Pause to be still. Take a few deep breaths. Focus on the presence of God. Consider using a Breath Prayer to become centered in Jesus. Play some devotional music. Remember that as God has raised you from sleep, he has raised Christ from the dead, and will give life to your mortal body at the resurrection on the last day.
OPENING SENTENCE(S)
Say one or more of these verses.
- From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:11
- Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Revelation 4:8
- The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22–23
- O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. Psalm 5:3
- Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14
- Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8
- This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
- Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 51:17
THE INVITATORY
O Lord, open our lips;
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Ps. 51:15
O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us. Ps. 70:1
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised. Ps. 113:2
HYMN OR CANTICLE
Choose one or more to say or sing.
- Venite: O Come (Psalm 95)
- Jubilate: Be Joyful (Psalm 100)
- Benedictus: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
- Te Deum Laudamus: We Praise You, God
- Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
- Great is Thy Faithfulness
- Morning Trinitarian Prayer
- The Lorica of Saint Patrick
- Pascha Nostrum: Our Passover
- A seasonal hymn
PSALM
Read or sing an appointed Psalm or one of the Morning Psalms: Psalm 3, 20, 5, 63, 90, 143. After the Psalm, say the Gloria Patri.
SCRIPTURE LESSON(S)
Read a portion of the Old Testament and/or New Testament. Before the lesson(s), a seasonal Collect or Prayer for Illumination may be said.
APOSTLES’ CREED
On holy days, say the Athanasian Creed.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried: He descended to the dead: On the third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father: From there he will come 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.
ADDITIONAL EXERCISES
Say the same catechism question every day until it is memorized. Observe holy days with devotional resources. Then say,
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
FURTHER PRAYERS
Add your own prayers. You may use the ACTS Method or Lectio Divina to guide your prayers. You may also say one of the Prayers of Supplication or Praise and Thanksgiving.
COLLECT
Say the Collect for Peace or the Collect for Grace.
O God, you are the author of peace and the lover of concord. To know you is eternal life, and to serve you is perfect freedom. Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Defend us by your mighty power, and grant that this day we do not fall into any sin or run into any kind of danger; but that all our actions may be ordered by your governance, to always do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUSION
In corporate prayer, say the prayer of John Chrysostom and a benediction.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord, to make our common supplications unto you; and you have promised that when two or three are gathered together in your name, you will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be best for us, granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.