Daily Prayer (Presbyterian Book of Common Worship)

Rev. Bill Pinches

Daily prayers for morning, noon, evening, and the close of the day, drawn from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer Edition, prepared by the Office of Theology and Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Daily prayer has been a way of life and practice of faith for the people of God for millennia, from the psalmists of ancient Israel through the saints of the Christian Church. These services for daily prayer are designed to help you join that great cloud of witnesses - seeking the way of God in your life and the will of God for the world. The patterns provided here are a simplified, streamlined version of the ancient daily office, a tradition with origins in the Jewish temple and monastic life.

The service for morning prayer includes a reading from the New Testament, readings from the Psalms, and a canticle such as the Benedictus (Song of Zechariah, Luke 1:68-79).

The service for midday prayer includes a reading from the Old Testament, readings from the Psalms, and a time of silent prayer.

The service for evening prayer includes thanksgiving for light (candles are appropriate), a reading from the Gospel, readings from the Psalms, and a canticle such as the Magnificat (Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55).

The service for night prayer (or prayer at the close of the day) includes a prayer of confession, readings from the Psalms, and a canticle such as the Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon, Luke 2:29-32).

All four services include the Lord's Prayer. I have elected to rotate through three different versions of that prayer.

The scripture readings incorporated in the four daily services walk through the entire New Testament in one year, and most of the Old Testament in two.

All scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version, except for the Psalms and canticles, which are from the beautiful translation in the Book of Common Worship.

All the prayers and readings are thematically tied to the special days and seasons of the Christian year.

The 2018 Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer Edition is available for purchase online. This podcast highlights one of several different ways the resource could be used. You do not need a copy of the book to pray along with this podcast.

I heartily believe that a discipline of daily prayer is a fruitful way to deepen and enrich your faith and life in Christ, and I fervently hope and pray that this podcast will help you do just that.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26)

Rev. Bill Pinches, Pastor, Presbyterian Church (USA)
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Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality
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Amen. Come, Holy Spirit!
29-05-2023
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit!
The final episode of this podcast, simply containing one of my favorite prayers and one of my favorite passages of Scripture.The prayer comes from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. The Scripture passage is from  the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.

