O God, you are my God, early will I seek you.
In the morning, I will direct my prayer unto you and will look up.
Lord, teach me to praise You
Great are you, O Lord, and greatly to be praised!
Great is your power, and of your wisdom there is no end.
Yet man — this particle of your creation, who bears about with him his mortality, the witness of his sin, even the witness that you “resist the proud” — desires to praise you.
You move us to delight in praising you; for you have formed us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.
St. Augustine of Hippo
For the Spirit of Prayer
O Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication:
Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
Thanksgiving for the gift of another day
We give you heartfelt thanks, O heavenly Father, for the rest of the past night and for the gift of a new day.
Grant that we may so pass its hours in the perfect freedom of your service, that we may again, when evening comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of repentance and faith
Lord Jesus Christ, I confess my faults, shortcomings, sins, and rebellious acts, and ask you to forgive me. I embrace you, Lord Jesus, as my Saviour and Lord.
Thank you for your atoning death on the cross in obedience to your Father’s will to put away my sins.
I enthrone you, Lord Jesus, to be in charge of every part of my life, and I ask you to indwell and empower me with your Holy Spirit, so that I may live as your faithful follower from now on. Amen.
For Intimacy with the Father
Gracious Father, we come to you through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Thank you for adopting us as your children through him. Grant us the grace to know you more fully as our Heavenly Father, that we may enjoy the fullness of the promises of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A CALL TO WORSHIP
The mercy of the Lord is everlasting:
O come, let us adore him!
Jubilate | Be Joyful
O come, let us adore him.
O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.
Be assured that the Lord, he is God;
it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise;
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting,
and his truth endures from generation to generation.
PSALM 100
The mercy of the Lord is everlasting:
O come, let us adore him!
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 Studying the Scriptures
Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your Holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON
Read an Old Testament passage from Genesis through Job.
KYRIE PANTOKRATOR | A Song of Penitence
O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven,
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth,
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence;
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure;
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion,
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand;
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord, you have promised forgiveness to sinners,
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart,
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned,
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you:
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin,
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent,
and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me, in accordance with your great mercy,
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises,
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of Manasseh, 1-2, 4, 6-7, 11-15
The Second Lesson
Read a New Testament passage from Matthew through John.
QUAERITE DOMINUM
Seek the Lord while he wills to be found
Seek the Lord while he wills to be found;
call upon him when he draws near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the evil ones their thoughts;
And let them turn to the Lord, and he will have compassion,
and to our God, for he will richly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor your ways my ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as rain and snow fall from the heavens
and return not again, but water the earth,
Bringing forth life and giving growth,
seed for sowing and bread for eating,
So is my word that goes forth from my mouth;
it will not return to me empty;
But it will accomplish that which I have purposed,
and prosper in that for which I sent it.
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.
ISAIAH 55:6-11
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 today.
The TEN COMMANDMENTS
God spoke these words and said:
I. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods but me.
II. You shall not make for yourself any idol.
III. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain.
IV. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
V. Honour your father and your mother.
VI. You shall not murder.
VII. You shall not commit adultery.
VIII. You shall not steal.
IX. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
X. You shall not covet.
Exodus 20:1–17
Deuteronomy 5:6–21
Lord, have mercy upon us,
and write all these, your laws, in our hearts, we beseech you.
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 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 10 | Fourth SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
July 15 | Olga and Vladimir, Patrons of the Church in Russia, 969, 1016
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.
July 17 | William White, Bishop of Pennsylvania and First Primate of the Church in the USA, 1836
O God, our heavenly Father, you raised up your faithful servant William White to be Bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
July 18 | Macrina, Nun and Teacher of the Faith, 379
O God, your blessed Son became poor for our sake, and chose the Cross over the kingdoms of this world: Deliver us from an inordinate love of worldly things, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Macrina, may seek you with singleness of heart, behold your glory by faith, and attain to the riches of your everlasting kingdom, where we shall be united with our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
July 19 | Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa and Teacher of the Faith, 396
Almighty God, you gave your servant Gregory of Nyssa 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.
The Collect of the Day
Tuesday | for Peace
O God, who are the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom stands our eternal life, and whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
Prayers and Intercessions
Starting with open intercessions for our family and community, and then:
O Lord God, who have bidden light to shine out of darkness, and have again wakened us to praise you for your goodness and to ask for your grace:
Accept now the offering of our worship and thanksgiving, and grant to us all such requests as may be acceptable to your holy will. Make us to live as children of the light, and heirs of your everlasting kingdom.
Remember, O Lord, according to the multitude of your mercies, your whole Church, all who join with us in prayer, and all our brethren, wherever they may be, who stand in need of your aid.
Pour down upon us all the riches of your grace, so that, redeemed in soul and body, and steadfast in faith, we may ever praise your wonderful and holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THOSE WE LOVE
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THE PARISH
Most merciful Father, we pray you to send your heavenly blessing upon your Church in this Parish, that all its members may dwell together in unity and brotherly love. Keep far from us all self-will and discord. Endue your ministers with righteousness, and enable them to faithfully dispense your holy Word and Sacraments, to bring again the outcasts, and to seek the lost. Grant that we may so receive their ministrations, and use your means of grace, that in all our words and deeds we may seek your glory and the advancement of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
FOR THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you”: Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly city, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
FOR COURTS OF JUSTICE
Almighty God, you sit on your throne giving righteous judgment: We humbly ask you to bless all courts of justice and all magistrates in this land; give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding, that fearing no power but yours alone, they may discern the truth and impartially administer the law; through him who shall come to be our Judge, your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
O Lord Jesus Christ, in your earthly life you shared our toil and hallowed our labour: Guide those who maintain the commerce and industries of this land, and give to all who labour pride in their work, a just reward, and joy both in supplying need and in serving you; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world without end. Amen.
FOR THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labours, and that in every place your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Daily Work
O Lord our Heavenly Father, by whose providence our duties are variously ordered: Grant to us all the spirit to labour heartily to do our work in our several stations, in serving one Master and looking for one reward. Teach us to put to good account whatever talents you have lent to us, and enable us to redeem our time by patience and zeal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR DAILY GROWTH | RICHARD OF CHICHESTER
Thanks be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me, and all the benefits you have given me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother: Grant that I may see you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
Richard of Chichester
The Dedication
O God, Most High and Holy, Three in One, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we offer to you this day ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto you; to whom be all praise and glory. Amen.
The GracE
May 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.