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7.50am on Thursday 24 September 2026

Morning Prayer (Matins) in Traditional Language

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   Morning Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Thursday, 24 September 2026
  The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
  Introduction
   
  The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
   
  The minister introduces the service
     
    Dearly beloved [brethren],
    the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
       and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;
     
    [and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
       the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
    but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
       obedient heart;
    to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
       by his infinite goodness and mercy.
    And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
       our sins before God;
    yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
    when we assemble and meet together
    to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
       received at his hands,
    to set forth his most worthy praise,
    to hear his most holy word,
    and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
    as well for the body as the soul.]
     
    Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
    as many as are here present,
    to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
    unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:
     
    (or)
     
    Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
     
    Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
   
All
   Almighty and most merciful Father,
    we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
    We have followed too much the devices and desires
       of our own hearts.
    We have offended against thy holy laws.
    We have left undone those things
       which we ought to have done;
    and we have done those things
         which we ought not to have done;
    and there is no health in us.
    But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
    Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
    Restore thou them that are penitent;
    according to thy promises declared unto mankind
       in Christ Jesu our Lord.
    And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
    that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
    to the glory of thy holy name.
  Amen.
   
  A priest says
     
    Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    who desireth not the death of a sinner,
    but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
    and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
    to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
    the absolution and remission of their sins:
    he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
       and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
    Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
       and his Holy Spirit,
    that those things may please him which we do at this present;
    and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
    so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
  or other ministers may say
     
    Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
    to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
    that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
    and serve thee with a quiet mind;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
  as we forgive them that 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.
  Morning Prayer
   
  The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
   
  These responses are used
     
    O Lord, open thou our lips
All
   and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
   O Lord, make haste to help us.
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
    and to the Holy Ghost;
All
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Praise ye the Lord.
All
   The Lord's name be praised.
     
Venite, exultemus Domino  
     
1
   O come, let us sing unto the Lord :
    let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
     
2
   Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving :
    and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.
     
3
   For the Lord is a great God :
    and a great King above all gods.
     
4
   In his hand are all the corners of the earth :
    and the strength of the hills is his also.
     
5
   The sea is his, and he made it :
    and his hands prepared the dry land.
     
6
   O come, let us worship, and fall down :
    and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
     
7
   For he is the Lord our God :
    and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
     
[8
   Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts :
    as in the provocation,
         and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness;
     
9
   When your fathers tempted me :
    proved me, and saw my works.
     
10
   Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said :
    It is a people that do err in their hearts,
       for they have not known my ways.
     
11
   Unto whom I sware in my wrath :
    that they should not enter into my rest.]
   
Psalm 95
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
    and to the Holy Ghost;
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
    world without end. Amen.
     
Psalmody  
   

Psalm 116

  
 

  
1
 I am well pleased *
 that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;
  
 
  
2
 That he hath inclined his ear unto me *
 therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
  
 
  
3
 The snares of death compassed me round about *
 and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.
  
 
  
4
 I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord *
 O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
  
 
  
5
 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous *
 yea, our God is merciful.
  
 
  
6
 The Lord preserveth the simple *
 I was in misery, and he helped me.
  
 
  
7
 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul *
 for the Lord hath rewarded thee.
  
 
  
8
 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death *
 mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
  
 
  
9
 I will walk before the Lord *
 in the land of the living.
  
 
  
10
 I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore troubled *
 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
  
 
  
11
 What reward shall I give unto the Lord *
 for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?
  
 
  
12
 I will receive the cup of salvation *
 and call upon the Name of the Lord.
  
 
  
13
 I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people *
 right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
  
 
  
14
 Behold, O Lord, how that I am thy servant *
 I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid; thou hast broken my bonds in sunder.
  
 
  
15
 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
 and will call upon the Name of the Lord.
  
 
  
16
 I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the sight of all his people *
 in the courts of the Lord’s house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
  
 

Psalm 117

  
 

  
1
 O praise the Lord, all ye heathen *
 praise him, all ye nations.
  
 
  
2
 For his merciful kindness is ever more and more towards us *
 and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise the Lord.
  
 

Psalm 118

  
 

  
1
 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
 because his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
2
 Let Israel now confess, that he is gracious *
 and that his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
3
 Let the house of Aaron now confess *
 that his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
4
 Yea, let them now that fear the Lord confess *
 that his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
5
 I called upon the Lord in trouble *
 and the Lord heard me at large.
  
 
  
6
 The Lord is on my side *
 I will not fear what man doeth unto me.
  
 
  
7
 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me *
 therefore shall I see my desire upon mine enemies.
  
 
  
8
 It is better to trust in the Lord *
 than to put any confidence in man.
  
 
  
9
 It is better to trust in the Lord *
 than to put any confidence in princes.
  
 
  
10
 All nations compassed me round about *
 but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
  
 
  
11
 They kept me in on every side, they kept me in, I say, on every side *
 but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
  
 
  
12
 They came about me like bees, and are extinct even as the fire among the thorns *
 for in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them.
  