Episodes

Amen. Come, Holy Spirit!
29-05-2023
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit!
The final episode of this podcast, simply containing one of my favorite prayers and one of my favorite passages of Scripture.The prayer comes from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. The Scripture passage is from  the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.
May 28, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
28-05-2023
May 28, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
Prayer at the Close of Day for Sunday, May 28, 2023PentecostOpening SentencesPrayer of ConfessionPsalm 23Brief Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4PrayerThe Lord's Prayer (silent)Canticle: Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis; Luke 2:29-32)DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from  the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.
May 28, 2023 Evening Prayer
28-05-2023
May 28, 2023 Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer for Sunday, May 28, 2023PentecostOpening SentencesHymn to Christ the Light (Phos Hilaron)Thanksgiving for LightPsalm 141Psalm 139Gospel: John 14:21-29Canticle: Canticle for Pentecost (John 14:16; 16:13a; 14:26; Acts 2:2, 4a; Romans 8:26; Joel 2:28)Prayer of the Day: Day of PentecostLitany for PentecostThanksgiving and IntercessionCollectThe Lord's Prayer ("sins")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
How to Use the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer Edition On Your Own
28-05-2023
How to Use the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer Edition On Your Own
How to Use the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer Edition On Your OwnYou will need a copy of The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press, ISBN 978-0-664-50352-9.  You can purchase it online at www.pcusastore.com or at various other online bookstores.Contents of this episode:(The time stamps indicated here are approximate and may vary somewhat depending on which platform you are using.)0:00 - Introductory Comments2:15 - The Church Calendar and the Two-Year Daily Lectionary8:10 - Three Different Psalm Cycles10:25 - The Calendar of Commemorations12:20 - Introduction to Morning, Midday, Evening, and Night Prayer13:50 - Morning Prayer22:10 - Midday Prayer28:20 - Interlude: The Book of Confessions and the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer App30:25 - Evening Prayer34:30 - Night Prayer (Prayer at the Close of Day)36:00 - Seasonal Variations: Introduction36:30 - Seasonal Variations: Advent38:50 - Seasonal Variations: Christmas (including Epiphany)40:15 - Seasonal Variations: The Time after Epiphany (including Baptism of the Lord and Transfiguration of the Lord)41:20 - Seasonal Variations: Lent (including Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Holy Week)41:45 - Seasonal Variations: Easter (including Ascension of the Lord and the Day of Pentecost)42:10 - Seasonal Variations: The Time after Pentecost (including Trinity Sunday, All Saints' Day, and Christ the King)43:35 - The Vigil of the Resurrection45:15 - Concluding Comments
May 28, 2023 Midday Prayer
28-05-2023
May 28, 2023 Midday Prayer
Midday Prayer for Sunday, May 28, 2023PentecostOpening SentencesApocrypha: Sirach 24:1-34Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-9Confession: The Nicene CreedLitany: Glory to GodPrayerThe Lord's Prayer ("debts")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. The Confessions are from The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part I: The Book of Confessions, published by the Office of the General Assembly, copyright (c) 2016.  "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay. An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 28, 2023 Morning Prayer
28-05-2023
May 28, 2023 Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer for Sunday, May 28, 2023PentecostOpening SentencesMorning Psalm: Psalm 63:1-8Thanksgiving for BaptismPsalm 51New Testament: 1 Corinthians 2:1-13Canticle: God's Chosen One (Isaiah 11:1-4, 6, 9)Canticle: The Spirit of the Lord (Isaiah 61:1-3, 10, 11)Prayer of the Day: Day of PentecostLitany for PentecostThanksgiving and IntercessionCollectThe Lord's Prayer ("trespasses")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 27, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
27-05-2023
May 27, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
Prayer at the Close of Day for Saturday, May 27, 2023Eve of PentecostOpening SentencesPrayer of ConfessionPsalm 4Brief Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4PrayerThe Lord's Prayer (silent)Canticle: Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis; Luke 2:29-32)DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from  the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.
May 27, 2023 Evening Prayer
27-05-2023
May 27, 2023 Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer for Saturday, May 27, 2023Eve of PentecostOpening SentencesHymn to Christ the Light (Phos Hilaron)Thanksgiving for LightPsalm 141Psalm 35Gospel: Luke 11:14-23Old Testament: Exodus 19:3-8a, 16-20New Testament: 1 Peter 2:4-10Canticle: Canticle of the Redeemed (Revelation 15:3-4)Thanksgiving and IntercessionCollectThe Lord's Prayer ("sins")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 27, 2023 Vigil of the Resurrection
27-05-2023
May 27, 2023 Vigil of the Resurrection
Vigil of the ResurrectionSaturday, May 27, 2023Opening SentencesEvening Hymn: Phos Hilaron (Hymn to Christ the Light)Thanksgiving for LightPsalm 118:1-4, 14-21Psalm 150Resurrection Gospel: John 20:19-31Thanksgiving for BaptismCanticle: Canticle of Miriam and Moses (Exodus 15:1, 2, 11, 13, 17-18)PrayerDismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.
May 27, 2023 Midday Prayer
27-05-2023
May 27, 2023 Midday Prayer
