Said or sung all together except for the sentences marked ‘Call’ which are for the Leader only.
+ indicates that you may make the sign of the cross.
ff
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
ff
Opening sentences
My soul waits for the Lord
more than those
who watch for the morning,
more than those
who watch for the morning.
ff
Call: Out of the depths I have cried to You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: With my whole heart I want to praise You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: If you, Lord, should mark iniquities:
Response: Who could stand? who could stand?
ff
I will wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in His word do I hope.
ff
Expressions of faith
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.
ff
Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.
ff
Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.
ff
Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.
ff
Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.
ff
Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.
ff
Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.
ff

Today’s Scripture Reading

23 April

Psalm 4:1-4 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. How long, you people, shall my honour suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent.

Isaiah 40:15-17  Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as dust on the scales; see, he takes up the isles like fine dust. Lebanon would not provide fuel enough, nor are its animals enough for a burnt-offering. All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

These Scripture readings relate to the Finan readings in Celtic Daily Prayer 1.

Today’s Meditation

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please You
does in fact please You.
And I hope that I have that desire
in all that I am doing.

And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust You always,
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death,
I will not fear, for You are ever with me,
and will never leave me
to face my perils alone.

Thomas Merton

 

Prayers for others

ff
Canticle
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
ff
The Lord is my light, my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
ff
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
One thing I ask of the Lord,
one thing I seek;
to dwell in the presence of my God,
to gaze on Your holy place.
ff
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
ff
I believe I shall see the goodness
of the Lord in the land of the living.
O wait for the Lord!
Have courage and wait,
wait for the Lord.
ff
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
ff
Blessing
See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
ff

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

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