7th Week-Day Evening
96—O Merciful Lord God, heavenly Father, whether we sleep or wake, live or die, we are always Thine. Wherefore we beseech Thee heartily that Thou wilt vouchsafe to take care and charge of us, and not suffer us to perish in the works of darkness, but to kindle the light of Thy countenance in our hearts; that Thy Godly knowledge may daily increase in us through a right and pure faith, and that we may always be found to walk and live after Thy will and pleasure. The Primer
97—Dedication
O God, my protector, enlighten, I beseech Thee, my inward eyes, that I consent not to sin; strengthen all my powers, that I may overcome mine enemies. Lord, subject all my senses and all my members to my spirit, in order to serve Thee alone. Cleanse Thou my heart, inflame my spirit, enlighten my understanding, collect my thoughts, unite all my powers, and bind them together with the chain of Thy love and the fetters of Thy fear, so that nevermore may I be estranged from Thee, but that, ever subject and united to Thee, I may cleave unto Thee and faint not, but rather fear, and love, and thank, and praise, and bless Thee now and for ever. John Tauler
98—Inward Peace
O Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation nor shadow of turning, Who abidest steadfast as the stars of heaven: give us grace to rest upon Thy eternal changelessness, and in Thy faithfulness find peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. G. W. Briggs
99—Evening
Preserve me, Lord, while I am waking, and defend me while I am sleeping, that my soul may continually watch for Thee, and both body and soul may rest in Thy peace for ever. Bishop Cosin
8th Week-Day Morning
100—Dedication
Grant, O Lord, that I may be so ravished in the wonder and love of Thee that I may forget myself and all things; may feel neither prosperity nor adversity; may not fear to suffer all the pain in the world rather than be parted and pulled away from Thee. O let me find Thee more inwardly and verily present with me than I am with myself; and make me most circumspect how I do use myself in the presence of Thee, my holy Lord. Lord, I desire nothing neither in myself nor in any creature, save only to know and execute Thy blessed will; saying alway in my heart, Lord, what wouldst Thou have me to do? Transform my will into Thine. Robert Leighton
101—The Way, The Truth, The Life
Lord Jesu Christ, Who hast said that Thou art the Way, the Truth, and the Life: we pray Thee suffer us not at any time to stray from Thee, Who art the Way; nor ever to distrust Thy promises, Who art the Truth; nor to rest in any other thing than Thee, Who art the Life; for Thou hast taught us what to believe, what to do, what to hope, and wherein to rest. Erasmus
102—The Likeness Of Love
O blessed Jesus, Who knowest the impurity of our affection, the narrowness of our sympathy, and the coldness of our love, take possession of our souls and fill our minds with the image of Thyself; break the stubbornness of our selfish wills and mould us in the likeness of Thine unchanging love, O Thou Who only could, our Saviour, our Lord and our God. William Temple
103—To God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; to the eternal Son, that was incarnate and born of a Virgin; to the Spirit of the Father and the Son; be all honour and glory, worship, and thanksgiving, now and for ever. Jeremy Taylor
8th Week-Day Evening
104—Bible-Reading
O Holy and eternal Jesus, Who hast begotten us by Thy Word, renewed us by Thy Spirit, fed us by Thy sacraments, and by the daily ministry of Thy Word; still go on to build us up to life eternal. Let Thy most Holy Spirit be present with me, and rest upon me in reading or hearing Thy sacred Word, that I may do it humbly, reverently, without prejudice, with a mind ready and desirous to learn, and to obey, that I may be readily furnished and instructed to every good work, and may practice all Thy holy laws and commandments, to the glory of Thy Name. Jeremy Taylor
105—Love Of God
Lord, give me what Thou wiliest, only deny me not Thyself; let me not possess Thee less, love Thee less, than, if faithful, I should have loved Thee; be it that here I must be a wreck of myself; but bind me up, remake me, that I contain not for ever less of Thee and of Thy love. Edward Bouverie Pusey
