MORNING PRAYER (New Zealand Prayer Book)
Opening Sentence.
Rejoice always, pray constantly; in everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.
Open our lips, O Lord;
This Song of Praise follows.
The Song of Tobit
| 1 | Blessèd be God who ′ lives for ′ ever: blessèd be God who ′ rules ′ over ′ all. | |
| 2 | We give thanks to you O Lord be′fore the ′ nations: for you have ′ scattered ′ us a′mong them. | |
| 3 | There we make your ′ greatness ′ known: and exalt you in the ′ presence · of ′ all the ′ living, | |
| 4 | because you are the ′ Lord our ′ God: you ′ are our ′ Father · for ′ ever. | |
| 5 | When we turn to you with all our ′ heart and ′ soul: to ′ do · what is ′ true be′fore you, | |
| 6 | then you will ′ turn to ′ us: and hide your ′ face from ′ us no ′ longer. | |
| 7 | Consider now the deeds that ′ God has ′ done for you: and give thanks to ′ God with ′ full ′ voice | . |
| 8 | Praise the ′ Lord of ′ righteousness: and exalt the ′ ruler ′ of the ′ ages. Glory to the Father and ′ to the ′ Son: and ′ to the ′ Holy ′ Spirit;as it was in the be′ginning is ′ now: and shall be for ′ ever. ′ A′men. |
The Psalm (or Psalms) appointed are said or sung.
Then follow Readings from the Bible as appointed.
Silence is kept after the Readings
This Song of Praise follows.
A Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3-7)
| 1 | Blessèd be the God and Father of our Lord ′ Jesus ′ Christ: by whose great mercy ′ we · have been ′ born a′new, |
| 2 | born to a ′ living ′ hope: by the resurrection of Jesus ′ Christ ′ from the ′ dead; |
| 3 | born to an inheritance‿ which will never perish or ′ wither · a′way: one that is ′ kept in ′ heaven · for ′ us. |
| 4 | By God′s power we are ′ guarded · through ′ faith: for a salvation ready to be re′vealed · at the′ end of ′ time. |
| 5 | We rejoice in this, though now we suffer ′ vari·ous ′ trials: so that the genuineness of our faith, more precious than ′ gold · that is ′ tested · by ′ fire, |
| 6 | may result in praise and ′ glory · and ′ honour: at the reve′lation · of ′ Jesus ′ Christ. Glory to the Father and ′ to the ′ Son: and ′ to the ′ Holy ′ Spirit; as it was in the be′ginning · is ′ now: and shall be for ′ ever. A′men. |
| Then follow | The Apostles’ Creed The Lord’s Prayer A Collect of the Day Thanksgivings and Intercessions |
The following Morning Collect may be said.
O God,
the author of peace and lover of concord;
to know you is eternal life,
to serve you is perfect freedom.
Defend us your servants in every stress and danger,
that we may trust in your defence
and not fear the power of any adversaries;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant us to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus, that we may with one voice glorify our God and Father. AMEN
A GUIDE TO MORNING PRAYER
This form of Morning Prayer comes to us from the New Zealand Prayerbook from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. They offer simple daily services for each day of the week. http://anglicanprayerbook.nz/054.html . This is one of the weekday services. There are other examples including those in our own BAS and BCP.
Morning or Evening prayers are a good way to simply step away from the cares and concerns of our world. A time of prayer offers a quiet moment or two, a moment when we can bring our worries and concern to God. A time when we can find rest.
If you are able find a spot in your house– ideally a quiet spot– but also any place that can offer a space for you to focus your thoughts will be fine. If you have a candle, light it before you begin. Take a moment once it is lit to collect your thoughts. Focus on the light as it takes hold and breathe in and out, slowly and deeply. Relax.
You may say these prayers alone or with your family or with a friend or friends. If you wish, call a friend and say them together over the phone. When I was small my family gathered in one of our bedrooms and said Compline just before bed time when my brothers and I were in our pajamas. Find the space and the time that suits you best. It may change but make it an intentional time.
When you finish the prayers, if you are able to, sit a moment before getting up to take on the rest of your day.
Appointed Psalms may be found on the Anglican Church of Canada’s online lectionary https://lectionary.anglican.ca or in the post ‘Psalms and Collects’ elsewhere on this webpage