matins – A Collection of Prayers

Litany for Matins

Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.
Glory to you, who gave me sleep to refresh my weakness
and to repay the toils of this weak flesh.
To this day, and all days,
a peaceful, healthy, sinless course,
Grant, O Lord.

The angel of peace,
a faithful guide, guardian of souls and bodies,
to encamp around me
and to encourage all that is good,
Grant, O Lord.

Pardon and forgiveness of all sins and offences,
Grant, O Lord.

To our souls, whatever is good and convenient,
and peace to the world,
Grant, O Lord.

Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
such thoughts and such deeds,
Grant, O Lord.

A Christian death,
without sin,
without shame,
and if it pleases you, without pain,
and a good answer before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant, O Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Andrews, in Service and Prayers for Church and Home, p. 14 (modified)

Daily Devotion

If used with a group, normal type is read by the leader, bold is read by the group. If used by an individual, all text is read.

O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth shall declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)

Hasten to save me, O God.
O Lord, come quickly to help me. (Psalm 40:13)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
(Alleluia.) Alleluia is omitted during Lent.
During Lent: Praise to you, O Christ, King of endless glory.

READINGS

Click this link for readings from the Daily Office in the Revised Common Daily Lectionary (Complementary) from BibleGateway. (Opens in a new window.) Includes daily Old and New Testament readings.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.

MORNING

Other Prayers may then be said, and after them this PRAYER FOR GRACE.

My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all the day. (Psalm 71:8)

Lord God, almighty Father, eternal God, you have brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us today with your saving power so that we neither fall into sin nor run into any danger, but in everything we do, subject our words and direct our thoughts to what is right in your sight; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

EVENING

Other Prayers may then be said, and after them this PRAYER FOR PEACE.

May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace! (Psalm 29:11)

O God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you. Give your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. Defend us from the fear of our enemies, that we may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.
Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The grace of the Lord + Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Amen.

For Morning

O God,
you have folded back the cover of the night
to clothe us in the golden glory of the day.
Chase from our hearts all gloomy thoughts,
and make us glad with the brightness of hope,
that we may effectively aspire to promised virtues;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: An Ancient Collect, sixth century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953