106—The Inward Christ
O God, Who madest me for Thyself, to show forth Thy goodness in me: manifest, I humbly beseech Thee, the life-giving power of Thy holy nature within me; help me to such a true and living faith in Thee, such strength of hunger and thirst after the birth, life, and spirit of Thy holy Jesus in my soul, that all that is within me, may be turned from every inward thought or outward work that is not Thee, Thy holy Jesus, and heavenly working in my soul. William Law
107—Unto Him Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of Lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, Whom no man bath seen, nor can see: be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15–16
9th Week-Day Morning
108—O God, Who dividest day from night, give us hearts and minds unshadowed by the gloom of evil; that we may think continually upon things that are good and wholesome, and be always pleasing in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Gelasian Sacramentary
109—Invocation
O Eternal God, the fountain of wisdom and the giver of grace, Who didst send Thy Spirit to dwell with our fathers and to guide them into the way of truth: grant to us in our difficulties and dangers that we also may be guided by the light and power of the same Spirit, to know Thy mind and to do Thy will, for the glory of Thy Name and the enlightenment of Thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Arthur W. Robinson
110—Sympathy
Blessed Lord, Who for our sakes wast content to sorrow, and want, and death, grant unto us such a measure of Thy Spirit that we may follow Thee in all self-denial and tenderness of soul. Help us, by Thy great love, to succour the afflicted, to relieve the needy and destitute, to comfort the feeble-minded, to share the burdens of the heavy laden, and ever to see Thee in all that are poor and desolate. Bishop Westcott
111—Thanksgiving
O Thou, Who art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and on Whom the eyes of all do wait, Who crownest the year with Thy goodness, and openest Thine hand and finest all things living with plenteousness: every day we give thanks unto Thee, and praise Thy Name for ever and ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. W. A. Knight
9th Week-Day Evening
112—Evening
O Lord Jesus Christ, our watchman and keeper, take us to Thy care: grant that, our bodies sleeping, our minds may watch in Thee, and be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heavenly life, wherein Thou art the King and Prince, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, where Thy angels and holy souls be most happy citizens. O purify our souls, keep clean our bodies, that in both we may please Thee, sleeping and waking, for ever. Elizabethan
113—Invocation
O Most Holy Spirit of God, from Whom alone floweth the fullness of wisdom and life: come in Thine everlasting power and glory, we beseech Thee, upon Thy Church and into the hearts of men; to bring to the world a new birth of holiness, new interpretations of truth, and new unity in love; in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Who with the Father and Thee liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. E. Milner-White
114—Enlightenment
O God, Who by Thine Almighty Word dost enlighten every man that cometh into the world: enlighten, we beseech Thee, the hearts of us Thy servants by the glory of Thy grace, that we may ever think such things as are worthy and well-pleasing to Thy Majesty, and love Thee with a perfect heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Alcuin
115—To God the Father, Who first loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved: to God the Son, Who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own Blood: to God the Holy Ghost, Who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: be all love and glory for time and for eternity. Thomas Ken
10th Week-Day Morning
116—Morning
O Heavenly Father, in Whom we live and move and have our being, we humbly pray Thee so to guide and govern us by Thy Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our daily life we may never forget Thee, and remember that we are ever walking in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
