Thursday, September 18

The Morning Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Let us make a vow to the LORD our God and keep it;* let all around him bring gifts to him who is worthy to be feared.

Psalm 76:11

The Request for Presence

Let my cry come before you, O LORD;* give me understanding, according to your word. Let my supplication come before you;* deliver me, according to your promise.

Psalm 119:169–70

The Greeting

I will offer you a freewill sacrifice* and praise your Name, O LORD, for it is good.

Psalm 54:6

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

How sweet are your words to my taste!* they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Psalm 119:103

A Reading

Jesus taught us, saying: ‘In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land—and persecutions too—now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life. Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.’

Mark 10:29–31

The Refrain

How sweet are your words to my taste!* they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

The Morning Psalm

I Shall Not Die, But Live

The LORD is my strength and my song,* and he has become my salvation. There is a sound of exultation and victory* in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD has triumphed!* the right hand of the LORD is exalted! the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!” I shall not die, but live,* and declare the works of the LORD.

Psalm 118:14–17

The Refrain

How sweet are your words to my taste!* they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

The Cry of the Church

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.†