AN OUTLINE ORDER FOR MORNING PRAYER
SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace when we are in need of help. Hebrews 4:14,16
OPENING RESPONSES
Minister Drawn from many backgrounds and experiences,
All God gathers us as one body.
Minister Bringing our whole selves before our Maker,
All God transforms us more and more into who we were created to be.
Minister We stand together as people loved by God,
All and who are called to love others in ordinary and extraordinary ways.
Minister Come, let us worship together. O Lord, open our lips
All and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Minister Your throne has been established from of old;
All you are from everlasting. Alleluia.
Minister Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the darkness of death you have raised your Christ to the right hand of your majesty on high. The pioneer of our faith, his passion accomplished, has opened for us the way to heaven and sends on us the promised Spirit. May we be ready to follow the Way and so be brought to the glory of his presence where songs of triumph for ever sound: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All Amen
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
The Psalm of the Day is said. At the end of the Psalm, the following may be said.
Minister Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word and Holy Spirit:
All as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
THE CANTICLE
See what the Lord our God has done and exalt him in the sight of the living. Alleluia.
1 Blessed be God, who lives for ever, ♦ whose reign endures throughout all ages.
2 Declare God’s praise before the nations, ♦ you who are the children of Israel
3 For if our God has scattered you among them, ♦ there too has he shown you his greatness. 4 Exalt him in the sight of the living, ♦ because he is our Lord and God and our Father for ever 5 Though God punishes you for your wickedness, ♦ mercy will be shown to you all.
6 God will gather you from every nation, ♦ from wherever you have been scattered.
7 When you turn to the Lord with all your heart and soul, ♦ God will hide his face from you no more.
8 See what the Lord has done for you ♦ and give thanks with a loud voice.
9 Praise the Lord of righteousness ♦ and exalt the King of the ages.
All Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word and Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen. See what the Lord our God has done and exalt him in the sight of the living. Alleluia.
An appointed Reading from the Scriptures is read. After a period of silent reflection the following is said.
Minister Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
All Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is said
All I am ascending to my Father and to your Father; to my God and your God. Alleluia.
1 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, ♦ who has come to his people and set them free.
2 He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, ♦ born of the house of his servant David.
3 Through his holy prophets God promised of old ♦ to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us,
4 To show mercy to our ancestors, ♦ and to remember his holy covenant.
5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: ♦ to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
6 Free to worship him without fear, ♦ holy and righteous in his sight 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. Luke 1.68-79
All Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word and Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen. I am ascending to my Father and to your Father; to my God and your God. Alleluia.
THE PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY
Intercessions are offered.
THE COLLECT
Minister Grant, we pray, almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Minister Looking for the coming of his kingdom, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
All 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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
THE CONCLUSION
Minister May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven, bring us to reign with him in glory.
All Amen.
Minister Let us bless the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.