117—Thanksgiving
It is meet and right to worship the Father, the Son, and I the Holy Spirit, Trinity of one substance and undivided: it is meet and right to hymn Thee, to bless Thee, to praise Thee, to give thanks to Thee, to worship Thee, ever being and being the same, Thee, and Thine only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit. For Thou art God, ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, being ever and being the same, Thou and Thine only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit. Thou didst bring us into being out of nothing, and when we had fallen Thou didst raise us up again, and didst leave nothing undone till Thou hadst led us up to heaven, and didst bestow upon us Thy kingdom that shall come. For all these things we give thanks to Thee, and to Thine only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit, for all things that we know and know not, for Thy benefits manifest and hidden, which Thou hast freely given to us. Liturgy of St. Chrysostom
118—Service
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. St. Ignatius of Loyola
119—God’s Protection
The Lord enrich us with His grace, and further us with His heavenly blessing; the Lord defend us in adversity and keep us from all evil; the Lord receive our prayers, and graciously absolve us from our offences. Gregorian Sacramentary
10th Week-Day Evening
120—Bible-Reading
Take away, O Lord, the veil of my heart while I read the Scriptures. Blessed art Thou, O Lord: O teach me Thy statutes: give me a word, O Word of the Father: touch my heart: enlighten the understandings of my heart: open my lips and fill them with my praise. Be Thou, O Lord, in my spirit and in my mouth: in my mouth that lawfully and worthily I may show forth Thine oracles by the hallowing power of Thy thrice Holy Spirit. Lancelot Andrewes
121—The Goal Of Service
Enlighten Thy people, O Lord, and inflame their hearts with Thy love: that they may daily follow Thy steps, as Thou commandest, and at last behold Thee face to face in heaven where Thou art; Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, world without end. Frederick B. Macnutt
122—Evening: Thanksgiving
Most gracious, Almighty God, Thou preserver of men, what shall I do unto Thee? What shall I render unto my Lord for all the mercies and loving-kindnesses showed unto Thy servant this day, and all the days of my life hitherto? I will offer unto Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will ever love Thee, fear Thee, praise Thee, and trust in Thee. My song shall be of Thee in the night-season, and in the daytime I will be speaking of Thy wondrous works, Thy most merciful and liberal arm; I will make Thee my delight in the house of my pilgrimage, and I shall always with all my strength, with all my heart, and with all my soul, ascribe unto Thee all glory, wisdom, majesty, dominion, and honour, this day and for evermore. Henry Vaughan
123—Ascription
Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee, O Holy One, glory to Thee, O King! St. Chrysostom
11th Week-Day Morning
124—Invocation
O Holy Spirit, Who abhorrest all uncleanness and rejoicest and delightest to dwell in pure and innocent hearts: I beseech Thee by Thy mercies that, as I owe to Thy loving-kindness this glorious treasure which I carry in an earthen vessel, so I may keep it safe by Thy goodness, and daily pleasing Thee more and more with undefiled soul and body, may come to that life which knows no corruption, in which Thou livest and reignest with the Father and the Son. Elizabethan
125—Inward Peace
O Thou Lover of mankind, send down into our hearts that peace which the world cannot give, and give us peace in this world. O King of Peace, keep us in love and charity; be our God, for we have none other beside Thee; grant unto our souls the life of righteousness, that the death of sin may not prevail against us, or against any of Thy people. W. F. Hook
126—Enlightenment
We beseech Thee, Lord Jesus, to enlighten us Thy people and set our hearts aflame with the fire of Thy love: that we may ever acknowledge Thee as our Saviour and inwardly behold Thee as our Lord; Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end.
