Morning Prayer
The Conversion of Paul, Apostle
Festivals / The Conversion of Paul, Apostle
O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Amen.
Psalmody
Antiphon:
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice:*
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Psalm 97.1
Opening
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable Hymn
(Or from Psalm 97)
1. You are the Lord, most high over all the earth;*
you are exalted far above all gods.
2. The Lord loves those who hate evil;*
preserving the lives of the saints and delivering them from
the hand of the wicked.
3. Light has sprung up for the righteous,*
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
4. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous.*
and give thanks to the holy name of the Lord.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable hymn
Psalm 69:19-36
19. You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonour;*
my adversaries are all in your sight.”
20. Reproach has broken my heart, *and it cannot be healed;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none, *for
comforters, but I could find no one.
21. They gave me gall to eat, *
and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
22. Let the table before them be a trap *
and their sacred feasts a snare.
23. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, *
and give them continual trembling in their loins.
24. Pour out your indignation upon them, *
and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
25. Let their camp be desolate, *
and let there be none to dwell in their tents.
26. For they persecute those whom you have stricken *
and add to the pain of those whom you have pierced.
27. Lay to their charge guilt upon guilt, *
and let them not receive your vindication.
28. Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
and not be written among the righteous.
29. As for me, I am afflicted and in pain; *
your help, O God, will lift me up on high.
30. I will praise the name of God in song; *
I will proclaim your greatness with thanksgiving.
31. This will please the Lord more than an offering of
oxen, *
more than bullocks with horns and hoofs.
32. The afflicted shall see and be glad; *
you who seek God, your heart shall live.
33. For the Lord listens to the needy *
and does not despise the prisoners.
34. Let the heavens and the earth praise the Lord, *
the seas and all that moves in them;
35. for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah;*
they shall live there and have it in possession.
36. The children of the servants of God will inherit it, *
and those who love the name of the Lord will dwell
therein.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Conclusion
We praise you, O God - Te Deum
1. We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord;*
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting
2. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
3. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,*
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
4. The glorious company of apostles*
praise you.
5. The noble fellowship of prophets*
praise you.
6. The white-robed army of martyrs*
praise you.
7. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:*
Father, of majesty unbounded.
8. Your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,*
the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
9. You, Christ, are the king of glory,*
the eternal Son of the Father.
10. When you took our flesh to set us free*
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
11. You overcame the sting of death,*
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
12. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.*
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
13. Come then, Lord, and help your people,*
bought with the price of your own blood.
14. And bring us with your saints*
to glory everlasting.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice:* let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Reading(s)
Isaiah 45.18-25
For thus says the Lord,
who created the heavens
(he is God!),
who formed the earth and made it
(he established it;
he did not create it a chaos,
he formed it to be inhabited!):
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I did not speak in secret,
in a land of darkness;
I did not say to the offspring of Jacob,
‘Seek me in chaos.’
I the Lord speak the truth,
I declare what is right.
Assemble yourselves and come together,
draw near, you survivors of the nations!
They have no knowledge—
those who carry about their wooden idols,
and keep on praying to a god
that cannot save.
Declare and present your case;
let them take counsel together!
Who told this long ago?
Who declared it of old?
Was it not I, the Lord?
There is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Saviour;
there is no one besides me.
Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
By myself I have sworn,
from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness
a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear.’
Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me,
are righteousness and strength;
all who were incensed against him
shall come to him and be ashamed.
In the Lord all the offspring of Israel
shall triumph and glory.
Philippians 3.4b-11
even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.
If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Silence
Response (Psalm 89.1)
Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing.
Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing.
My mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
Throughout all generations.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing.
Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. Their sound* * has gone out through all the world.
1 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, *
who has come to his people and set them free.
2 The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,*
born of the house of his servant David.
3 Through the holy prophets, God promised of old*
to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us,
4 to show mercy to our forebears, *
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 before him, 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 the way,
8 to give his people knowledge of salvation*
by the forgiveness of 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.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
(may be said by all)
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. Their sound* * has gone out through all the world.
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen
Collect of the Day
Almighty God,
who by the preaching of your blessed apostle Paul
caused the light of the gospel to shine among the nations:
grant that we, who celebrate his wonderful conversion,
may be united with him in bearing witness to your truth;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Amen
God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal.
Amen.
Evening Prayer
The Conversion of Paul, Apostle
Festivals / The Conversion of Paul, Apostle
O God make speed to save us;
O Lord make haste to help us.
Glory to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Psalmody
Antiphon: Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing the praises of God in the congregation of the
faithful.
Psalm 149.1
Opening (from Psalm 149)
1. Let Israel rejoice in their maker;*
let the children of Zion be joyful in their sovereign.
2. For the Lord takes pleasure in this people*
and adorns the poor with victory.
3. Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;*
let them be joyful on their beds.
4. Let the praises of God be in their throat*
and a two-edged sword in their hand.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable Hymn
Psalm 70
1. Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O Lord, make haste to help me.
2. Let those who seek my life be ashamed and altogether dismayed; *
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune draw
back and be disgraced.
3. Let those who say to me “Aha!” and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.
4. Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever, “Great
is the Lord!”
