Morning Prayer Service (my abridgement)

(In the comments of this post, Sarah asked for this abridgement, taken from the Book of Common Prayer. The Scripture passages are the ones we're including daily right now, but I plan to rotate passages that I want the kids to be very familiar with.

The leader is in italics; everyone says the words in bold type. )


Lord, open our lips.

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 forever. Amen.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

(wait a moment while everyone has the chance to search their heart before God)

Most 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.

Seek the Lord while He wills to be found; call upon Him when He draws near. Let the wicked forsake their ways, and the evil ones their thoughts. And let them turn to the Lord, and He will have compassion, and to our God, for He will richly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-9)

(Other readings or a teaching may be inserted here.)

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

O God, King eternal: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Individual prayers are offered at this time, out loud.)

Let us say together:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.