127—Brotherly Love
Almighty and most merciful God, Who hast given us a new commandment that we should love one another, give us also grace that we may fulfill it. Make us gentle, courteous, and forbearing. Direct our lives so that we may look to the good of others in word and deed. And hallow all our friendships by the blessing of Thy Spirit; for His sake Who loved us and gave Himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Bishop Westcott
11th Week-Day Evening
128—Before Study
O God, Who hast ordained that whatever is to be desired, should be sought by labour, and Who, by Thy blessing, bringest honest labour to good effect; look with mercy upon my studies and endeavours. Grant me, O Lord, to design only what is lawful and right; and afford me calmness of mind, and steadiness of purpose, that I may so do Thy will in this short life, as to obtain happiness in the world to come; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Dr. Johnson
129—Heroic Love
O Jesus, Master and Lord, pour into our hearts Thine own heroic love, that being filled with love we may know the love which passeth knowledge, and live in the unknown power of love to win men to trust in love, to the glory of God Who is Love. William Temple
130—Night
To my weariness, O Lord, vouchsafe Thou rest, to my exhaustion renew Thou strength. Lighten mine eyes that I sleep not in death. Deliver me from the terror by night, the pestilence that walketh in darkness. Supply me with healthy sleep, that I may pass through this night without fear. O Keeper of Israel, Who neither slumberest nor sleepest, guard me this night from all evil, guard my soul, O Lord. Shelter me with the wing of Thy pity; awaken me at the fitting time, the time of prayer; and give me to seek Thee early, for Thy glory, and for Thy service. Lancelot Andrewes
131—Purity
Eternal God, Who hast taught us by Thy holy Word that our bodies are temples of Thy Spirit, keep us, we most humbly beseech Thee, temperate and holy in thought, word, and deed, that at the last, with all the pure in heart, we may see Thee, and be made like unto Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom. Bishop Westcott
12th Week-Day Morning
132—Dedication
O King of glory and Lord of valours, our warrior and our peace; Who hast said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” be Thou victorious in us Thy servants, for without Thee we can do nothing. Give us both to will and to perform. Grant Thy compassion to go before us, Thy compassion to come behind us: before us in undertaking, behind us in our ending. And what shall I more say, unless that Thy will be done, Who dost will that all men should be saved? Thy will is our salvation, our glory, and our joy. Alcuin
133—Thanksgiving
Praised be God in His power and glory; the Father, Creator of all, from everlasting to everlasting; the Son, our Saviour and Redeemer; the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Comforter. We praise Him, for that He judges the world in righteousness; we praise Him, in that He waits upon us in His eternity; we praise Him, Who will bring to an end all that is temporal; we praise Him, Who will perfect the thing which He has begun. From the German
134—Touching Lives
All through this day, O Lord, may I touch as many lives as Thou wouldst have me touch for Thee; and those whom I touch do Thou with Thy Holy Spirit quicken, whether by the word I speak, the letter I write, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live. Unknown
135—The Holy Trinity
God the Father, Who didst create us: God the Son, Who hast redeemed us: God the Holy Spirit, Who dost sanctify us: bless us and keep us, O Blessed Trinity, in body, soul, and spirit, unto life everlasting. From the German
12th Week-Day Evening
136—For Bible-Reading
Let not Thy Word, O Lord, become a judgement upon us, that we hear it and do it not, that we know it and love it not, that we believe it and obey it not: O Thou, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, world without end. Thomas à Kempis
137—Gifts Of Grace
O Lord, increase in me faith and devotion; replenish my heart with all goodness, and by Thy great mercy keep me in the same. Give me Godly zeal in prayer, true humility in prosperity, perfect patience in adversity, and continual joy in the Holy Ghost; even for Jesus Christ His sake, my only Lord and Saviour. Archbishop Laud
138—Inward Peace
O Lord God, heavenly Father, Who didst give up Thine only-begotten Son into grief and sorrow, that we might have peace through Him: grant us so surely to found our faith upon Him alone that we may have peace in our souls. Quicken us with Thy Word; grant already here on earth the peace which is a foretaste of the rest that remaineth for Thy people. And while the cares and tumults of this life beset us round about, guide us in all our undertakings by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may abide in Thy peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Swedish Liturgy
139—Thanksgiving
