God isn’t hiding: he wants to be known, and wants us to know him! Through the Scriptures, God speaks the gospel (“good news”) to us: Christ, in the power of the Spirit, has been sent by the Father to heal all that’s broken. In prayer, we speak back to him by praising him, giving thanks, and asking for that healing to come more fully in us and in others. Scripture and prayer are simply the rhythm of that ever-deepening relationship.
Because we need help, and God has bound us to one another – across the ages – for encouragement on the journey. On our own, our passion wanes, our attention scatters, and we get stuck in our own ruts. Together we see him more fully.
In Common Prayer (sometimes called Praying the Hours or the Daily Office), we find words to guide us when we have none. In the Common Word (sometimes called the Daily Lectionary), we’re exposed to the whole Bible every two years, opening us to the whole story of the gospel. And when we pray and read in and with community, the encouragement grows.
The Common Word reading plan (accessed through the Download link above) invites you to join multitudes of Christians across the world encountering Christ through the Scriptures. The plan takes you through the New Testament once a year, the Old Testament once every two years, and the Psalms once every two months. But if you miss a day, don’t feel the pressure to catch up: simply pick up the reading for the day assigned. A Common Word isn’t something to achieve: it’s an opportunity for ongoing encounter with God.
We recognize that this may feel daunting or difficult. Many of us are afraid to admit it, but when we come to the Scriptures it often doesn’t feel like a feast. The OT can seem violent, the NT can feel backward, while huge chunks of both Testaments are often just plain confusing. The Feast Class, taught a few years ago by Pastor Ken, is for Long-time Bible readers, those who know they should read but don’t, and those who are tempted to throw their Bibles out the window.
For more Bible study resources, we recommend a few free sites:
Common Prayer (sometimes called the Daily Office or Praying the Hours) is a form of prayer that is both steady and flexible. Each set of prayers corresponds to a different portion of the day. They can be used by anyone, and are even short enough for families with young children. You can download the prayers through the link above, or use these digital versions.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise. Psalm 51:16
Take a few moments to praise God for who he is.
Psalm 51:11-13
Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Take a few moments to confess specific sins.
O give me the comfort of your help again *
and sustain me with your willing Spirit.
Glory 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.
A Reading from Holy Scripture
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
or this
Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12-14
or this
If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
or a reading from the Daily Office Lectionary
A period of silence may follow.
Offer prayers for yourself and others
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Collect (pick one)
A COLLECT FOR STRENGTH TO AWAIT CHRIST’S RETURN
Sunday
O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered
sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive
our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the
consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR THE RENEWAL OF LIFE
Monday
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the
morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the
way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice
to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR PEACE
Tuesday
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect
freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your
defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR GRACE
Wednesday
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of
this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that,
guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR GUIDANCE
Thursday
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us
by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember
that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR ENDURANCE
Friday
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory
before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the Cross, may find it none other than
the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR SABBATH REST
Saturday
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for
all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of
your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your
people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3
Psalm 113:1-4
Praise the LORD. Sing praises, you servants of the LORD;
O praise the Name of the LORD.
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
from this time forth for evermore.
The LORD’s Name be praised
From the rising up of the sun to the going down of the same.
The LORD is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.
Glory 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.
A Reading from Holy Scripture
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
or this
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
or a reading from Common Word
A period of silence may follow.
Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Collect (choose one)
Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the Cross, stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
Almighty Savior, who at mid-day called your servant Saint Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles: We pray you to illumine the world with the radiance of your glory, that all nations may come and worship you; for you live
and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Father of all mercies, you revealed your boundless compassion to your apostle Saint Peter in a three-fold vision: Forgive our unbelief, we pray, and so strengthen our hearts and enkindle our zeal, that we may fervently desire the salvation of all people, and diligently labor in the extension of your kingdom; through him
who gave himself for the life of the world, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his Cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
This devotion may be used before or after the evening meal
How excellent is your mercy, O God!
The children of men shall take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
For with you is the well of life,
and in your light we see light. Psalm 36:7, 9
Phos Hilaron (O Gladsome Light)
O gladsome light,
pure brightness of the ever-living 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 praises to God: the Father, the Son, and the 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.
A Reading from Holy Scripture
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants, for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
or this
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
or this
Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
or a reading from Common Word
A period of silence may follow.
Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Collect (choose one)
A COLLECT FOR PEACE
O God, the source of all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works: Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR PROTECTION
O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread.
Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
A COLLECT FOR FAITH
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; for you, Lord, only, make me dwell in safety.
PSALM 4:8
Psalm 134
Behold now, praise the LORD *
all you servants of the LORD,
You that stand by night in the house of the LORD, *
even in the courts of the house of our God.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary *
and sing praises unto the LORD.
The LORD who made heaven and earth *
give you blessing out of Zion.
A Reading from Holy Scripture
You keep them in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on you, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD
for ever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock. ISAIAH 26:3-4
or this
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be
kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23
or a reading from Common Word
A period of silence may follow.
Prayers for ourselves and others may follow.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Collect (choose one)
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)
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 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
Concluding Sentence
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us, this night and evermore. Amen