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Pray
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Morning Prayer

Wednesday after the Third Sunday in Lent

Opening Sentence

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Amen.Mark 8:34

Confession of Sin

BCP p. 79/116

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

ost merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought,
word, and deed,
by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us and forgive us;

that we may delight in your will,

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your Name.
Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Invitatory and Psalter

BCP p. 80

V:Lord, open our lips.
R:And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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.

Venite

BCP p. 82

Psalm 95:1-7

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: Come let us adore him.

ome, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: Come let us adore him.

For the Lord is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: Come let us adore him.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *

Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: Come let us adore him.

Psalm 119: Mem Quomodo dilexi!

BCP p. 771

97

h, how I love your law! *
all the day long it is in my mind.

98

Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *
and it is always with me.

99

I have more understanding than all my teachers, *
for your decrees are my study.

100

I am wiser than the elders, *
because I observe your commandments.

101

I restrain my feet from every evil way, *
that I may keep your word.

102

I do not shrink from your judgments, *
because you yourself have taught me.

103

How sweet are your words to my taste! *
they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

104

Through your commandments I gain understanding; *
therefore I hate every lying way.

Psalm 119: Nun Lucerna pedibus meis

BCP p. 772

105

our word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.

106

I have sworn and am determined *
to keep your righteous judgments.

107

I am deeply troubled; *
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.

108

Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, *
and teach me your judgments.

109

My life is always in my hand, *
yet I do not forget your law.

110

The wicked have set a trap for me, *
but I have not strayed from your commandments.

111

Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *
truly, they are the joy of my heart.

112

I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *
for ever and to the end.

Psalm 119: Samekh Iniquos odio habui

BCP p. 772

113

hate those who have a divided heart, *
but your law do I love.

114

You are my refuge and shield; *
my hope is in your word.

115

Away from me, you wicked! *
I will keep the commandments of my God.

116

Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, *
and let me not be disappointed in my hope.

117

Hold me up, and I shall be safe, *
and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.

118

You spurn all who stray from your statutes; *
their deceitfulness is in vain.

119

In your sight all the wicked of the earth are but dross; *
therefore I love your decrees.

120

My flesh trembles with dread of you; *
I am afraid of your judgments.

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.

The Lessons

The First Reading

Jeremiah 8:18-9:6 (NRSV)

A Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah.

y joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. 19Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” (“Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?”) 20“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” 21For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. 22Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?

O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people! 2O that I had in the desert a traveler’s lodging place, that I might leave my people and go away from them! For they are all adulterers, a band of traitors. 3They bend their tongues like bows; they have grown strong in the land for falsehood, and not for truth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know me, says the Lord. 4Beware of your neighbors, and put no trust in any of your kin; for all your kin are supplanters, and every neighbor goes around like a slanderer. 5They all deceive their neighbors, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongues to speak lies; they commit iniquity and are too weary to repent. 6Oppression upon oppression, deceit upon deceit! They refuse to know me, says the Lord.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

11. The Third Song of Isaiah Surge, illuminare

BCP p. 87

Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19

rise, shine, for your light has come, *
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.

For behold, darkness covers the land; *
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.

But over you the Lord will rise, *
and his glory will appear upon you.

Nations will stream to your light, *
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.

Your gates will always be open; *
by day or night they will never be shut.

They will call you, The City of the Lord, *
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Violence will no more be heard in your land, *
ruin or destruction within your borders.

You will call your walls, Salvation, *
and all your portals, Praise.

The sun will no more be your light by day; *
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.

The Lord will be your everlasting light, *
and your God will be your glory.


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.

The Second Reading

John 8:12-20 (NRSV)

A Reading from the Gospel According to John.

gain Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” 13Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” 14Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15You judge by human standards; I judge no one. 16Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.” 19Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

19. The Song of the Redeemed Magna et mirabilia

BCP p. 94

Revelation 15:3-4

ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *

surpassing human understanding.

Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.

Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name? *

for you only are the Holy One.

All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.


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.

The Apostles’ Creed

BCP p. 96/120

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 power of 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 Prayers

OfficiantThe Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd also with you.
OfficiantLet us pray.
The Lord’s Prayer

ur Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day 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 thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffrages
V.Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R.And grant us your salvation.
V.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R.Let your people sing with joy.
V.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R.For only in you can we live in safety.
V.Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R.And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.Let your way be known upon earth;
R.Your saving health among all nations.
V.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R.Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R.And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
The Collect of the Day

lmighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Guidance

eavenly 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 Prayer for Mission

ord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

Prayers and Thanksgivings
  • Prayers
    • Prayers for the World
      • 1. For Joy in God's Creation
      • 2. For all Sorts and Conditions of Men
      • 3. For the Human Family
      • 4. For Peace

        4. For Peace

        Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

      • 5. For Peace among the Nations
      • 6. For our Enemies
    • Prayers for the Church
      • 7. For the Church
      • 8. For the Mission of the Church

        8. For the Mission of the Church

        Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

      • 9. For Clergy and People
      • 10. For the Diocese
      • 11. For the Parish
      • 12. For a Church Convention or Meeting
      • 13. For the Election of a Bishop or other Minister
      • 14. For the Unity of the Church
      • 15. For those about to be Baptized or to renew their Baptismal Covenant
      • 16. For Monastic Orders and Vocations
      • 17. For Church Musicians and Artists
    • Prayers for National Life
      • 18. For our Country
      • 19. For the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority
      • 20. For Congress or a State Legislature
      • 21. For Courts of Justice
      • 22. For Sound Government
      • 23. For Local Government
      • 24. For an Election
      • 25. For those in the Armed Forces of our Country
      • 26. For those who Suffer for the sake of Conscience

        26. For those who Suffer for the sake of Conscience

        O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.

    • Prayers for the Social Order
    • Prayers for the Natural Order
      • 40. For Knowledge of God's Creation
      • 41. For the Conservation of Natural Resources
      • 42. For the Harvest of Lands and Waters
      • 43. For Rain
      • 44. For the Future of the Human Race
    • Prayers for Family and Personal Life
      • 45. For Families
      • 46. For the Care of Children
      • 47. For Young Persons
      • 48. For Those Who Live Alone

        48. For Those Who Live Alone

        Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

      • 49. For the Aged
      • 50. For a Birthday
      • 51. For a Birthday
      • 52. For the Absent
      • 53. For Travelers
      • 54. For those we Love
      • 55. For a Person in Trouble or Bereavement
      • 56. For the Victims of Addiction
      • 57. For Guidance
      • 58. For Guidance

        58. For Guidance

        O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

      • 59. For Quiet Confidence
      • 60. For Protection
      • 61. A Prayer of Self-Dedication
      • 62. A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
    • Other Prayers
    • Prayers for the Sick
    • Prayers for use by a Sick Person
  • Thanksgivings
The General Thanksgiving

BCP p. 101/125

lmighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-
kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you for our creation,
preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;

but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;

for the means of grace,
and for the hope of glory.

And,
we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,

not only with our lips,
but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,

and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom,
with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages.
Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

BCP p. 102/126

lmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.Ephesians 3:20,21

Sponsored by Forward Movement.