THE DIVINE HOURS

The Call to Prayer

Open my lips, O LORD,* and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Psalm 51:16

The Request for Presence

You are my helper and my deliverer,* do not tarry, O my God.

Psalm 40:19

The Greeting

Hosanna, LORD, hosanna!* LORD, send us now success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;* we bless you from the house of the LORD.

Psalm 118:25-26

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

. . . You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me by your counsel,* and afterwards receive me with glory.

Psalm 73:23-24

A Reading

The Lord hates all that is foul, and no one who fears him will love it either. He himself made human beings in the beginning, and then left them free to make their own decisions. He has set fire and water before you; put your hand to whichever you prefer. Ahuman being has life and death before him; whichever he prefers will be given him.

Ecclesiasticus 15:13-14, 16-18

The Refrain

. . . You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me by your counsel,* and afterwards receive me with glory.

The Midday Psalm

How Sweet Are Your Words to My Taste

Oh, how I love your law!* all the day long it is in my mind. Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies,* and it is always with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers,* for your decrees are my study. I am wiser than the elders,* because I observe your commandments. I restrain my feet from every evil way,* that I may keep your word. I do not shrink from your judgments,* because you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste!* they are sweeter than honey to my mouth. Through your commandments I gain understanding;* therefore I hate every lying way.

Psalm 119:97-104

The Refrain

. . . You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me by your counsel,* and afterwards receive me with glory.

The Small Verse

My help is in the Name of the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. What then shall I fear, of what shall I be afraid?

Traditional

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

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Direct me, O Lord, in all my doings with your most gracious favor, and further me with your continual help; that in all my work begun, continued, and ended in you, I may glorify your holy name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ my Lord. 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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