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

Litany of Penitence

Most holy and merciful Father: I confess to you and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth. I have not loved you with my whole heart, and mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I have not forgiven others, as I have been forgiven. Have mercy on me, Lord. I have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. I have not been true to the mind of Christ. I have grieved your Holy Spirit. Have mercy on me, Lord. I confess to you, Lord, all my past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of my life, I confess to you, Lord. My self-indulgent appetites and ways, and my exploitation of other people, I confess to you, Lord. My anger at my own frustration, and my envy of those more fortunate than I, I confess to you, Lord. My intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and my dishonesty in daily life and work, I confess to you, Lord. My negligence in prayer and worship, and my failure to commend the faith that is in me, I confess to you, Lord. Accept my repentance, Lord, for the wrongs I have done: for my blindness to human need and suffering, and my indifference to injustice and cruelty, Accept my repentance, Lord. For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward my neighbors, and for my prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from me, Accept my repentance, Lord. For my waste and pollution of your creation, and my lack of concern for those who come after us, Accept my repentance, Lord. Restore me, good Lord, and let your anger depart from me, Favorably hear me for your mercy is great. Accomplish in me and all of your church the work of your salvation, That I may show forth your glory in the world. By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord, Bring me with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.&#8224

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

Have Pity on Me, LORD, For I Am Weak

LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger;* do not punish me in your wrath. Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak;* heal me, LORD, for my bones are racked. My spirit shakes with terror;* how long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me;* save me for your mercy's sake. For in death no one remembers you;* and who will give you thanks in the grave? I grow weary because of my groaning;* every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears. My eyes are wasted with grief* and worn away because of all my enemies. Depart from me, all evildoers,* for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication;* the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalm 6:1-9

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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