The Midday Office
To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m
The Call to Prayer
Glory in his holy Name;* let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
— Psalm 105:3
The Request for Presence
Let your compassion come to me, that I may live,* for your law is my delight.
— Psalm 119:77
The Greeting
Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens;* you have done great things;
who is like you, O God?
— Psalm 71:19
The Refrain for the Midday Lessons
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go;* I will guide you
with my eye.
Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding;* who must be fitted
with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you."
— Psalm 32:9-10
A Reading
Once the oppression is past, and the devastation has stopped and those now trampling
on the country have gone away, the throne will be made secure in faithful
love, and on it will sit in constancy within the tent of David a judge seeking fair
judgment and pursuing uprightness.
— Isaiah 16:4b-5
The Refrain
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go;* I will guide you
with my eye.
Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding;* who must be fitted
with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you."
— Psalm 32:9-10
The Midday Psalm
Never Have I Seen the Righteous Forsaken
Our steps are directed by the LORD;* he strengthens those in whose way he
delights.
If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong,* for the LORD holds them by the hand.
I have been young and now I am old,* but never have I seen the righteous
forsaken, . . .
— Psalm 37:24-26
The Refrain
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go;* I will guide you
with my eye.
Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding;* who must be fitted
with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you."
— Psalm 32:9-10
The Cry of the Church
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
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 Prayer Appointed for the Week
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and
prepare the way for our salvation: Grant us grace to heed their warnings and
forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and for ever. Amen.
The Concluding Prayer of the Church
Open, Lord, my eyes that I may see.
Open, Lord, my ears that I may hear.
Open, Lord, my heart and my mind that I may understand.
So shall I turn to you and be healed.
— Traditional