The Divine Hours

A form of prayer at specified times to be used by individuals or groups. The Divine Hours includes morning, midday, vespers (evening) and compline (before retiring) offices, having roots in the biblical tradition. By default The Divine Hours below is displayed (Printer Friendly | Baby Boomer | iPhone version) based on Eastern Standard Time, U.S. however, you can now localize The Divine Hours...

You may find it helpful to read the introduction by the author, Phyllis Tickle.

The Night Office

To Be Observed Before Retiring

The Call to Prayer
May the Lord Almighty grant me and those I love a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.†

The Request for Presence
Our help is in the Name of the Lord; the maker of heaven and earth.

The Greeting
Almighty God, my heavenly Father: I have sinned against you, through my own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, in what I have done and what I have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me all my offenses; and grant that I may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.†

The Reading To His Last Breath

The brethren asked Abba Agathon: "Amongst all our different activities, father, which is the virtue that requires the greatest effort?" He answered: "Forgive me, but I think there is no labor greater than praying to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies the demons try to prevent him; for they know that nothing obstructs them so much as prayer to God. In everything else that a man undertakes, if he perseveres, he will attain rest, but in order to pray a man must struggle to his last breath."

Sayings of the Desert Fathers

The Gloria
Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Psalm You Have Granted Me the Heritage of Those Who Fear Your Name

Hear my cry, O God,* and listen to my prayer. I call upon you from the ends of the earth* with heaviness in my heart; set me upon the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge,* a strong tower against the enemy. I will dwell in your house for ever;* I will take refuge under the cover of your wings. For you, O God, have heard my vows;* you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your Name.

Psalm 61:1-5

The Gloria
Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Small Verse
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings.†

The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and 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 yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Petition
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. †

The Final Thanksgiving
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. 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.

Be sure to check out Phyllis Responds, answers to questions about The Divine Hours.

Buy The Divine Hours from Amazon.com The Divine Hours © Copyright 2003-2004 Phyllis Tickle www.phyllistickle.com

The Divine Hours are reprinted here with permission of Doubleday and Phyllis Tickle. Not for distribution without permission from the author.

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The Divine Hours

The Night Office

To Be Observed Before Retiring

A form of prayer at specified times to be used by individuals or groups. The Divine Hours includes morning, midday, vespers (evening) and compline (before retiring) offices, having roots in the biblical tradition. By default The Divine Hours below is displayed (Printer Friendly \| Baby Boomer \| iPhone version) based on Eastern Standard Time, U.S. however, you can now localize The Divine Hours... You may find it helpful to read the introduction by the author, Phyllis Tickle.

The Night Office	To Be Observed Before Retiring

The Call to Prayer May the Lord Almighty grant me and those I love a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.†

The Request for Presence Our help is in the Name of the Lord; the maker of heaven and earth.

The Greeting Almighty God, my heavenly Father: I have sinned against you, through my own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, in what I have done and what I have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me all my offenses; and grant that I may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.†

The Reading	To His Last Breath
The brethren asked Abba Agathon: "Amongst all our different activities, father, which is the virtue that requires the greatest effort?" He answered: "Forgive me, but I think there is no labor greater than praying to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies the demons try to prevent him; for they know that nothing obstructs them so much as prayer to God. In everything else that a man undertakes, if he perseveres, he will attain rest, but in order to pray a man must struggle to his last breath."
Sayings of the Desert Fathers
The Gloria Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Psalm	You Have Granted Me the Heritage of Those Who Fear Your Name
Hear my cry, O God,* and listen to my prayer. I call upon you from the ends of the earth* with heaviness in my heart; set me upon the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge,* a strong tower against the enemy. I will dwell in your house for ever;* I will take refuge under the cover of your wings. For you, O God, have heard my vows;* you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your Name.
Psalm 61:1-5
The Gloria Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Small Verse Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings.†

The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and 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 yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Petition Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. †

The Final Thanksgiving 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. 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.




Be sure to check out Phyllis Responds, answers to questions about The Divine Hours.
Buy The Divine Hours from Amazon.com	The Divine Hours © Copyright 2003-2004 Phyllis Tickle www.phyllistickle.com The Divine Hours are reprinted here with permission of Doubleday and Phyllis Tickle. Not for distribution without permission from the author.