We thank Thee, O Lord, for all who have chosen poverty or solitude for Thy sake, for men of prayer, for saints in common life who have borne suffering for noble ends, and for those who have endured pain with patience and purity of life, in the strength of Him Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Unknown
13th Week-Day Morning
140—We give Thee thanks, holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, Who hast been pleased to bring us through the night to the hours of morning: we pray Thee graciously to grant that we may pass this day without sin, so that at eventide we may again give thanks to Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Gelasian Sacramentary
141—The Finding Of Love
O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Word of God, Creator and Redeemer, possess our mind and conscience, our heart and imagination, by Thine indwelling Spirit; that we and all men, being purged of pride, may find and rest in that love which is Thy very self. William Temple
142—Service
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who when on earth wast ever occupied about Thy Father’s business; grant that we may not grow weary in well-doing. Give us grace to do all in Thy Name; be Thou the beginning and the end of all; the pattern Whom we follow, the redeemer in Whom we trust, the master Whom we serve, the friend to Whom we look for sympathy. May we never shrink from our duty through any fear of man; make us faithful unto death: and bring us at last into the eternal presence, where with the Father and the Holy Ghost Thou livest and reignest for ever. Edward Bouverie Pusey
143—Commendation – In Manus Tuas
Into Thy hands I commend my spirit, soul, body: Thou hast created, redeemed, regenerated them, O Lord of truth: and with me all mine and all things mine: Thou hast bestowed them upon me, O Lord, in Thy goodness. Preserve us from all evil, preserve our souls, I beseech Thee, O Lord: keep us from falling and present us faultless before the presence of Thy glory in that day. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be alway acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Lancelot Andrewes
13th Week-Day Evening
144—Day And Night
O Christ, Who art the Keeper of all, let Thy right hand guard and overshadow me by day and by night; when I sit in the house, and when I walk abroad; when I lie down, and when I rise up again, lest at any time I fall; to the glory of Thy Name. St. Nerses
145—Love Of God
My God, I love Thee Thyself above all else, and Thee I desire as my last end. Always and in all things, with my whole heart and strength, and with unceasing labour, I seek Thee. If Thou give not Thyself to me, Thou givest nothing: if I find not Thee, I find nothing. Grant to me, therefore, most loving God, that I may ever love Thee for Thyself above all things and seek Thee in all things in this life present, so that at last I may find Thee and keep Thee for ever in the world to come. Thomas Bradwardine
146—Temporal And Eternal
O Lord Jesus Christ, exalt me with Thee so to know the mystery of life that I may use the earthly as the appointed expression and type of the heavenly; and by using to Thy glory the natural body, I may be fit to be exalted to the use of the spiritual body. Charles Kingsley
147—Benedictus
Blessed be He Who in His love stooped to redeem mankind! Blessed be the King Who made Himself poor to enrich the needy! Blessed be He Who came to fulfill the types and emblems of the prophets! Blessed be He Who made creation rejoice with the wealth and treasure of His Father! Blessed be He Whose glory the dumb sang with hosannas! Blessed be He to Whom little children sang new glory in hymns of praise! Blessed be the new King Who came that new-born babes might glorify Him! Blessed be He unto Whom children brought faltering songs to praise Him among His disciples! Ephraem of Edessa
14th Week-Day Morning
148—Morning
O Almighty God, Who sittest upon the throne, make all things within us new this day. Renew our faith, and hope, and love; renew our wills, that we may serve Thee gladly and watchfully with all our powers; renew our delight in Thy truth and in Thy worship; renew our joy in Thee, our longing that all may know Thee, our desires and labours to serve others. And so take care of us Thy people, who embrace the Cross of Thy Son and desire to walk in the light and power of Thy Spirit, now and evermore. Unknown
149—Dedication
Use me, my Saviour, for whatever purpose and in whatever way Thou mayest require. Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel: fill it with Thy grace. Here is my sinful and troubled soul: quicken it and refresh it with Thy love. Take my heart for Thine abode; my mouth to spread abroad the glory of Thy Name; my love and all my powers for the advancement of Thy believing people; and never suffer the steadfastness and confidence of my faith to abate. Dwight L. Moody
150—Adoration And Thanksgiving
Thou, O God, art praised in Sion and unto Thee shall I the vows be performed. Thou art worthy, O Lord our God the Holy One, to receive glory and honour and power. Thou that hearest the prayer unto Thee shall all flesh come: this withal shall come. But my misdeeds prevail against me: O be thou merciful unto my sins: that I may come to give thanks unto Thee with all Thy works and with Thy holy ones. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips and my mouth shall show Thy praise. Lancelot Andrewes
