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Daily Prayer

Collects & Readings

Ash Wednesday

5th February 1473

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Principal Service

Collect One

O God,
who knowest us to be set
in the midst of so many and great dangers,
that by reason of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright;
Grant to us such strength and protection,
as may support us in all dangers,
and carry us through all temptations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Collect Two

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The First Reading

The Psalm

The Second Reading

The Gospel Reading

View readings View readings

Post Communion Prayer

Almighty God,
you have given your only Son to be for us
both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life:
Give us grace
that we may always most thankfully receive
these his inestimable gifts,
and also daily endeavour ourselves
to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Suggested Hymns

1st Reading Joel 2: 1–2, 12–17
210 Holy God of righteous glory
538 O Lord, the clouds are gathering

Alternative Isaiah 58: 1–12 [5LA]
1st Reading 647* Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
125* Hail to the Lord’s anointed
535* Judge eternal, throned in splendour
592* O Love that wilt not le me go
712* Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
497 The Church of Christ in every age
510 We pray for peace

Psalm Psalm 51: 1–18
630* Blessed are the pure in heart
297* Come, thou Holy Spirit, come
614* Great shepherd of your people, hear
208 Hearken, O Lord, have mercy upon us
553* Jesu, lover of my soul
305 O Breath of life, come sweeping through us
638* O for a heart to praise my God
557* Rock of ages, cleft for me

2nd Reading 2 Corinthians 5: 20b–6: 10
643* Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
566* Fight the good fight with all thy might
352* Give thanks with a grateful heart
417 He gave his life in selfless love
322 I bind unto myself today (* vv, 1, 2, 8 & 9)
587* Just as I am, without one plea
652* Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
487* Soldiers of Christ, arise
488* Stand up, stand up for Jesus

The Gospel Matthew 6: 1–6, 16–21
207* Forty days and forty nights
646* Glorious things of thee are spoken
619* Lord, teach us how to pray aright
363* O Lord of heaven and earth and sea
625 Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire

Second Service

Collect One

O God,
who knowest us to be set
in the midst of so many and great dangers,
that by reason of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright;
Grant to us such strength and protection,
as may support us in all dangers,
and carry us through all temptations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Collect Two

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The First Reading

The Psalm

The Gospel Reading

View readings View readings

Post Communion Prayer

Almighty God,
you have given your only Son to be for us
both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life:
Give us grace
that we may always most thankfully receive
these his inestimable gifts,
and also daily endeavour ourselves
to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Daily Prayer (Morning)

Preparation

A Sentence of Scripture

From the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the Lord. Malachi 1: 11

God who said, ‘out of darkness light shall shine’, has caused his light to shine in our hearts, the light which is knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4: 6 (REB)

The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. Titus 2: 11

Versicles and Responses

O Lord, open our lips

All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.

O God, make speed to save us.

All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Praise the Lord.

All The Lord’s name be praised.

The Word of God

A Psalm

Psalm 62

1On God alone my soul in | stillness | waits;
from | him comes | my sal | vation.

2He alone is my rock and | my sal | vation,
my stronghold, so that | I shall | never be | shaken.

3How long will all of you assail me | to des | troy me,
as you would a tottering wall | or a | leaning | fence?

4They plot only to thrust me down from my place of honour; lies are their | chief de | light;
they bless with their mouth, but | in their | heart they | curse.

5Wait on God alone in stillness, | O my | soul;
for in | him | is my | hope.

6He alone is my rock and | my sal | vation,
my stronghold, so that | I shall | not be | shaken.

7In God is my strength | and my | glory;
God is my strong rock; in | him | is my | refuge.

8Put your trust in him | always, my | people;
pour out your hearts before him, for | God | is our | refuge.

9The peoples are but a breath, the whole human | racea de | ceit;
on the scales they are alto | gether | lighter than | air.

10Put no trust in oppression; in robbery take no | empty | pride;
though wealth increase, | set not your | heart up | on it.

11God spoke once, and twice have I | heard the | same,
that | power be | longs to | God.

12Steadfast love belongs to | you, O | Lord,
for you repay everyone ac | cording | to their | deeds.


Psalm 63

1O God, you are my God; | eagerly I | seek you;
my | soulis a | thirst for | you.

2My flesh | also | faints for you,
as in a dry and thirsty | landwhere there | is no | water.

3So would I gaze upon you in your | holy | place,
that I might behold your | power | and your | glory.

4Your loving-kindness is better than | life it | self
and | so my | lips shall | praise you.

5I will bless you as | long as I | live
and lift up my | hands | in your | name.

