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
HYMN
At Midmorning [Terce]
With faith in God by which we live,
by lasting hope that spurs on faith,
and by the grace of charity
we sing the glory of the Christ.
Led forth at this third hour to die,
he gave himself in sacrifice
and suffered hanging on the Cross,
to find his sheep and lead them home.
Made free by his redeeming blood,
as humble servants, let us pray
that he may save from worldly pride
all those released from death’s decree.
We ask the Father and the Son
and beg the Spirit of them both:
Sustain us with your loving care,
who reign forever Three in One. Amen.
Tune: O WALY WALY, 8 8 8 8
Music: English traditional melody
or Mode II, melody 50; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Dei fide, qua vivimus, 8th c., © 2023 ICEL
Ant. The time of penance has come, the time to atone for our sins and seek our salvation.
At Midday [Sext]
May Christ, as he ascends the Cross,
consumed with thirst and noonday heat,
grant those who sing the psalms this hour
to grow in thirst for righteousness.
May hunger likewise fill their hearts,
which he from his own self will sate,
that they may lose all taste for sin
and virtue be their sole desire.
Then may the Holy Spirit’s gifts
so fill the souls of those who pray,
that passion in the flesh may cool
and chill of mind and heart grow warm.
We ask the Father and the Son
and beg the Spirit of them both:
Sustain us with your loving care,
who reign forever Three in One. Amen.
Tune: As above
Text: Qua Christus hora situit, 8th c., © 2023 ICEL
Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die, but to turn back to me and live.
At Midafternoon [None]
Three times three hours, a sacred sum,
unfolds before us as we sing:
in Jesus’ holy name we beg
the gift of pardon for our sins.
See how the thief confessed his faith
and merited Christ’s saving grace;
let our devotion and our praise
obtain his pardon and his love.
Now death is ruined by the Cross
and after darkness light returns;
let horror brought by sin disperse
and splendor shine in minds and heart.
We ask the Father and the Son
and beg the Spirit of them both:
Sustain us with your loving care,
who reign forever Three in One. Amen.
Tune: As above
Text: Ternis ter horis numeris, 8th c., © 2023 ICEL
Ant. Armed with God’s justice and power, let us prove ourselves through patient endurance.
PSALMODY
Go to the Complementary Psalmody
Psalm 119:153-160
XX (Resh)
A meditation on God’s law
I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34).
See my affliction and save me *
for I remember your law.
Uphold my cause and defend me; *
by your promise give me life.
Salvation is far from the wicked *
who are heedless of your commands.
Numberless, Lord, are your mercies; *
with your decrees give me life.
Though my foes and oppressors are countless *
I have not swerved from your will.
I look at the faithless with disgust; *
they ignore your promise.
See how I love your precepts; *
in your mercy give me life.
Your word is founded on truth: *
your decrees are eternal.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son: *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Help us always to rejoice in your promise, Father, and to praise the glory of your deeds. Keep us united in the love of your peace; then we shall have little to fear from the threats of the mighty.
Psalm 128
Happiness of family life rooted in God
“May the Lord bless you from Zion,” refers to the Church (Arnobius).
O blessed are those who fear the Lord *
and walk in his ways!
By the labor of your hands you shall eat. *
You will be happy and prosper;
your wife like a fruitful vine *
in the heart of your house;
Your children like shoots of the olive, *
around your table.
Indeed thus shall be blessed *
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion *
all the days of your life!
May you see your children’s children *
in a happy Jerusalem!
On Israel, peace!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son: *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Give lasting happiness, Lord, to those who reverence your name, so that our life and work may be such as to deserve your commendation, and bring us, laden with good fruit, to our everlasting home.
Psalm 129
God’s people reaffirm their trust in time of affliction
The voice of the Church lamenting its suffering is heard in this psalm (Saint Augustine).
“They have pressed me hard from my youth,” *
this is Israel’s song.
“They have pressed me hard from my youth *
but could never destroy me.
They plowed my back like plowmen, *
drawing long furrows.
But the Lord, who is just, has destroyed *
the yoke of the wicked.”
Let them be shamed and routed, *
those who hate Zion!
Let them be like grass on the roof *
that withers before it flowers.
With that no reaper fills his arms, *
no binder makes his sheaves
and those passing by will not say: *
“On you the Lord’s blessing!”
“We bless you in the name of the Lord.”
Glory to the Father, and to the Son: *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord Jesus, living in glory as the Son of Man, remember that when our sins had ploughed long furrows on your back, your death broke the bonds of sin and Satan for ever. Bless your Church, wounded in its members, and strengthen it by your invincible power and grace.
MIDMORNING [Terce]
Ant. The time of penance has come, the time to atone for our sins and seek our salvation.
READING
Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Lord while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked man his thoughts;
Let him turn to the Lord for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
— Renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Conclusion
MIDDAY [Sext]
Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die, but to turn back to me and live.
READING
Deuteronomy 30:2-3a
Provided that you and your children return to the Lord, your God, and heed his voice with all your heart and all your soul, just as I now command you, the Lord, your God, will change your lot; and take pity on you.
Turn away your face from my sins.
— Blot out all my guilt.
Conclusion
MIDAFTERNOON [None]
Ant. Armed with God’s justice and power, let us prove ourselves through patient endurance.
READING
Hebrews 10:35-36
Do not surrender your confidence; it will have great reward. You need patience to do God’s will and receive what he has promised.
My sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit.
— A humble contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God of love,
bring us back to you.
Send your Spirit to make us strong in faith
and active in good works.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
— Amen.
Or:
O God, who delight in innocence and restore it,
direct the hearts of your servants to yourself,
that, caught up in the fire of your Spirit,
we may be found steadfast in faith
and effective in works.
