Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house and the place where your honour dwells.

Psalm 26:8

FOR QUIET CONFIDENCE

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

PREPARATION FOR PERSONAL PRAYER

Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, we cannot pray without your aid:

Kindle in us the fire of your love, and illumine us with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts we may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

Let us pray:

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven;
Hallowed be your Name;
Your kingdom come;
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today 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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen.

For Intimacy With The Son

Lord Jesus Christ, as I surrender to you as Lord of my life, draw me ever closer to you. Show me where I may harbour resistance to your lordship and rejection of your will. Bring me into the greater joy of the abundant life that you desire for me, now and forever; through your holy Name. Amen.

Confession of Sin

Let us confess our sins to Almighty God:

O Almighty Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. Have mercy upon us, O Lord; have mercy upon us after your great goodness. According to the multitude of your mercies do away our offences. Wash us thoroughly from our wickedness, and cleanse us from our sins. For Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
 

For Pardon through the Cross

Almighty Father, who of your great love gave your dearly beloved Son to die for us: Grant that through his Cross our sins may be put away, and remembered no more against us, and that, cleansed by his Blood, and mindful of his sufferings, we may take up our cross daily, and follow him in newness of life, until we come to his everlasting kingdom; through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For INtimacy With The Spirit

Almighty God, thank you for giving me new life in Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Bring forth in me the goodness and love of Jesus. Empower me to serve you in faith and obedience to Christ, that I may always live for your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PHOS HILARON | O Gladsome Light

O gladsome light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

THE PSALMS OF THE DAY

Read or chant the Psalms of the Day:

Let us prepare our hearts to hear from God’s Word:

FOR INNER RENEWAL THROUGH THE WORD

Gracious God and most merciful Father, who have granted us the rich and precious jewel of your holy Word: Assist us with your Spirit, that the same Word may be written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to your own image, to build us up and edify us into the perfect dwelling place of your Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues; grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

THE FIRST LESSON

Read an Old Testament passage from Proverbs through Malachi.

MAGNIFICAT | THE SONG OF MARY

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
For he has regarded
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from now on,
all generations will call me blessed;
For he that is mighty has magnified me,
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him,
throughout all generations.
He has shown the strength of his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the humble and meek.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel,
as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

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.

LUKE 1:46-55

The Second Lesson

Read a New Testament passage from Acts through Revelation.

NUNC DIMITTIS | THE SONG OF SIMEON

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace,
according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of your people Israel.

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.

LUKE 2:29-32

Hymns

Select a few hymns to sing, either by Topic or Scripture.

Bible Study

Meditate on the Scripture passages you’ve just read, then take the time to read through the notes in your Study Bible / Library panel or use an Expository Commentary to ensure you’ve understood God’s Word to you this evening.

The Summary of the Law

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40

Lord, have mercy upon us,
and write both these, your laws, in our hearts, we beseech you.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
     the Father, the Almighty,
     maker of heaven and earth,
     of all that is, visible and invisible. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
     eternally begotten of the Father, 
     God from God, Light from Light, 
     true God from true God, 
     begotten, not made, 
     of one Being with the Father;
     through him all things were made.
     For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
     was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
     and was made man.
     For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
     he suffered death and was buried.
     On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
     he ascended into heaven
     and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
     He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
     and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
     who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
     who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
     who has spoken through the prophets.
     We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
     We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
     We look for the resurrection of the dead,
     and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

The Catechism

Read or listen to a selection of questions and answers from
To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism.

Theology & Church History

Delve into further Christian resources in order to know God more deeply and to be inspired by the lives of the saints who’ve gone before us.

Let us continue in prayer:

The Collects of the Week
 

PROPER 11 | Fifth SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

July 20 | Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th c.

Almighty God, you gave your servant Margaret of Antioch boldness to confess the Name of our Saviour Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

July 22 | Mary Magdalene

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and of mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that, by your grace, we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

July 24 | Thomas à Kempis, Priest and Teacher of the Faith, 1471

Almighty God, you gave your servant Thomas à Kempis special gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth revealed in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

July 25 | James the Elder, Apostle

O gracious God, your servant and apostle James was first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ: Pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service, by which they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

July 26 | The Parents of the Virgin Mary

Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy; for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

Sunday | for Resurrection Hope

Lord God, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem: Grant that we, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection, may praise you in that City of which he is the light, and where he lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Listen for God’s Guidance

Spend time in quiet reflection and actively listen for the Holy Spirit’s gentle promptings, finding a sense of peace and clarity, while also discerning alignment with Holy Scripture and the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

For Relatives and Friends

Starting with open intercessions for our family and community, and then:

O Loving Father, we commend to your gracious keeping all who are near and dear to us. Have mercy upon any who are sick, and comfort those who are in pain, anxiety or sorrow.

Awaken all who are careless about eternal things. Bless those who are young and in health, that they may give the days of their strength to you. Comfort the aged and infirm, that your peace may rest upon them.

Hallow the ties of kindred, that we may help, and not hinder, one another in all such good works as you have prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR VOCATIONS TO ORDAINED MINISTRY

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who cares for his flock: We ask you to bestow upon your Church the gifts of the Holy Spirit in abundance, and to raise up from among us faithful and able persons called to the ministries of Deacon, Priest, and Bishop. Inspire them to spend and be spent for the sake of the Gospel, and make them holy and loving servants and shepherds of the flock for whom you shed your most precious blood. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.

FOR THE HUMAN FAMILY

O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THOSE WHO LIVE ALONE

Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that all those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you and their neighbours; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR FAMILIES

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and true godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy matrimony, have been made one flesh; turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AFTER COMMUNION

Finished and perfected is the mystery of your dispensation to us, O Christ our God: For we have beheld the likeness of your death, we have seen your resurrection in the breaking of the bread, and we have partaken of your inexhaustible and divine delights, of which you do make us worthy, both now and in your kingdom, ages upon ages. Amen.

Liturgy of St. Basil

AFTER PUBLIC WORSHIP 

Grant, Almighty God, that the words we have heard this day with our ears may by your grace be grafted in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of a righteous life, to the honour and praise of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Mission

O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men, women, and children everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR TRUSTFULNESS IN TIMES OF WORRY AND ANXIETY

Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect for Protection

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR SLEEP

Father, in your mercy dispel the darkness of this night, and let your servant sleep in peace, that at the dawn of a new day I may wake with joy in your Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR UNION WITH CHRIST

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds hide me. Permit me not to be separated from you. From the wicked foe defend me. In the hour of my death call me, and bid me come to you, that with your saints I may praise you for ever and ever. Amen.

Anima Christi

Thanksgiving

O most merciful Father, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed upon us. For life and health and safety, for power to work and leisure to rest, for all that is beautiful in creation and in our lives, we praise and magnify your holy Name.

But, above all, we thank you for our spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus our Lord, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Commendation

The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night, and at the last a perfect end.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us this night, and for evermore. Amen.