 
  
13
 Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall *
 but the Lord was my help.
  
 
  
14
 The Lord is my strength, and my song *
 and is become my salvation.
  
 
  
15
 The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous *
 the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.
  
 
  
16
 The right hand of the Lord hath the pre-eminence *
 the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.
  
 
  
17
 I shall not die, but live *
 and declare the works of the Lord.
  
 
  
18
 The Lord hath chastened and corrected me *
 but he hath not given me over unto death.
  
 
  
19
 Open me the gates of righteousness *
 that I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord.
  
 
  
20
 This is the gate of the Lord *
 the righteous shall enter into it.
  
 
  
21
 I will thank thee, for thou hast heard me *
 and art become my salvation.
  
 
  
22
 The same stone which the builders refused *
 is become the head-stone in the corner.
  
 
  
23
 This is the Lord’s doing *
 and it is marvellous in our eyes.
  
 
  
24
 This is the day which the Lord hath made *
 we will rejoice and be glad in it.
  
 
  
25
 Help me now, O Lord *
 O Lord, send us now prosperity.
  
 
  
26
 Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord *
 we have wished you good luck, ye that are of the house of the Lord.
  
 
  
27
 God is the Lord who hath shewed us light *
 bind the sacrifice with cords, yea, even unto the horns of the altar.
  
 
  
28
 Thou art my God, and I will thank thee *
 thou art my God, and I will praise thee.
  
 
  
29
 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
 and his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
   
  At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
   
  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
  and to the Holy Ghost;
  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
  world without end. Amen.
   
  Old Testament Reading  
   

First Reading: 1 Kings 18.1-20

 

And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.

And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly:
 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
 And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
 As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth.
 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the Lord, how I hid an hundred men of the Lord’s prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
 And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.
 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.
 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

   
  Te Deum Laudamus  
   
  Either the Te Deum Laudamus (as follows) or Benedicite, omnia opera is said or sung.
   
  We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
  All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
  To thee all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein.
  To thee cherubin and seraphin continually do cry,
  Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
  Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
  The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
  The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
  The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
  The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee:
  the Father of an infinite majesty;
  thine honourable, true and only Son;
  also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
   
  Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
  Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
  When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
       thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
  When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
       thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
  Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
  We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.
  We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
       whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
  Make them to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting.
   
  O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage.
  Govern them and lift them up for ever.
  Day by day we magnify thee;
  and we worship thy name, ever world without end.
  Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
  O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
  O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee.
  O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
   
  New Testament Reading  
   

Second Reading: Acts 20.17-end

And from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

   
  Benedictus  
   
  Either The Benedictus (as follows) or Jubilate Deo (Psalm 100) is said or sung.
   
 
1
   Blessed be the Lord God of Israel :
  for he hath visited, and redeemed his people;
   
 
2
   And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us :
  in the house of his servant David;
   
 
3
   As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets :
  which have been since the world began;
   
 
4
   That we should be saved from our enemies :
  and from the hands of all that hate us;
   
 
5
   To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers :
      and to remember his holy covenant;
       
 
6
   To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham :
      that he would give us,
       
 
7
   That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies :
      might serve him without fear,
       
 
8
   In holiness and righteousness before him :
      all the days of our life.
       
 
9
   And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest :
      for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
       
 
10
   To give knowledge of salvation unto his people :
      for the remission of their sins;
       
 
11
   Through the tender mercy of our God :
      whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us;
       
 
12
   To give light to them that sit in darkness,
         and in the shadow of death :
      and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
     
Luke 1.68-79
   
  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
  and to the Holy Ghost;
  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
  world without end. Amen.
   
  The Apostles' Creed  
   
All
   I believe in God the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth:
  and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell;
    the third day he rose again from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
    from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost;
    the holy catholic Church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting.
    Amen.
     
  Prayers  
     
    The Lord be with you.
All
   And with thy spirit.
     
    Let us pray.
     
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
All
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
     
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil. Amen.
     
    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All
   And grant us thy salvation.
     
    O Lord, save the King.
All
   And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
     
    Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All
   And make thy chosen people joyful.
     
    O Lord, save thy people.
All
   And bless thine inheritance.
     
    Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All
   Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
  but only thou, O God.
     
    O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All
   And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
     
  Three Collects are said.
     
The Collect of the Day  
     
    O Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
     
     
The Collect for Peace  
     
    O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord,
    in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life,
    whose service is perfect freedom;
    defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies;
    that we, surely trusting in thy defence,
    may not fear the power of any adversaries;
    through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
     
The Collect for Grace  
     
    O Lord, our heavenly Father,
    almighty and everlasting God,
    who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day;
    defend us in the same with thy mighty power;
    and grant that this day we fall into no sin,
    neither run into any kind of danger,
    but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance,
    to do always that is righteous in thy sight;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
     
  The order for the end of the service may include:
     
  hymns or anthems
    a sermon
    further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
     
  This prayer may be used to conclude the service
     
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    and the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
    be with us all evermore.
All
   Amen.
   
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