Daytime Prayers
INTRODUCTION
God, + come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.
HYMN
At Midmorning [Terce]
Behold, the third hour rises now,
when Christ ascends the saving Cross;
our minds should think no thoughts of pride,
intent on fervor in our prayer.
The heart that truly welcomes Christ
brings forth a conscience free from sin;
by faithful prayer it seeks to gain,
the Holy Spirit, Paraclete.
This is the hour that brought an end
to dire, deep-rooted, ancient sin,
and from this hour, by grace of Christ,
the time of blessing has begun.
To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
who shine in vict’ry over death,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.
Tune: MELCOMBE, 8 8 8 8
Music: Samel Webbe the elder, 1740-1816
or Mode I, melody 2; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Iam surgit hora tertia, Saint Ambrose, 340-397, © 2023 ICEL
At Midday [Sext]
Come, servants, join in humble prayer
with psalms and hymns of worthy praise;
let mind and heart and lips extol
the blest and holy name of God.
For this is that dread time and hour,
in which the Judge of ages stood
condemned to death by false decree,
unjustly judged by mortal foes.
And we with all the love we owe,
compelled by just and humble fear,
seek help against our wicked foe
and all his sly and fierce assaults.
Let us implore the one true God,
the Father and the Son, our King,
the Holy Spirit, Paraclete,
in Trinity, our God and Lord. Amen.
Tune: DEUS TUORUM MILITUM, 8 8 8 8
Music: from the Grenoble Antiphoner, 1753
or Mode I, melody 2; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Venite, servi, supplices, 5-6th c., © 2023 ICEL
At Midafternoon [None]
This is the hour that brightly shone
and rent the clouds that veiled the Cross,
divesting earth of dark and gloom,
restoring pure, unclouded light.
This is the hour when Jesus raised
the holy bodies from their tombs;
at his command they issue forth,
with breath of life, now freed from death.
Believing in a world renewed
where laws of death have been dissolved,
we know that gifts of blessed life
shall run an everlasting course.
To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
who shine in vict’ry over death,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.
Tune: MELCOMBE, 8 8 8 8
Music: Samel Webbe the elder, 1740-1816
or Mode I, melody 2; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Hæc hora, quæ resplenduit, 5̀-6th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Complementary Psalmody
Psalm 119:161-168
XXI (Shin)
A meditation on God’s law
I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34).
Though princes oppress me without cause *
I stand in awe of your word.
I take delight in your promise *
like one who finds a treasure.
Lies I hate and detest *
but your law is my love.
Seven times a day I praise you *
for your just decrees.
The lovers of your law have great peace; *
they never stumble.
I await your saving help, O Lord, *
I fulfill your commands.
My soul obeys your will *
and loves it dearly.
I obey your precepts and your will; *
all that I do is before you.
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.
Psalm Prayer
There is great peace, Lord, for those who love your law; they never stumble. Grant that those who love you above all else may be undisturbed by thoughts of evil.
Psalm 133
Joy when hearts are united in love
Let us love one another, for love is of God (1 John 4:7).
How good and how pleasant it is, *
when brothers live in unity!
It is like precious oil upon the head *
running down upon the beard,
running down upon Aaron’s beard, *
upon the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon which falls *
on the heights of Zion.
For there the Lord gives his blessing, *
life for ever.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Pour out over your Church, Lord, the spirit of brotherly love and a longing for your peace. May this precious oil of the Holy Spirit flow over us to fill us with your gracious benediction.
Psalm 140:1-9, 13-14
Lord, you are my refuge
The Son of Man will be handed over to wicked men (Matthew 26:45).
Rescue me, Lord, from evil men; *
from the violent keep me safe,
from those who plan evil in their hearts *
and stir up strife every day;
who sharpen their tongue like an adder’s, *
with the poison of viper on their lips.
Lord, guard me from the hands of the wicked; *
from the violent keep me safe;
they plan to make me stumble. *
The proud have hidden a trap,
have spread out lines in a net, *
set snares across my path.
I have said to the Lord: “You are my God.” *
Lord, hear the cry of my appeal!
Lord my God, my mighty help, *
you shield my head in the battle.
Do not grant the wicked their desire *
nor let their plots succeed.
I know that the Lord will avenge the poor, *
that he will do justice for the needy.
Yes, the just will praise your name: *
the upright shall live in your presence.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Lord, you keep constant guard over your faithful people. Protect us from hidden snares and make us holy, that we may praise and bless your name and live in righteousness before you.
Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
MIDMORNING [Terce]
READING
Acts 2:32, 36
God has raised up Jesus, and we are his witnesses. Therefore let the whole house of Israel know beyond any doubt that God has made both Lord and Messiah this Jesus whom you crucified.
The Lord is risen, alleluia.
— He has appeared to Simon, alleluia.
Conclusion
MIDDAY [Sext]
READING
Galatians 3:27-28
All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with him. There does not exist among you Jew or Greek, slave or freeman, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus.
The disciples rejoiced, alleluia.
— When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia.
Conclusion
MIDAFTERNOON [None]
READING
1 Corinthians 5:7, 8
Get rid of the old yeast to make of yourselves fresh dough, unleavened loaves, as it were; Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. Let us celebrate the feast not with the old yeast, that of corruption and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Stay with us, Lord, alleluia.
— For evening draws near, alleluia.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Father of our freedom and salvation,
hear the prayers of those redeemed by your Son’s suffering.
Through you may we have life;
with you may we have eternal joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
— Amen.
Or:
O God, author of our freedom and of our salvation,
listen to the voice of our pleading
and grant that those you have redeemed
by the shedding of your Son’s Blood
may have life through you
and, under your protection,
rejoice for ever unharmed.