Through Christ our Lord.
— Amen.
ACCLAMATION
Let us praise the Lord.
— And give him thanks.
******
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COMPLEMENTARY PSALMODY
The complementary psalmody is taken from series I and II
Go to Series III (Midafternoon)
Series I (Midmorning [Terce])
Ant. The time of penance has come, the time to atone for our sins and seek our salvation.
Psalm 120
Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).
To the Lord in the hour of my distress *
I call and he answers me.
“O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, *
from the tongue of the deceitful.”
What shall he pay you in return, *
O treacherous tongue?
The warrior’s arrows sharpened *
and coals, red-hot, blazing.
Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, *
dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Long enough have I been dwelling *
with those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak, *
they are for fighting.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
You declared peacemakers happy, Lord Jesus, since they will be called sons of God. Give us that peace which the world cannot give so that your Church may be freed from the schemes of arrogant men, and, devoted to works of peace, go forward joyfully to meet you, the King of Peace.
Psalm 121
Guardian of his people
Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16).
I lift up my eyes to the mountains: *
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord *
who made heaven and earth.
May he never allow you to stumble! *
Let him sleep not, your guard.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, *
Israel’s guard.
The Lord is your guard and your shade; *
at your right side he stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you *
nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil, *
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming *
both now and for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a quiet place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil until the end.
Psalm 122
The holy city, Jerusalem
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22).
I rejoiced when I heard them say: *
“Let us go to God’s house.”
And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city *
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, *
the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel’s law it is, *
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgement *
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray: *
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, *
in your palaces, peace!”
For love of my brethren and friends *
I say: “Peace upon you!”
For love of the house of the Lord *
I will ask for your good.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
When you rose from the dead, Lord Jesus, you formed the Church into your new body, and made of it the new Jerusalem, united in your Spirit. Give us peace in our day. Make all nations come to your Church to share in your gifts in fellowship, that they may render you thanks without end and come to your eternal city.
Continue with Daytime Prayer
Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die, but to turn back to me and live.
Psalm 123
The Lord is the hope of his people
Two blind men cried out: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us” (Matthew 20:30).
To you have I lifted up my eyes, *
you who dwell in the heavens:
my eyes, like the eyes of slaves *
on the hand of their lords.
Like the eyes of a servant *
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God *
till he show us his mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. *
We are filled with contempt.
Indeed all too full is our soul †
with the scorn of the rich, *
with the proud man’s disdain.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Father in heaven, we lift our eyes to you and pray: confound the scorn of the proud and graciously show us your mercy.
Psalm 124
Our help is in the name of the Lord
The Lord said to Paul: “Fear not. . . . I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10).
“If the Lord had not been on our side,” *
this is Israel’s song.
“If the Lord had not been on our side *
when men rose against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive *
when their anger was kindled.
Then would the waters have engulfed us, *
the torrent gone over us;
over our head would have swept *
the raging waters.”
Blessed be the Lord who did not give us *
a prey to their teeth!
Our life, like a bird, has escaped *
from the snare of the fowler.
Indeed the snare has been broken *
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, *
who made heaven and earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord Jesus, you foretold that your disciples would be despised on account of your name, but that not a hair of their heads is ever forgotten. In times of persecution, defend and revive us by the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit, so that we can be freed from our enemies and praise your saving help.
Psalm 125
The Lord, the guardian of his people
Peace to God’s true Israel (Galatians 6:16).
Those who put their trust in the Lord †
are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken, *
that stands for ever.
Jerusalem! The mountains surround her, †
so the Lord surrounds his people *
both now and for ever.
For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest *
over the land of the just
for fear that the hands of the just *
should turn to evil.
Do good, Lord, to those who are good, *
to the upright of heart;
but the crooked and those who do evil, *
drive them away!
On Israel, peace!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Surround your people, Lord, within the safety of your Church, which you preserve on its rock foundation. Do not let us stretch out our hands to evil deeds, nor be destroyed by the insidious snares of the enemy, but bring us to share the lot of the saints in light.
Continue with Daytime Prayer
Series III (Midafternoon [None])
Ant. Armed with God’s justice and power, let us prove ourselves through patient endurance.
Psalm 126
Joyful hope in God
Companions with him in suffering, you will share his overflowing happiness (2 Corinthians 1:7).
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, *
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: “What marvels *
the Lord worked for them!”
What marvels the Lord worked for us! *
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage *
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears *
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears, *
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song, *
carrying their sheaves.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord, you have raised us from the earth; may you let the seeds of justice, which we have sown in tears, grow and increase in your sight. May we reap in joy the harvest we hope for patiently.
Psalm 127
Apart from God our labors are worthless
You are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9).
If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat: *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
You command the seed to rise, Lord God, though the farmer is unaware. Grant that those who labor for you may trust not in their own work but in your help. Remembering that the land is brought to flower not with human tears but with those of your Son, may the Church rely only upon your gifts.
Psalm 128
Happiness of family life rooted in God
“May the Lord bless you from Zion,” that is, from the Church (Arnobius).
O blessed are those who fear the Lord *
and walk in his ways!
By the labor of your hands you shall eat. *
You will be happy and prosper;
your wife like a fruitful vine *
in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive, *
around your table.
Indeed thus shall be blessed *
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion *
all the days of your life!
May you see your children’s children *
in a happy Jerusalem!
On Israel, peace!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Give lasting happiness, Lord, to those who reverence your name, so that our life and work may be such as to deserve your commendation, and bring us, laden with good fruit, to our everlasting home.
Continue with Daytime Prayer