THE DIVINE HOURS

The Call to Prayer

May the Lord Almighty grant me and those I love a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.&#8224

The Request for Presence

Our help is in the Name of the Lord; the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

The Greeting

Almighty God, my heavenly Father: I have sinned against you, through my own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, in what I have done and what I have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me all my offenses; and grant that I may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.&#8224

The Reading

Beginners must realize that in order to give delight to the Lord they are starting to cultivate a garden on very barren soil, full of abominable weeds. His majesty pulls up the weeds and plants good seed. Now let us keep in mind that all of this is already done by the time a soul is determined to practice prayer and has begun to make use of it. And with the help of God we must strive like good gardeners to get these plants to grow and take pains to water them so that they don't wither but come to provide refreshment for this Lord of ours.

St. Teresa of Avila

The Gloria

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Psalm

I Call Upon the Name of the LORD

I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication,* because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me;* I came to grief and sorrow. Then I called upon the Name of the LORD:* "O LORD, I pray you, save my life." Gracious is the LORD and righteous;* our God is full of compassion. The LORD watches over the innocent;* I was brought very low, and he helped me. Turn again to your rest, O my soul,* for the LORD has treated you well. For you have rescued my life from death,* my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. I will walk in the presence of the LORD* in the land of the living. I believed, even when I said, "I have been brought very low."* In my distress I said, "No one can be trusted." How shall I repay the LORD* for all the good things he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation* and call upon the Name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD* in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 116:1-2

The Gloria

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Small Verse

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of your eye; Hide me under the shadow of your wings. &#8224

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 Petition

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. &#8224

The Final Thanksgiving

Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: a Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. 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.

The Divine Hours are reprinted here with permission of Doubleday and Phyllis Tickle. Not for distribution without permission from the author.
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