THE DIVINE HOURS

A form of prayer at specified times to be used by individuals or groups. The Divine Hours includes morning, midday, vespers (evening) and compline (before retiring) offices, having roots in the biblical tradition. By default the Divine Hours below is displayed based on Eastern Standard Time, U.S.

You may find it helpful to read the introduction by the author, Phyllis Tickle.

The Vespers Office

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m

The Call to Prayer

Come let us bow down, and bend the knee* and kneel before the LORD our Maker. For he is our God* and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 95:6-7

The Request for Presence

I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me;* incline your ear to me, and hear my words.

Psalm 17:6

The Greeting

You are God: I praise you;* you are the Lord: I acclaim you; You are the eternal Father:* all creation worships you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:* Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son,* worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit,* advocate and guide. As these have been from the beginning,* so they are now and evermore shall be. Alleluia.

based on the Te Deum and Gloria

The Hymn

All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night

All Praise to Thee, my God, this night, For all the blessings of the light! Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, Beneath Thine own almighty wings. Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son, The ill that I this day have done, That with the world, myself, and Thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. O may my soul on Thee repose, And with sweet sleep my eyelids close, Sleep that may me more vigorous make To serve my God when I awake. When in the night I sleepless lie, My soul with heavenly thoughts supply; Let no ill dreams disturb my rest, No powers of darkness me molest. O when shall I, in endless day, For ever chase dark sleep away, And hymns divine with angels sing, All praise to thee, eternal king? Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Thomas Ken

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

O, LORD, you are my portion and my cup;* it is you who uphold my lot.

Psalm 16:5

The Vespers Psalm

An Evening Song

I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel;* my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the LORD always before me;* because he is at my right hand I shall not fall. My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;* my body also shall rest in hope. For you will not abandon me to the grave,* nor let your holy one see the Pit. You will show me the path of life;* in your presence is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 16:7-11

The Refrain

O, LORD, you are my portion and my cup;* it is you who uphold my lot.

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 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.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

Holy Father, creator and sustaining wisdom of all that is, both in heaven and on earth, take from me those thoughts, actions and objects that are hurtful. Give me instead those things that are profitable for me and all who seek rightly to praise you. I ask this grace in the company of all believers and through the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is, with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord Jesus, stay with me, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be my companion in the way, kindle my heart, and awaken hope, that I may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and in the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love toward me. 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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