151—Guidance
Teach me, O my Lord Jesus, instruct me, that I may I learn from Thee what I ought to teach concerning Thee. Archbishop Laud
14th Week-Day Evening
152—Bible-Reading
Grant me of Thy grace, O Christ, I beseech Thee, that Thy good Spirit may lead me in the right way, and remove far from me him who cometh to destroy; that casting away all malice of evil, I may search into the commandments of my God, and with the eyes of my mind awakened go forward faithfully to read and to weigh the marvels of Thy holy law. The Venerable Bede
153—Temporal And Eternal
O Lord our God, Who dost guide those who seek Thee through the vain shows of earth into the knowledge of Thy heavenly reality: let Thy goodness uphold us and Thy right hand lead us, that we may obediently reject the illusions of things temporal and walk without faltering in the light of things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Frederick B. Macnutt
154—Dedication
Lord, Who hast called me with a holy calling; O Word of God, living and active, be Thou quick to discern the thoughts and intents of my heart, that I may not glory save in the Cross, that I may not tire in well-doing, and not wax weary in soul. Lord, I lack wisdom, make me wise, Who ask in faith and doubt neither Thy power nor Thy love; may my inner man be renewed day by day, fashioned after the image of God. And this I pray that love may abound in knowledge and all discernment, to learn to know Thy will and Thee, my God, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding and orderly prudence. Archbishop Benson
155—Blessing and honour and thanksgiving and praise, more than we can utter, more than we can conceive, be unto Thee, O holy and glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, by all angels, by all men, all creatures, for ever and ever. Thomas Ken
15th Week-Day Morning
156—Morning
Into Thy hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves this day. Let Thy presence be with us to its close. Strengthen us to remember that in whatsoever good work we do we are serving Thee. Give us a diligent and watchful spirit, that we may seek in all things to know Thy will, and knowing it, gladly to perform it; to the honour of Thy Name. Unknown
157—Faith, Hope, And Love
Lord, give me faith that tries and tests the things unseen, and assures itself of Thee Who art the truth, that doubt may not overwhelm nor darkness cover me; give me hope, that I may follow the light of Thy sure promises, and lose not the way nor fall into byways; give me love, that I may give Thee myself as Thou givest; for Thou, O Lord God, art the thing that I long for; and Thou art blessedness beyond all thought and heart’s desiring. Frederick B. Macnutt
158—Liberation And Service
O God, Who knowest our hearts and seest our temptations, our struggles, and our deep distress: have pity upon us, and deliver us from the evil that wars against our souls. Thou art all-powerful, and we are weak and sinful; but our hope is in Thee, O faithful and good God. Release us from bondage to evil, and grant that henceforth we may serve Thee in the freedom of Thy holy love. Eugene Bersier
159—Brotherly Love
O God, Who of Thy great love to man didst reconcile earth to heaven through Thine only-begotten Son: grant that we who by the darkness of our sins are turned aside from brotherly love, may be filled with His Spirit shed abroad within us, and embrace our friends in Thee and our enemies for Thy sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Mozarabic
15th Week-Day Evening
160—Dedication
Lord Jesus, All-pure, purify us that we may behold All-holy, sanctify us that we may stand before Thee. All-gracious, mould us that we may please Thee. Very love, suffer us not to set at naught Thy love; suffer not devil, world, flesh, to destroy us; suffer not ourselves to destroy ourselves; us with whom Thou strivest, whom Thou desirest, whom Thou lovest. Christina Rossetti
161—Faith
Almighty God, Who in Thy wisdom hast so ordered our earthly life that we needs must walk by faith and not by sight; grant us such faith in Thee that, amidst all things that pass our understanding, we may believe in Thy fatherly care, and ever be strengthened by the assurance that underneath are the everlasting arms; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Unknown
162—Thanksgiving: For The Church
O God, most glorious, most bountiful, accept, we humbly beseech Thee, our thanksgivings for Thy Holy Catholic Church: for the light of the faith which it has handed on to us, and for the mercies by which Thou hast redeemed, us from the power of sin; for the love which Thou hast shed abroad upon the earth, and for the holy lives in which Thou hast revealed Thyself to mankind. Glory be to Thee, O blessed Trinity; and to Thee be ascribed all honour, might, majesty, and dominion, now and for evermore. Anon.
