Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
Morning and Evening Prayer
FIRST ORDER
1The Sentence of the Day or one of the following may be read.
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.
Revelation 4.11
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4.24
2A hymn may be sung.
3The minister reads one or more of these, or other suitable sentences of Scripture.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Psalm 51.9
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Joel 2.13
To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
Daniel 9.9–10
The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe in the gospel.
Mark 1.15
I will go to my father, and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Luke 15.18–19
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1.8–9
4The minister continues
Dear friends, the Scriptures urge us to acknowledge our sins, and not to conceal them from God our heavenly Father, but to confess them with a penitent and obedient heart, so that we may be forgiven through his infinite goodness and mercy.
We ought always to admit our sins before God, and especially when we come together to give thanks for the good things we have received at his hands, to offer the praise that is his due, to hear his holy word, and to ask what is necessary for the body as well as the soul.
Therefore, let us draw near to the throne of our gracious God, as we pray:
5All kneel for a general Confession.
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep,
we have followed too much
the devices and desires of our own hearts,
we have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone what we ought to have done,
and we have done what we ought not to have done.
Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us;
restore those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant, most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may live godly, righteous and sober lives
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
6The priest stands to pronounce the Absolution.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has no pleasure in the death of sinners, but would rather they should turn from their wickedness and live.
He has given authority to his ministers to declare to his people who repent the forgiveness of sins.
God pardons all who truly repent and believe his holy gospel.
And so we ask him to grant us true repentance, and his holy Spirit, that what we do now may please him, and that the rest of our lives may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
The minister may read one of these sentences of Scripture.
If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the perfect offering for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2.1–2
In this is love, not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son
to be the perfect offering for our sins.
1 John 4.10
Except on Sundays, when the Introduction is used, the service may begin here.
7 Open our lips, O Lord;
and we shall declare your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
All stand.
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
Let us praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Morning Prayer continues on page 6.
Evening Prayer continues on page 9.
8Psalm 95 (Venite)
O come, let us sing out to the Lord:
let us shout in triumph to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his face with thanksgiving:
and cry out to him joyfully in psalms.
For the Lord is a great God:
and a great king above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth:
and the peaks of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his and he made it:
his hands moulded dry land.
Come, let us worship and bow down:
and kneel before the Lord our maker.
For he is the Lord our God:
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Today if only you would hear his voice:
‘Do not harden your hearts as Israel did in the wilderness;
‘When your forebears tested me:
put me to proof though they had seen my works.
‘Forty years long I loathed that generation and said:
“It is a people who err in their hearts,
for they do not know my ways”;
‘Of whom I swore in my wrath:
“They shall not enter my rest.”’
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
Or in Eastertide, the Hymn to the Risen Christ
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us:
so let us celebrate the feast,
Not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness:
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Christ once raised from the dead dies no more:
death has no more dominion over him.
In dying he died to sin once for all:
in living he lives to God.
See yourselves therefore as dead to sin:
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ has been raised from the dead:
the firstfruits of those who sleep.
For as by one man came death:
by another has come also resurrection of the dead;
For as in Adam all die:
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
9The Psalm(s) of the day
After the last psalm
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
10The first Reading, from the Old Testament, is announced by the name of the book, the number of the chapter, and ‘beginning at verse…’
After the reading, the reader says ‘Here ends the first reading’.
11The Song of the Church (Te Deum) or a similar hymn of praise
We praise you, O God:
we acclaim you as the Lord.
All creation worships you:
the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven:
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might:
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you:
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you:
Throughout the world, the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded:
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Lord Christ, are the King of glory:
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free:
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death:
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory:
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood:
and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
The Song may end here, or continue
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance:
Govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you:
We praise your name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin:
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy:
for we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope:
let us never be put to shame.
12The second Reading, from the New Testament
After the reading, the reader says ‘Here ends the second reading’.
Morning Prayer continues on page 10.
