Friday 31 December 2021
7th day within the octave of Christmas
Afternoon Prayer (None)
Introduction (without Invitatory)
If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, use the version with the Invitatory Psalm instead.
O God, come to our aid.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
________
Hymn
Eternal Father, loving God,
Who made us from the dust of earth,
Transform us by the Spirit’s grace,
Give value to our little worth.
Prepare us for that day of days
When Christ from heaven will come with might
To call us out of dust again,
Our bodies glorified in light.
O Godhead, here untouched, unseen,
All things created bear your trace;
The seed of glory sown in man
Will flower when we see your face.
Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal
________
PSALMS OF THE DAY
________
Psalm 118(119): 25-32
Meditating the word of the Lord in the Law
“He said, on coming into the world: Here I am! I am coming to obey your will ” (Heb 10:5,7)
My eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the presence of all the peoples.
My soul lies in the dust;
by your word revive me.
I declared my ways and you answered;
teach me your statutes.
Make me grasp the way of your precepts
and I will muse on your wonders.
My soul pines away with grief;
by your word raise me up.
Keep me from the way of error
and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of truth
with your decrees before me.
I bind myself to do your will;
Lord, do not disappoint me.
I will run the way of your commands;
you give freedom to my heart.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
________
Psalm 25 (26)
Trustful prayer of an innocent man
“God has chosen us in Christ, that we may be holy and unstained” (Eph 1:4).
Give judgement for me, O Lord:
for I walk the path of perfection.
I trust in the Lord; I have not wavered.
Examine me, Lord, and try me;
O test my heart and my mind,
for your love is before my eyes
and I walk according to your truth.
I never take my place with liars
and with hypocrites I shall not go.
I hate the evil-doer’s company:
I will not take my place with the wicked.
To prove my innocence I wash my hands
and take my place around your altar,
singing a song of thanksgiving,
proclaiming all your wonders.
O Lord, I love the house where you dwell,
the place where your glory abides.
Do not sweep me away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men
in whose hands are evil plots,
whose right hands are filled with gold.
As for me, I walk the path of perfection.
Redeem me and show me your mercy.
My foot stands on level ground:
I will bless the Lord in the assembly.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
________
Psalm 27 (28)
Supplication and thanksgiving
“Father, I give you thanks, since you have heard me” (Jn 11:41).
To you, O Lord, I call,
my rock, hear me.
If you do not heed I shall become
like those in the grave.
Hear the voice of my pleading
as I call for help,
as I lift up my hands in prayer
to your holy place.
Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with the evil-doers,
who speak words of peace to their neighbours
but with evil in their hearts.
Blessed be the Lord for he has heard
my cry, my appeal.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts.
I was helped, my heart rejoices
and I praise him with my song.
The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress where his anointed find help.
Save your people; bless Israel your heritage.
Be their shepherd and carry them for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
My eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the presence of all the peoples.
Psalm-prayer
You are the strength of the people, Father. Save us from the pit of death and unite us as one in your holy temple, so that we may attain in our hearts the peace our tongues proclaim.
Or:
You heard your Son, Lord, when he stretched out his hands to you on the cross. He did not become like those who go into the pit, but the Son you begot before the daystar arose from the dead before dawn. Strengthen your people to offer you thanks for the many works you have done.
________
Short Reading
Isaiah 65:1
I was ready to be approached by those who did not consult me, ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘I am here, I am here’, to a nation that did not invoke my name.
________
℣. Mercy and faithfulness have met, alleluia.
℟. Justice and peace have embraced, alleluia.
________
Let us pray.
All-powerful, ever-living God,
we thank you for the human birth of your Son,
which is the source and perfection of our Christian life and worship.
Number us among his people,
for the salvation of all mankind is found in him,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
________
Let us praise the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd. All rights reserved.