Daily Devotions for Families and Individuals
These devotions follow the basic structure of the Daily Office of the
Church.
When more than one person is present, the Reading and the Collect
should be read by one person, and the other parts said in unison, or in
some other convenient manner. (For suggestions about reading the
Psalms, see page 582.)
For convenience, appropriate Psalms, Readings, and Collects are
provided in each service. When desired, however, the Collect of the
Day, or any of the Collects appointed in the Daily Offices, may be used
instead.
The Psalms and Readings may be replaced by those appointed in
a) the Lectionary for Sundays, Holy Days, the Common of Saints, and
Various Occasions, page 888
b) the Daily Office Lectionary, page 934
c) some other manual of devotion which provides daily selections for the
Church Year.
136 Daily Devotions
In the Morning
From Psalm 51
Open my lips, O Lord, *
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
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.
Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
A Reading
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3
A period of silence may follow.
A hymn or canticle may be used; the Apostles’ Creed may be said.
Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Collect
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought
us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty
power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by
adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your
purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Devotions 137
At Noon
From Psalm 113
Give praise, you servants of the LORD; *
praise the Name of the LORD.
Let the Name of the LORD be blessed, *
from this time forth for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to its going down *
let the Name of the LORD be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations, *
and his glory above the heavens.
A Reading
O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are
fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in
quietness and trust shall be our strength. Isaiah 26:3; 30:15
Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Collect
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 mercies’
sake. Amen.
or this
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.
138 Daily Devotions
In the Early Evening
This devotion may be used before or after the evening meal.
The Order of Worship for the Evening, page 109, may be used instead.
O gracious 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.
A Reading
It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ
Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus’ sake.
For the same God who said, “Out of darkness let light
shine,” has caused his light to shine within us, to give the
light of revelation–the revelation of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Collect
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.
Daily Devotions 139
At the Close of Day
Psalm 134
Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
A Reading
Lord, you are in the midst of us and we are called by your
Name: Do not forsake us, O Lord our God. Jeremiah 14:9,22
The following may be said
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see;
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Prayers for ourselves and others may follow. It is appropriate that
prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings of the day, and penitence for our
sins, be included.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Collect
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.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.
140 Daily Devotions