6My soul shall be satisfied, as with | marrow and | fatness,
and my mouth shall | praise you with | joyful | lips,

7When I remember you up | on my | bed
and meditate on you in the | watches | of the | night.

8For you have | been my | helper
and under the shadow of your | wings will | I re | joice.

9My | soul | clings to you;
your | right hand shall | hold me | fast.

10But those who seek my soul | to des | troy it
shall go | downto the | depths of the | earth;

11Let them fall by the | edge of the | sword
and be | come a | portion for | jackals.

12But the king shall rejoice in God; all those who swear by him | shall be | glad,
for the mouth of those who speak | lies | shall be | stopped.

A Canticle

Which may be said here or between the readings

The Song of Isaiah

1 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid.

2 for the Lord God is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.

3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day:
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;

4 Make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.

5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.

6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen

One or two readings

The Gospel Canticle

Benedictus

1 Blessèd be the Lord the God of Israel,
who has come to his people and set them free.

2 The Lord has raised up for us a mighty saviour,
born of the house of his servant David.

3 Through the holy prophets God promised of old
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of those who hate us,

4 to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember his holy covenant.

5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies.

6 Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous before him all the days of our life.

7 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8 To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9 In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us.

10 To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen

The Apostles’ Creed

Prayer

Kneel

Let us pray

Lord, have mercy

All Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings

The Cross of Christ: Reconciliation and Human Relationships

Loving Father,
you have reconciled us to yourself in Christ;
by your Spirit you enable us to live as your sons and daughters.

Intercession

We pray for [Personal Relationships]
the home, and family life ...
children deprived of home ...
friends, relations and neighbours ...
relationships in daily life and work ...
those who are estranged ...
those who feel unloved ...
all ministries of care ...

Thanksgiving

Loving Father, we give you thanks
for the obedience of Christ fulfilled in the cross,
his bearing of the sin of the world,
his mercy for the world, which never fails ...
for the joy of loving and being loved,
for friendship,
the lives to which our own are bound,
the gift of peace with you and with one another ...
for the communities in whose life we share
and all relationships in which reconciliation may be known ...

Concluding Prayer

Help us to share in Christ’s ministry
of love and service to one another;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the unity of the Holy Spirit
is one with you for ever. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Alternative collects

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

Going out as God’s people

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

Let us bless the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

All Amen

To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God

be honour and glory for ever and ever.

All Amen

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope.

All Amen

Daily Prayer (Evening)

Preparation

Penitence

All say

Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.

The priest pronounces the absolution.

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

If no priest is present the absolution is omitted and the following prayer may be said:

Merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Versicles and Responses

O Lord, open our lips

All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.

O God, make speed to save us.

All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Praise the Lord.

All The Lord’s name be praised.

A Psalm

Psalm 64

1Hear my voice, O God, in | my com | plaint;
preserve my | life from | fear of the | enemy.

2Hide me from the conspiracy | of the | wicked,
from the | gathering of | evil | doers.

3They sharpen their | tonguelike a | sword
and aim their | bitter | words like | arrows,

4That they may shoot at the | blameless from | hiding places;
suddenly they | shoot, and | are not | seen.

5They hold fast to their | evil | course;
they talk of laying snares, | saying, | ‘Who will | see us?’

6They search out wickedness and lay a | cunning | trap,
for deep are the | inward | thoughts of the | heart.

7But God will shoot at them with his | swift | arrow,
and | suddenly | they shall be | wounded.

8Their own tongues shall | make them | fall,
and all who see them shall | wag their | heads in | scorn.

9All peoples shall fear and tell what | God has | done,
and they will | ponder | all his | works.

10The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord and put their | trust in | him,
and all that are true of | heart | shall ex | ult.


Psalm 65

1Praise is due to you, O | God, in | Zion;
to you that answer | prayer shall | vows be | paid.

2To you shall all flesh come to con | fess their | sins;
when our misdeeds prevail against us, | you will | purge them a | way.

3Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your | courts to | dwell there.
We shall be satisfied with the blessings of your house, | evenof your | holy | temple.

4With wonders you will answer us in your righteousness, O God of | our sal | vation,
O hope of all the ends of the earth and | of the | farthest | seas.

5In your strength you set | fast the | mountains
and are | girded a | bout with | might.

6You still the | ragingof the | seas,
the roaring of their waves and the | clamour | of the | peoples.

7Those who dwell at the ends of the earth tremble | at your | marvels;
the gates of the morning and | evening | sing your | praise.

8You visit the | earth and | water it;
you | make it | very | plenteous.

9The river of God is | full of | water;
you prepare grain for your people, for | so you pro | videfor the | earth.