163—Worship
Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honour and the power: for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they were, and were created. Revelation 4:11
16th Week-Day Morning
164—Dedication
Lord Jesu, I give Thee my body, my soul, my substance, my fame, my friends, my liberty, and my life; dispose of me, and of all that is mine, as it seemeth best to Thee, and to the glory of Thy blessed Name. Be Thou a light unto mine eyes, music to mine ears, sweetness to my taste, and a full contentment to my heart. Be Thou my sunshine in the day, my food at the table, my repose in the night, my clothing in nakedness, and my succour in all necessities. Bishop Cosin
165—Before Undertaking Daily Duties
O Lord, I have a busy world around me; eye, ear, and thought will be needed for all my work to be done in that busy world. Now ere I enter upon it I would commit eye, ear, and thought to Thee. Do Thou bless them and keep their work Thine; such as, through Thy natural laws my heart beats and my blood flows without any thought of mine for them, so my spiritual life may hold on its course at those times when my mind cannot consciously turn to Thee to commit each particular thought to Thy service. Hear my prayer for my dear Redeemer’s sake. Dr. Arnold of Rugby
166—Love And Faith
Lord, I believe in Thee; help Thou mine unbelief. I love Thee, yet not with a perfect heart as I would; I long for Thee, yet not with my full strength; I trust in Thee, yet not with my whole mind. Accept my faith, my love, my longing to know and serve Thee, my trust in Thy power to keep me. What is cold do Thou kindle, what is lacking do Thou make up. I wait Thy blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Malcolm Spencer
167—Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Revelation 7:12
16th Week-Day Evening
168—Bible-Reading
O God, our heavenly Father, Who hast made known unto us through the Gospel the way of redemption for the forgiveness of our sins: grant unto us, we pray Thee, that we may not contemn Thy Word, but receive it from our hearts and put our sole trust in Thy mercy and in the merits of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Lutheran Liturgy
169—Humility
Lord Jesu Christ, Whose whole life was nothing but humility and meekness, Who only art our very righteousness; grant us to serve and honour Thee, with humble and meek hearts, and in all our life and conversation to desire to be occupied in the works of righteousness; which livest and reignest. The Primer
170—God Our Portion
My God, I take Thee for my portion: from mere prudence I turn from the world to Thee; I give up the world for Thee. I renounce that which promises for him who performs. To whom else should I go? I desire to find and feed on Thee here; I desire to feed on Thee, Jesu my Lord, Who art risen, Who hast gone up on high, Who yet remainest with Thy people on earth. I look up to Thee; I look for the living bread which is in heaven, which comes down from heaven: give me ever of this bread. Destroy this life, which will soon perish, even though Thou dost not destroy it; and fill me with that supernatural life which will never die. Cardinal Newman
171—God Our Guardian
May God Almighty direct our days in His peace, and grant us the gifts of His blessing; may He deliver us in all our troubles, and establish our minds in the tranquility of His peace; may He so guide us through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal. Gregorian Sacramentary
17th Week-Day Morning
172—Dedication
Lord, here I am, do with me as seems best in Thine own eyes; only give me, I humbly beseech Thee, a penitent and patient spirit to expect Thee. Make my service acceptable to Thee while I live, and my soul ready for Thee when I die. Archbishop Laud
173—Morning
O Lord, Who hast brought us through the darkness of night to the light of morning, and by Thy Holy Spirit dost lighten the darkness of ignorance and sin: we beseech Thee of Thy loving-kindness to pour Thy holy light into our souls, that we may ever be devoted to Thee, by Whose wisdom we were created, by Whose mercy we were redeemed, and by Whose providence we are governed; to the honour and glory of Thy Name. The Book of Hours