Morning Prayer (Matins) in Contemporary Language

Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
AllBlessed be God for ever.

after Lancelot Andrewes (1626)

or a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Blessing

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever.
AllAmen.

The Word of God

Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm 78.1-39*

Refrain: O Lord, how glorious are your works.

1 Hear my teaching, O my people; ♦
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable; ♦
I will pour forth mysteries from of old,

3 Such as we have heard and known, ♦
which our forebears have told us.

4 We will not hide from their children,
but will recount to generations to come, ♦
the praises of the Lord and his power
and the wonderful works he has done. R

5 He laid a solemn charge on Jacob
and made it a law in Israel, ♦
which he commanded them to teach their children,

6 That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn, ♦
that they in turn might tell it to their children;

7 So that they might put their trust in God ♦
and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments,

8 And not be like their forebears,
a stubborn and rebellious generation, ♦
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
and whose spirit was not faithful to God.  R

9 The people of Ephraim, armed with the bow, ♦
turned back in the day of battle;

10 They did not keep the covenant of God ♦
and refused to walk in his law;

11 They forgot what he had done ♦
and the wonders he had shown them.

12 For he did marvellous things in the sight of their forebears, ♦
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. R

13 He divided the sea and let them pass through; ♦
he made the waters stand still in a heap.

14 He led them with a cloud by day ♦
and all the night through with a blaze of fire.

15 He split the hard rocks in the wilderness ♦
and gave them drink as from the great deep.

16 He brought streams out of the rock ♦
and made water gush out like rivers. R

17 Yet for all this they sinned more against him ♦
and defied the Most High in the wilderness.

18 They tested God in their hearts ♦
and demanded food for their craving.

19 They spoke against God and said, ♦
‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

20 ‘He struck the rock indeed, so that the waters gushed out
and the streams overflowed, ♦
but can he give bread or provide meat for his people?’ R

21 When the Lord heard this, he was full of wrath; ♦
a fire was kindled against Jacob
and his anger went out against Israel,

22 For they had no faith in God ♦
and put no trust in his saving help.

23 So he commanded the clouds above ♦
and opened the doors of heaven.

24 He rained down upon them manna to eat ♦
and gave them the grain of heaven.

25 So mortals ate the bread of angels; ♦
he sent them food in plenty. R

26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens ♦
and led out the south wind by his might.

27 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust ♦
and winged fowl like the sand of the sea.

28 He let it fall in the midst of their camp ♦
and round about their tents.

29 So they ate and were well filled, ♦
for he gave them what they desired.

30 But they did not stop their craving; ♦
their food was still in their mouths,

31 When the anger of God rose against them, ♦
and slew their strongest men
and felled the flower of Israel. R

32 But for all this, they sinned yet more ♦
and put no faith in his wonderful works.

33 So he brought their days to an end like a breath ♦
and their years in sudden terror.

34 Whenever he slew them, they would seek him; ♦
they would repent and earnestly search for God.

35 They remembered that God was their rock ♦
and the Most High God their redeemer. R

36 Yet they did but flatter him with their mouth ♦
and dissembled with their tongue.

37 Their heart was not steadfast towards him, ♦
neither were they faithful to his covenant.

38 But he was so merciful that he forgave their misdeeds
and did not destroy them; ♦
many a time he turned back his wrath
and did not suffer his whole displeasure to be roused.

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh, ♦
a wind that passes by and does not return.

Refrain: O Lord, how glorious are your works.

God our deliverer,
as you led our ancestors through the wilderness,
so lead us through the wilderness of this world,
that we may be saved through Christ for ever.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

1 Maccabees 2.1-28

In those days Mattathias son of John son of Simeon, a priest of the family of Joarib, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modein. He had five sons, John surnamed Gaddi, Simon called Thassi, Judas called Maccabeus, Eleazar called Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus. He saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem, and said,
‘Alas! Why was I born to see this,
   the ruin of my people, the ruin of the holy city,
and to live there when it was given over to the enemy,
   the sanctuary given over to aliens?
Her temple has become like a person without honour;
   her glorious vessels have been carried into exile.
Her infants have been killed in her streets,
   her youths by the sword of the foe.
What nation has not inherited her palaces
   and has not seized her spoils?
All her adornment has been taken away;
   no longer free, she has become a slave.
And see, our holy place, our beauty,
   and our glory have been laid waste;
the Gentiles have profaned them.
   Why should we live any longer?’

Then Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly.

The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: ‘You are a leader, honoured and great in this town, and supported by sons and brothers. Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the people of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the Friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honoured with silver and gold and many gifts.’

But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: ‘Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to obey his commandments, everyone of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors, I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors. Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.’

When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, according to the king’s command. When Mattathias saw it, he burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him on the altar. At the same time he killed the king’s officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he burned with zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu.

Then Mattathias cried out in the town with a loud voice, saying: ‘Let everyone who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!’ Then he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town.

or 2 Chronicles 13.1 - 14.1

Canticle

A Song of the Covenant, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 44 (page 596), may be said

Refrain:

AllI have given you as a light to the nations,
and I have called you in righteousness. Alleluia.

1Thus says God, who created the heavens, ♦
who fashioned the earth and all that dwells in it;

2Who gives breath to the people upon it ♦
and spirit to those who walk in it,

3 ‘I am the Lord and I have called you in righteousness, ♦
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

4 ‘I have given you as a covenant to the people, ♦
a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind,

5‘To bring out the captives from the dungeon, ♦
from the prison, those who sit in darkness.

6‘I am the Lord, that is my name; ♦
my glory I give to no other.’

Isaiah 42.5-8a

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllI have given you as a light to the nations,
and I have called you in righteousness. Alleluia.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

Mark 14.43-52

Immediately, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ All of them deserted him and fled.

A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
AllFear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned.
AllI have called you by name; you are mine.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
AllFear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

from Isaiah 43

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said,
or Gloria in Excelsis (A Song of God's Glory) (page 635) may be said

Refrain

AllYou promised, O God, to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all that hate us.

1Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, ♦
who has come to his people and set them free.

2He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, ♦
born of the house of his servant David.

3Through his holy prophets God promised of old ♦
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all that hate us,

4To show mercy to our ancestors, ♦
and to remember his holy covenant.

5This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: ♦
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6Free to worship him without fear, ♦
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.

7And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, ♦
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8To give his people knowledge of salvation ♦
by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9In the tender compassion of our God ♦
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, ♦
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

Refrain

AllYou promised, O God, to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all that hate us.

Prayers

Intercessions are offered
¶ for the day and its tasks
¶ for the world and its needs
¶ for the Church and her life

Prayers may include the following concerns from the cycle on pages 362–363

¶ Local government, community leaders
¶ All who provide local services
¶ Those who work with young or elderly people
¶ Schools, colleges and universities
¶ Emergency and rescue organizations

One of the forms of prayer found on pages 362–371 may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer

(or)

Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day is said

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
AllAmen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

AllOur Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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 the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

AllOur Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Conclusion

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.
AllAmen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
AllThanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.