10You drench the furrows and | smooth out the | ridges;
you soften the ground with | showers and | bless its | increase.

11You crown the | year with your | goodness,
and your | pathsover | flow with | plenty.

12May the pastures of the wilderness | flow with | goodness
and the | hills be | girded with | joy.

13May the meadows be clothed with | flocks of | sheep
and the valleys stand so thick with corn that | they shall | laugh and | sing.

A Canticle

Which may be said here or between the readings

Nunc Dimittis

1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.

2 My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

3 A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory

One or two readings

The Gospel Canticle

Nunc Dimittis may be used as the Gospel Canticle and Magnificat in the earlier place.

Magnificat

1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

2 who has looked with favour on his lowly servant;
from this day all generations will call me blessèd;

3 the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.

4 God has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.

5 The Lord has shown strength with his arm
and scattered the proud in their conceit,

6 casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.

7 God has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.

8 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel
to remember the promise of mercy,

9 The promise made to our forebears,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory

Kneel

Let us pray

Lord, have mercy

All Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings

The Cross of Christ: Reconciliation and Human Relationships

Loving Father,
you have reconciled us to yourself in Christ;
by your Spirit you enable us to live as your sons and daughters.

Intercession

We pray for [Personal Relationships]
the home, and family life ...
children deprived of home ...
friends, relations and neighbours ...
relationships in daily life and work ...
those who are estranged ...
those who feel unloved ...
all ministries of care ...

Thanksgiving

Loving Father, we give you thanks
for the obedience of Christ fulfilled in the cross,
his bearing of the sin of the world,
his mercy for the world, which never fails ...
for the joy of loving and being loved,
for friendship,
the lives to which our own are bound,
the gift of peace with you and with one another ...
for the communities in whose life we share
and all relationships in which reconciliation may be known ...

Concluding Prayer

Help us to share in Christ’s ministry
of love and service to one another;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the unity of the Holy Spirit
is one with you for ever. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

may be said or one of the following alternative collects

Creator God,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
We pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Alternative collects

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

The Ending

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

Let us bless the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

All Amen

To God, who by the power at work within us,

is able to do far more abundantly

than all we ask or think,

to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus

to all generations for ever and ever.

All Amen

To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God

be honour and glory for ever and ever.

All Amen

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope.

All Amen

Holy Communion

Preparation for Communion

Jesus says: Come to me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. (Matthew 11: 28)

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3: 16)

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall never be hungry and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty. (John 6: 35)

Thanksgiving

Thank God for all the many blessings you have received, and for all that is at present being done for you; for all doctors and nurses; (for this hospital and all who work here).

Repentance

Ask God’s forgiveness for the ways in which you have failed him and others.

Intercession and petition

Pray for all those you love: (for the other patients in your ward;) (for all who will be receiving communion with you;) for all who look after you; for all in need; for yourself, that you may come closer to God and his healing power.

All Lord Jesus Christ, you came to the poor and powerless and gave them hope. Come to me in this wonderful sacrament and raise me up in love to you, for I am helpless without you.

Be calm in the knowledge that you are under the protection of Almighty God.

The following prayer may be used in place of the Collect for Purity:

God of peace, you teach us that in returning to you we shall be saved:
By the power of your Spirit lift us to your presence,
where quietness and confidence shall be our strength;
and where we may be still and know that you are God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Collect of the Day

Creator God,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
We pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Ministry of the Word

One or two readings

a gospel reading should normally be included.

The priest says

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 8)

Let us confess our sins.

A short pause for self-examination.

All Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought and word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may walk in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.

The priest says

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer

Those present may mention personal needs and thanksgivings. The laying on of hands and/or anointing with oil may take place here or after receiving Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving

The priest takes the bread and wine.

The Lord is here.

All His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

All We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks, our God and Father, for you have created us and you sustain us. Through your only Son Jesus Christ you have revealed your love and your care for all your people; you are ready to forgive and to save in time of need; so we proclaim your glory, saying

All Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night that he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks to you, he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup we do as Christ your Son commanded:

All we remember his passion and death, we celebrate his resurrection and ascension, and we look for the coming of his kingdom.

Accept through him our great high priest this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and, as we eat and drink these holy gifts, grant by the power of the life-giving Spirit, that we may be made one in your holy Church and partakers of the body and blood of your Son, that he may dwell in us and we in him:

Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

All all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

The priest breaks the bread, saying

The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.

All We, being many, are one body for we all share in the one bread.

Communion

After all have received, silence is kept for a space and the priest says

Let us pray.

All Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Strengthen us by the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your heart and mind
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.

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