9aThe Psalm(s) of the day
After the last psalm
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
10aThe first Reading, from the Old Testament, is announced by the name of the book, the number of the chapter, and ‘beginning at verse…’
After the reading, the reader says ‘Here ends the first reading’.
11aThe Song of Mary (Magnificat) or a similar hymn
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord:
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
Who has looked with favour on his lowly servant:
from this day all generations will call me blessed;
The Almighty has done great things for me:
and holy is his name.
God has mercy on those who fear him:
from generation to generation.
The Lord has shown strength with his arm:
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones:
and lifting up the lowly.
God has filled the hungry with good things:
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel:
to remember the promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears:
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
12aThe second Reading, from the New Testament
After the reading, the reader says ‘Here ends the second reading’.
The service continues on page 11.
13The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus) or a similar hymn
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel:
who has come to his people and set them free.
The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Saviour:
born of the house of his servant David.
Through the holy prophets, God promised of old:
to save us from our enemies, from the hands of
all who hate us,
To show mercy to our forebears:
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear:
holy and righteous before him, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High:
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation:
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God:
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and
the shadow of death:
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
The service continues on page 12.
13aThe Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) or a similar hymn
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation:
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the nations:
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
The service continues on page 12.
14The Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
15The Prayers
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
All kneel.
The Litany may replace these prayers when appropriate.
16 Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Our 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.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Lord, show us your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Keep our nation under your care,
and guide us in justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness,
and make your chosen people joyful.
Lord, save your people,
and bless your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for you are our help and strength.
Create in us clean hearts, O God,
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
17The Collect of the Day
18The Collect for Peace
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; defend your servants in all assaults of our enemies, that, surely trusting in your defence, we may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
19Morning Collect
Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for bringing us safely to this day: keep us by your mighty power, and grant that we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but lead and govern us in all things, that we may always do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
Evening Collect
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray: and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
20An anthem or hymn may be sung.
21Prayers are offered for those in authority, for the Church and for all people. The following, or other appropriate prayers, may be used.
A Prayer for all in Authority
Almighty God, fountain of all goodness,
we humbly pray you to bless our sovereign lady,
Queen Elizabeth, and all who govern us:
may all things be ordered in wisdom,
righteousness, and peace,
to the honour of your holy name,
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
Lord God almighty, ruler of the nations of the earth,
give wisdom to the Prime Minister of Australia (N)
[and the Premier of this State (N)],
to the members of Parliament (especially N)
and to all who hold office in this land.
Grant that their decisions may be based on wise counsel,
so that peace and welfare,
truth and justice may prevail among us,
and make us a blessing to other nations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Church
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your Spirit of saving grace on all Christian people.
Bless our bishops, clergy and congregations:
pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing
that they may truly please you.
Grant this, for the honour of Jesus Christ
our advocate and mediator. Amen.
A Prayer for all People
God of providence, God of love, we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power among all nations.
We pray for the welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and govern it by your Spirit, so that all who call themselves Christians may be led in the way of truth and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed in body, mind or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance from their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
A concluding prayer from the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
Lord, you have given us grace to agree in these our prayers, and you have promised that when two or three ask together in your name you will grant their requests. Fulfil now, Lord, our desires and prayers as may be best for us. Grant us, in this life, knowledge of your truth and in the age to come, life eternal. Amen.
A general thanksgiving
Almighty God and merciful Father,
we give you hearty thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us
and to all people.
We bless you for our creation and preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all, for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ,
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such a sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be truly thankful
and that we may praise you
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
serving you in holiness and righteousness all our days,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.
Notes
1 Instead of the Absolution at ¶ 6, the minister may declare God’s forgiveness using the form in Morning and Evening Prayer (Second Order) ¶ 7, on page 21.
2 When the hymn Song of the Church (Te Deum) is used in Morning Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed may be omitted.
3 A sermon may be preached during or after the service.
4 The gifts of the congregation may be received and placed on the Holy Table.