5. But as for me, I am poor and needy; come to me speedily, O God. *
You are my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not
tarry.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Psalm 72
1. Give the king your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the king’s son;
2. that he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
3. that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
4. He shall defend the needy among the people, *
rescuing the poor and crushing the oppressor.
5. He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6. He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.
7. In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall
be no more.
8. He shall rule from sea to sea, *
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9. His foes shall bow down before him, *
and his enemies lick the dust.
10. The rulers of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the rulers of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11. All rulers shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.
12. For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress *
and the oppressed who has no helper.
13. He shall have pity on the lowly and poor *
and shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14. He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15. Long may he live! *
And may there be given to him gold from Arabia; may
prayer be made for him always, and may they bless
him all the day long.
16. May there be abundance of grain on the earth,
growing thick even on the hilltops;
may its fruit flourish like Lebanon, and its grain like
grass upon the earth
17. May his name remain for ever and be established as long as the sun endures; *
may all the nations bless themselves in him and call
him blessed.
18. Blessed are you, Lord God, the God of Israel, *
for you alone do wondrous deeds!
19. And blessed be your glorious name for ever *
and may all the earth be filled with your glory.
Amen. Amen.
Conclusion
Revelation 4 and 5
1. Glory and honour and power*
are yours by right, O Lord our God;
2. For you created all things*
and by your will they have their being.
3. Glory and honour and power*
are yours by right, O Lamb who was slain;
4. For by your blood you ransomed us for God,*
from every race and language, from every people and
nation.
5. To make us a kingdom of priests*
to stand and serve before our God.
6. To God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb*
be praise and honour, glory and might, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: Sing to the Lord a new song;* sing the praises of God in the congregation of the faithful.
Reading(s)
Ecclesiasticus 39.1-10
He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients, and is concerned with prophecies; he preserves the sayings of the famous and penetrates the subtleties of parables; he seeks out the hidden meanings of proverbs and is at home with the obscurities of parables. He serves among the great and appears before rulers; he travels in foreign lands and learns what is good and evil in the human lot. He sets his heart on rising early to seek the Lord who made him, and to petition the Most High; he opens his mouth in prayer and asks pardon for his sins.If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own and give thanks to the Lord in prayer. The Lord will direct his counsel and knowledge, as he meditates on his mysteries. He will show the wisdom of what he has learned, and will glory in the law of the Lord’s covenant. Many will praise his understanding; it will never be blotted out. His memory will not disappear, and his name will live through all generations. Nations will speak of his wisdom, and the congregation will proclaim his praise.
Silence
Response Psalm 147.12
You delight, Lord, in those who fear you.
You delight, Lord, in those who fear you.
Who wait in hope for your mercy.
Those who fear you.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
You delight, Lord, in those who fear you.
Song of Mary (Magnificat)
Song of Mary Antiphon: Those that sow in tears* shall reap with songs of joy.
1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
2 who has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
3 The Almighty has done great things for me,*
and holy is his name.
4 God has mercy on those who fear him,*
from generation to generation.
5 The Lord has shown strength with his arm*
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
6 casting down the mighty from their thrones*
and lifting up the lowly.
7 God has filled the hungry with good things*
and sent the rich away empty.
8 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,*
to remember the promise of mercy,
9 the promise made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
(may be said by all)
Song of Mary Antiphon: Those that sow in tears* shall reap with songs of joy.
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Collect of the Day
Almighty God,
who by the preaching of your blessed apostle Paul
caused the light of the gospel to shine among the nations:
grant that we, who celebrate his wonderful conversion,
may be united with him in bearing witness to your truth;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Amen
Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Night Prayer
The Conversion of Paul, Apostle
Festivals / The Conversion of Paul, Apostle
The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to God, source of all being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Alleluia!
Psalmody
Opening This or another suitable opening hymn may be sung.
"Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death."
Antiphon: You, O Lord, are good and forgiving;* full of kindness and truth.
Psalm: Psalm 86
1. Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me,*
for I am poor and in misery.
2. Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;*
save your servant who puts his trust in you.
3. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God;*
I call upon you all the day long.
4. Gladden the soul of your servant,*
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,*
and great is your love toward all who call upon you.
6. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer,*
and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7. In the time of my trouble I will call upon you,*
for you will answer me.
8. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord,*
nor anything like your works.
9. All nations you have made will come and worship
you, O Lord,
and glorify your name.
10 For you are great; you do wondrous things;*
and you alone are God.
11. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;*
knit my heart to you that I may fear your name.
12. I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart,*
and glorify your name for evermore.
13. For great is your love toward me;*
you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit.
14. The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a band of violent men seeks my life;*
they have not set you before their eyes.
15. But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion,*
slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.
16. Turn to me and have mercy upon me;*
give strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid.
17. Show me a sign of your favour, so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed;*
because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: You, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
full of kindness and truth.
Reading(s)
1 Thessalonians 5.9, 10
God destined us to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
Response Psalm 31.5
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Song of Simeon
Antiphon:
Preserve us, O Lord,* while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
1. Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace;*
your word has been fulfilled.
2. My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every
people;
3. A light to reveal you to the nations,*
and 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 shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Prayers
Collect
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 world may rest in your eternal
changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Conclusion
The Lord be with you;
and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord;
Thanks be to God.
May the almighty and merciful God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Amen.
or
May we be hidden under the shadow of God’s wings, this night and for ever.
Amen.