Midday Prayer

Before stepping into this time of prayer, a brief note on the format may be helpful.

• The service is preceded by two quotes: one from Scripture and the other from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together. These quotes help us imagine what these words meant to our earliest brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Biblical texts are based on The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles), while non-biblical texts are usually based on Praying Together (Copyright © 1988 by English Language Liturgical Consultation). Using my rather limited knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, I compared each text to other well-known translations, and selected the words that seemed to best grasp the form and function of the original. I thank you in advance for pointing out and forgiving my errors.
• A text with indentation can be read or sung as a call and response where the left-aligned lines “call” and the indented lines “respond.” If you’re praying by yourself, say the calling lines quieter or in a whisper in order to emphasize the response. And always read or sing slow enough for your heart to keep up.
• A text that is flush with the left margin is meant to be read or sung in unison. Where possible, drop the four-part harmony and sing just the main melody.
• Words that are clearly not in English are Latin translations of the first words of the text, except for a few texts that are known by their Greek titles instead (labeled “Gk.”). Where a text is also known name by another name, I’ve included this in parentheses.
• At the end of the series, I’ll also give some pointers on what to do with the opportunities for Scripture Readings noted in each prayer.

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  And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
~ Acts 2:42 ESV ~

At the height of the day the church invokes the triune God in praise of God’s wonders and in prayer for help and speedy redemption. At midday the heavens were darkened above the cross of Jesus [Jn 19:14; Mt 27:35]. The work of atonement was approaching its completion. Where a community of Christians living together is able to be together at this hour for a brief daily worship time of song and prayer, it will not do so in vain.
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, ch. 2 ~

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Psalm 70:1
O God, come to my assistance;
    O Lord, make haste to help me.


Te Deum Laudamus (or “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”)
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
all the earth worships you,
the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
“Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.”

The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy church acclaims you:
“Father, of majesty unbounded,
your only Son, worthy and true,
the Holy Spirit, our Helper.”

You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became human to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your servants,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and number us with your saints
in glory everlasting.


Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions. 
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin! 

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me. 
Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
that you may be justified in your words
    and may overcome when you are judged.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me. 
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward parts,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 
Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 
Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you. 
Deliver me from the bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 
O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise. 
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
    build up the walls of Jerusalem; 
then will you delight in sacrifices of righteousness,
    in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.


Gloria Patri (Minor Doxology)
Glory 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.


Scripture Reading


Kyrie Eléison (Gk.; repeat each line three times)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.


The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.


Personal Petitions