Opening Sentence
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Morning Prayer
O God:
Give me strength to live another day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
The Old Testament Lesson
The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Daniel 2:17-30
Then Daniel went to his home and informed his companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions with the rest of the wise men of Babylon might not perish. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel said: "Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him. To you, O God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and power, and have now revealed to me what we asked of you, for you have revealed to us what the king ordered." Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will give the king the interpretation." Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said to him: "I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who can tell the king the interpretation." The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to tell me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?" Daniel answered the king, "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or diviners can show to the king the mystery that the king is asking, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has disclosed to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen at the end of days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed were these: To you, O king, as you lay in bed, came thoughts of what would be hereafter, and the revealer of mysteries disclosed to you what is to be. But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me because of any wisdom that I have more than any other living being, but in order that the interpretation may be known to the king and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.
The Epistle Lesson
The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 1 John 2:12-17
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world-- the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches-- comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.
The Holy Gospel Lesson
The Holy Gospel is written in John 17:20-26
"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. "Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Morning Psalms
Psalm 119: Aleph Beati immaculati
1 Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!
2 Happy are they who observe his decrees and seek him with all their hearts!
3 Who never do any wrong, but always walk in his ways.
4 You laid down your commandments, that we should fully keep them.
5 Oh, that my ways were made so direct that I might keep your statutes!
6 Then I should not be put to shame, when I regard all your commandments.
7 I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, when I have learned your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
Psalm 119: Beth In quo corrigit?
9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? By keeping to your words.
10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your promise in my heart, that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O LORD; instruct me in your statutes.
13 With my lips will I recite all the judgments of your mouth.
14 I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees than in all manner of riches.
15 I will meditate on your commandments and give attention to your ways.
16 My delight is in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalm 119: Gimel Retribue servo tuo
17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see the wonders of your law.
19 I am a stranger here on earth; do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed at all times with longing for your judgments.
21 You have rebuked the insolent; cursed are they who stray from your commandments!
22 Turn from me shame and rebuke, for I have kept your decrees.
23 Even though rulers sit and plot against me, I will meditate on your statutes.
24 For your decrees are my delight, and they are my counselors.
Evening Psalms
Psalm 12 Salvum me fac
1 Help me, LORD, for there is no godly one left; the faithful have vanished from among us.
2 Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor; with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
3 Oh, that the LORD would cut off all smooth tongues, and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
4 Those who say, "With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5 Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery, I will rise up, says the LORD, and give them the help they long for.
6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined from ore and purified seven times in the fire.
7 O LORD, watch over us and save us from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked prowl on every side, and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.
Psalm 13 Usquequo, Domine?
1 How long, O LORD? will you forget me for ever? how long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long shall I have perplexity in my mind, and grief in my heart, day after day? how long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him, " and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5 But I put my trust in your mercy; my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt with me richly; I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 14 Dixit insipiens
1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God." All are corrupt and commit abominable acts; there is none who does any good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon us all, to see if there is any who is wise, if there is one who seeks after God.
3 Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; there is none who does good; no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers who eat up my people like bread and do not call upon the LORD?
5 See how they tremble with fear, because God is in the company of the righteous.
6 Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of Zion! when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will 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
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
A Prayer for Grace
O Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A Prayer for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia!
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.
