A Deep Dive into the Morning Prayer
A time-honored tradition in many Christian denominations, particularly the Anglican, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic churches, the Daily Office is a set of prescribed prayers recited at specific hours throughout the day. At Church Encourager, we encourage you to explore the prayers in the Daily Office. One such pivotal prayer is the Morning Prayer (or Matins or Lauds), designed to start the day with purpose and devotion. The intent behind the Morning Prayer, much like the entire Daily Office, is to sanctify the day to God, commencing every action and thought in the context of divine grace.
The Morning Prayer begins with a quiet moment of self-examination, typically accompanied by a short prayer of confession, which allows participants to acknowledge their shortcomings and seek God’s forgiveness. This humility sets the stage for the prayer service, fostering an atmosphere of honesty and vulnerability.
Following the confession is the Invitatory and Psalter. The Invitatory is a call to worship God, often including recitation of the Venite or Jubilate, traditional hymns of praise. The Psalter, a central part of the Morning Prayer, is a collection of psalms sung or read responsively. These psalms are believed to be the songs and prayers of ancient Israel. They invoke divine intervention and express gratitude, praise, lament, and supplication.
The Lessons and Canticles come next, during which passages from the Bible are read aloud, often punctuated by a canticle or spiritual song. Usually, there’s a reading from the Old Testament, followed by a psalm, then a lesson from the New Testament, again followed by a canticle. These readings and songs allow individuals to reflect upon God’s word and connect it to their daily lives.
After the readings, the Morning Prayer moves into the Prayers and Collects. This section includes the Lord’s Prayer, Suffrages (short intercessory prayers), and a series of collects (prayers suited for the church season or the day of the week). This section is vital as it involves praying for oneself and others, fostering community and shared faith.
The service usually concludes with a final prayer and a blessing, sealing the day’s sanctity. Though seemingly structured, the Morning Prayer leaves ample room for personal devotions and reflection, allowing participants to imbue the service with personal meanings and intentions. Despite the differences in liturgical customs across various Christian traditions, the underlying philosophy of the Morning Prayer in the Daily Office remains consistent: to start the day rooted in God’s word, committed to living in a manner pleasing to Him. Whether observed in a community setting or solitude, the Morning Prayer is an opportunity to connect with the divine, drawing strength and wisdom for the day ahead.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
