Thursday, April 16

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

The Call to Prayer

The LORD is near to those who call upon him,* to all who call upon him faithfully. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;* he hears their cry and helps them. The LORD preserves all those who love him,* but he destroys all the wicked.

Psalm 145:19–21

The Request for Presence

Not to us, O LORD, not to us,* but to your Name give glory; because of your love and because of your faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

The Greeting

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,* and your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 36:5

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

I will exalt you, O God my King,* and bless your Name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:1

A Reading

Now it happened in those days that he went onto the mountain to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’: Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.

Luke 6:12–16

The Refrain

I will exalt you, O God my King,* and bless your Name for ever and ever.

The Morning Psalm

The LORD Will Make Good His Purposes

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart;* before the gods I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name,* because of your love and faithfulness; For you have glorified your Name* and your word above all things. When I called, you answered me;* you increased my strength within me. All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD,* when they have heard the words of your mouth. They will sing of the ways of the LORD,* that great is the glory of the LORD. Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly;* he perceives the haughty from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;* you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand shall save me. The LORD will make good his purpose for me;* O LORD, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138

The Refrain

I will exalt you, O God my King,* and bless your Name for ever and ever.

The Cry of the Church

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

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Almighty God, you have surrounded me with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that I too may persevere in running the race that is set before me, until at last I may with him attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 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. †