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7.23am on Friday 28 November 2025

Morning Prayer (Matins) in Traditional Language

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   Morning Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Friday, 28 November 2025
  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 132

  
 

  
1
 Lord, remember David *
 and all his trouble;
  
 
  
2
 How he sware unto the Lord *
 and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob;
  
 
  
3
 I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house *
 nor climb up into my bed;
  
 
  
4
 I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eye-lids to slumber *
 neither the temples of my head to take any rest;
  
 
  
5
 Until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord *
 an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
  
 
  
6
 Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata *
 and found it in the wood.
  
 
  
7
 We will go into his tabernacle *
 and fall low on our knees before his footstool.
  
 
  
8
 Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place *
 thou, and the ark of thy strength.
  
 
  
9
 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness *
 and let thy saints sing with joyfulness.
  
 
  
10
 For thy servant David’s sake *
 turn not away the presence of thine Anointed.
  
 
  
11
 The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David *
 and he shall not shrink from it;
  
 
  
12
 Of the fruit of thy body *
 shall I set upon thy seat.
  
 
  
13
 If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall learn them *
 their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore.
  
 
  
14
 For the Lord hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for himself *
 he hath longed for her.
  
 
  
15
 This shall be my rest for ever *
 here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.
  
 
  
16
 I will bless her victuals with increase *
 and will satisfy her poor with bread.
  
 
  
17
 I will deck her priests with health *
 and her saints shall rejoice and sing.
  
 
  
18
 There shall I make the horn of David to flourish *
 I have ordained a lantern for mine Anointed.
  
 
  
19
 As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame *
 but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
  
 

Psalm 133

  
 

  
1
 Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is *
 brethren, to dwell together in unity !
  
 
  
2
 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard *
 even unto Aaron’s beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing.
  
 
  
3
 Like as the dew of Hermon *
 which fell upon the hill of Sion.
  
 
  
4
 For there the Lord promised his blessing *
 and life for evermore.
  
 

Psalm 134

  
 

  
1
 Behold now, praise the Lord *
 all ye servants of the Lord;
  
 
  
2
 Ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord *
 even in the courts of the house of our God.
  
 
  
3
 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary *
 and praise the Lord.
  
 
  
4
 The Lord that made heaven and earth *
 give thee blessing out of Sion.
  
 

Psalm 135

  
 

  
1
 O praise the Lord, laud ye the Name of the Lord *
 praise it, O ye servants of the Lord;
  
 
  
2
 Ye that stand in the house of the Lord *
 in the courts of the house of our God.
  
 
  
3
 O praise the Lord, for the Lord is gracious *
 O sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely.
  
 
  
4
 For why? the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself *
 and Israel for his own possession.
  
 
  
5
 For I know that the Lord is great *
 and that our Lord is above all gods.
  
 
  
6
 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth *
 and in the sea, and in all deep places.
  
 
  
7
 He bringeth forth the clouds from the ends of the world *
 and sendeth forth lightnings with the rain, bringing the winds out of his treasures.
  
 
  
8
 He smote the first-born of Egypt *
 both of man and beast.
  
 
  
9
 He hath sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O thou land of Egypt *
 upon Pharaoh, and all his servants.
  
 
  
10
 He smote divers nations *
 and slew mighty kings;
  
 
  
11
 Sehon king of the Amorites, and Og the king of Basan *
 and all the kingdoms of Canaan;
  
 
  
12
 And gave their land to be an heritage *
 even an heritage unto Israel his people.
  
 
  
13
 Thy Name, O Lord, endureth for ever *
 so doth thy memorial, O Lord, from one generation to another.
  
 
  
14
 For the Lord will avenge his people *
 and be gracious unto his servants.
  
 
  
15
 As for the images of the heathen, they are but silver and gold *
 the work of men’s hands.
  
 
  
16
 They have mouths, and speak not *
 eyes have they, but they see not.
  
 
  
17
 They have ears, and yet they hear not *
 neither is there any breath in their mouths.
  
 
  
18
 They that make them are like unto them *
 and so are all they that put their trust in them.
  
 
  
19
 Praise the Lord, ye house of Israel *
 praise the Lord, ye house of Aaron.
  
 
  
20
 Praise the Lord, ye house of Levi *
 ye that fear the Lord, praise the Lord.
  
 
  
21
 Praised be the Lord out of Sion *
 who dwelleth at Jerusalem.
  
 
   
  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: Isaiah 22.1-14

The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
 Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
 All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far.
 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
 For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
 Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
 And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
 And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
 And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts.

   
  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: Matthew 11.2-19

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

   
  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  
     
    Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; 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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