The Daily Office
Morning Prayer
Matins
Ad Matutinum
The Opening
The Officiant may begin Morning Prayer by reading an opening sentence of Scripture. One of the following, or a sentence from among those provided at the end of the Office, is customary.
The Officiant then says to the People
Dearly beloved, the Scriptures teach us to acknowledge our many sins and offenses, not concealing them from our heavenly Father, but confessing them with humble and obedient hearts that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy. We ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before Almighty God, but especially when we come together in his presence to give thanks for the great benefits we have received at his hands, to declare his most worthy praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things which are necessary for our life and our salvation. Therefore, draw near with me to the throne of heavenly grace.
Officiant and People together, all kneeling
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit.
A Deacon or layperson remains kneeling and prays
Grant your faithful people, merciful Lord, 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.
The Invitatory
All stand
℣O Lord, open our lips;
℟And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Then follows the Venite. Alternatively, the Jubilate may be used. These antiphons may be sung or said before and after the Invitatory Psalm.
Venite
Psalm 95:1-7; 8-11
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Psalms Appointed
Psalm 95, 96
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Lessons
One or more Lessons, as appointed, are read, the Reader first saying
A Reading from Isaiah 42:1-9
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Te Deum Laudamus
We Praise You, O God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
A Reading from Hebrews 1:1-14
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Benedictus
The Song of Zechariah — Luke 1:68-79
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
✠ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Apostles' Creed
Officiant and People together, all standing
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers
The People kneel or stand.
℣The Lord be with you.
℟And with your spirit.
℣Let us pray.
℟
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Suffrages
℣O Lord, show your mercy upon us;
℟And grant us your salvation.
℣O Lord, guide those who govern us;
℟And lead us in the way of justice and truth.
℣Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
℟And let your people sing with joy.
℣O Lord, save your people;
℟And bless your inheritance.
℣Give peace in our time, O Lord;
℟And defend us by your mighty power.
℣Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
℟Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
℣Create in us clean hearts, O God;
℟And take not your Holy Spirit from us.
The Collects
The Collect of the Day
A Collect for Strength to Await Christ's Return
O God, our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Unless The Great Litany or the Eucharist is to follow, one of the following prayers for mission is added.
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, who alone works great marvels: Send down upon our clergy and the congregations committed to their charge the life-giving Spirit of your grace, shower them with the continual dew of your blessing, and ignite in them a zealous love of your Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Officiant may invite the People to offer intercessions and thanksgivings.
A hymn or anthem may be sung.
Before the close of the Office one or both of the following prayers may be said.
The General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
The Dismissal
The Officiant may say one of these concluding sentences.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
— 2 Corinthians 13:14"Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws."
— Psalm 119:164
Texts from the Book of Common Prayer (2019)
Anglican Church in North America