Through Christ our Lord.
— Amen.
ACCLAMATION
Let us praise the Lord.
— And give him thanks.
******
DONATE to support the continued development of the iBreviary
SUBSCRIBE iBreviary newsletter
Go to Series III (Midafternoon)
Series I (Midmorning) [Terce]
Psalm 120
Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).
To the Lord in the hour of my distress *
I call and he answers me.
“O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, *
from the tongue of the deceitful.”
What shall he pay you in return, *
O treacherous tongue?
The warrior’s arrows sharpened *
and coals, red-hot, blazing.
Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, *
dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Long enough have I been dwelling *
with those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak, *
they are for fighting.
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.
Psalm Prayer
You declared peacemakers happy, Lord Jesus, since they will be called sons of God. Give us that peace which the world cannot give so that your Church may be freed from the schemes of arrogant men, and, devoted to works of peace, go forward joyfully to meet you, the King of Peace.
Psalm 121
Guardian of his people
Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16).
I lift up my eyes to the mountains: *
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord *
who made heaven and earth.
May he never allow you to stumble! *
Let him sleep not, your guard.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, *
Israel’s guard.
The Lord is your guard and your shade; *
at your right side he stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you *
nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil, *
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming *
both now and for ever.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a quiet place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil until the end.
Psalm 122
The holy city, Jerusalem
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22).
I rejoiced when I heard them say: *
“Let us go to God’s house.”
And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city *
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, *
the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel’s law it is, *
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgement *
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray: *
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, *
in your palaces, peace!”
For love of my brethren and friends *
I say: “Peace upon you!”
For love of the house of the Lord *
I will ask for your good.
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.
Psalm Prayer
When you rose from the dead, Lord Jesus, you formed the Church into your new body, and made of it the new Jerusalem, united in your Spirit. Give us peace in our day. Make all nations come to your Church to share in your gifts in fellowship, that they may render you thanks without end and come to your eternal city.
Continue with Daytime Prayer
Psalm 123
The Lord is the hope of his people
Two blind men cried out: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us” (Matthew 20:30).
To you have I lifted up my eyes, *
you who dwell in the heavens:
my eyes, like the eyes of slaves *
on the hand of their lords.
Like the eyes of a servant *
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God *
till he show us his mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. *
We are filled with contempt.
Indeed all too full is our soul †
with the scorn of the rich, *
with the proud man’s disdain.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Father in heaven, we lift our eyes to you and pray: confound the scorn of the proud and graciously show us your mercy.
Psalm 124
Our help is in the name of the Lord
The Lord said to Paul: “Fear not. . . . I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10).
“If the Lord had not been on our side,” *
this is Israel’s song.
“If the Lord had not been on our side *
when men rose against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive *
when their anger was kindled.
Then would the waters have engulfed us, *
the torrent gone over us;
over our head would have swept *
the raging waters.”
Blessed be the Lord who did not give us *
a prey to their teeth!
Our life, like a bird, has escaped *
from the snare of the fowler.
Indeed the snare has been broken *
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, *
who made heaven and earth.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Lord Jesus, you foretold that your disciples would be despised on account of your name, but that not a hair of their heads is ever forgotten. In times of persecution, defend and revive us by the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit, so that we can be freed from our enemies and praise your saving help.
Psalm 125
The Lord, the guardian of his people
Peace to God’s true Israel (Galatians 6:16).
Those who put their trust in the Lord †
are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken, *
that stands for ever.
Jerusalem! The mountains surround her, †
so the Lord surrounds his people *
both now and for ever.
For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest *
over the land of the just
for fear that the hands of the just *
should turn to evil.
Do good, Lord, to those who are good, *
to the upright of heart;
but the crooked and those who do evil, *
drive them away!
On Israel, peace!
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.
Psalm Prayer
Surround your people, Lord, within the safety of your Church, which you preserve on its rock foundation. Do not let us stretch out our hands to evil deeds, nor be destroyed by the insidious snares of the enemy, but bring us to share the lot of the saints in light.
Continue with Daytime Prayer
Series III (Midafternoon) [None]
Psalm 126
Joyful hope in God
Companions with him in suffering, you will share his overflowing happiness (2 Corinthians 1:7).
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, *
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: “What marvels *
the Lord worked for them!”
What marvels the Lord worked for us! *
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage *
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears *
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears, *
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song, *
carrying their sheaves.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Lord, you have raised us from the earth; may you let the seeds of justice, which we have sown in tears, grow and increase in your sight. May we reap in joy the harvest we hope for patiently.
Psalm 127
Apart from God our labors are worthless
You are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9).
If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat: *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
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.
Psalm Prayer
You command the seed to rise, Lord God, though the farmer is unaware. Grant that those who labor for you may trust not in their own work but in your help. Remembering that the land is brought to flower not with human tears but with those of your Son, may the Church rely only upon your gifts.
Psalm 128
Happiness of family life rooted in God
“May the Lord bless you from Zion,” that is, from the Church (Arnobius).
O blessed are those who fear the Lord *
and walk in his ways!
By the labor of your hands you shall eat. *
You will be happy and prosper;
your wife like a fruitful vine *
in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive, *
around your table.
Indeed thus shall be blessed *
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion *
all the days of your life!
May you see your children’s children *
in a happy Jerusalem!
On Israel, peace!
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.
Psalm Prayer
Give lasting happiness, Lord, to those who reverence your name, so that our life and work may be such as to deserve your commendation, and bring us, laden with good fruit, to our everlasting home.
Continue with Daytime Prayer