Midday Prayer for Saturday, May 27, 2023Seventh Saturday of EasterOpening SentencesApocrypha: Sirach 23:16-27Old Testament: Ezekiel 43:1-12Ancient or Classic Prayer: Gregorian Sacramentery (10th century)Prayer for Various Occasions: After a SuicidePrayerThe Lord's Prayer ("debts")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. The Confessions are from The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part I: The Book of Confessions, published by the Office of the General Assembly, copyright (c) 2016.  "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay. An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 27, 2023 Morning Prayer
27-05-2023
May 27, 2023 Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer for Saturday, May 27, 2023Seventh Saturday of EasterOpening SentencesMorning Psalm: Psalm 100Thanksgiving for BaptismPsalm 5New Testament: Hebrews 9:1-14Canticle: Canticle of David (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)Litany for EasterThanksgiving and IntercessionCollectThe Lord's Prayer ("trespasses")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 26, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
26-05-2023
May 26, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
Prayer at the Close of Day for Friday, May 26, 2023Seventh Friday of EasterOpening SentencesPrayer of ConfessionPsalm 139Brief Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4PrayerThe Lord's Prayer (silent)Canticle: Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis; Luke 2:29-32)DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from  the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.
May 26, 2023 Evening Prayer
26-05-2023
May 26, 2023 Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer for Friday, May 26, 2023Seventh Friday of EasterOpening SentencesHymn to Christ the Light (Phos Hilaron)Thanksgiving for LightPsalm 141Psalm 6Psalm 62Gospel: Luke 10:38-42Canticle: Canticle to the Lamb (Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 12, 13)Thanksgiving and IntercessionCollectThe Lord's Prayer ("sins")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 26, 2023 Midday Prayer
26-05-2023
May 26, 2023 Midday Prayer
Midday Prayer for Friday, May 26, 2023Seventh Friday of EasterOpening SentencesApocrypha: Sirach 23:7-15Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:17-31Ancient or Classic Prayer: Based on the Liturgy of St. Mark (2nd century)Prayer for Various Occasions: For World ReligionsPrayerThe Lord's Prayer ("debts")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. The Confessions are from The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part I: The Book of Confessions, published by the Office of the General Assembly, copyright (c) 2016.  "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay. An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 26, 2023 Morning Prayer
26-05-2023
May 26, 2023 Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer for Friday, May 26, 2023Seventh Friday of EasterOpening SentencesMorning Psalm: Psalm 95:1-7Thanksgiving for BaptismPsalm 50New Testament: Hebrews 8:1-13Canticle: Canticle of Miriam and Moses (Exodus 15:1, 2, 11, 13, 17-18)Litany for EasterThanksgiving and IntercessionCollectThe Lord's Prayer ("trespasses")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 25, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
25-05-2023
May 25, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
Prayer at the Close of Day for Thursday, May 25, 2023Seventh Thursday of EasterOpening SentencesPrayer of ConfessionPsalm 134Brief Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4PrayerThe Lord's Prayer (silent)Canticle: Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis; Luke 2:29-32)DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from  the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.
May 25, 2023 Evening Prayer
25-05-2023
May 25, 2023 Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer for Thursday, May 25, 2023Seventh Thursday of EasterOpening SentencesHymn to Christ the Light (Phos Hilaron)Thanksgiving for LightPsalm 141Psalm 27Gospel: Luke 10:25-37Canticle: Canticle of Mary (Magnificat; Luke 1:46-55)Thanksgiving and IntercessionCollectThe Lord's Prayer ("sins")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 25, 2023 Midday Prayer
25-05-2023
May 25, 2023 Midday Prayer
Midday Prayer for Thursday, May 25, 2023Seventh Thursday of EasterOpening SentencesApocrypha: Sirach 22:27 - 23:6Old Testament: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32Ancient or Classic Prayer: Based on a Prayer of Patrick of Ireland (c. 389-461)Prayer for Various Occasions: For GraduatesPrayerThe Lord's Prayer ("debts")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. The Confessions are from The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part I: The Book of Confessions, published by the Office of the General Assembly, copyright (c) 2016.  "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay. An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 25, 2023 Morning Prayer
25-05-2023
May 25, 2023 Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer for Thursday, May 25, 2023Seventh Thursday of EasterOpening SentencesMorning Psalm: Psalm 51:1-12Thanksgiving for BaptismPsalm 47Psalm 59New Testament: Hebrews 7:18-28Canticle: Glory to God (Gloria in Excelsis)Litany for EasterThanksgiving and IntercessionCollectThe Lord's Prayer ("trespasses")DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from the New Revised Standard - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.An introduction to Daily Prayer is available here.
May 24, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
24-05-2023
May 24, 2023 Prayer at the Close of Day
Prayer at the Close of Day for Wednesday, May 24, 2023Seventh Wednesday of EasterOpening SentencesPrayer of ConfessionPsalm 130Brief Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4PrayerThe Lord's Prayer (silent)Canticle: Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis; Luke 2:29-32)DismissalThis service is adapted from The Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, copyright (c) 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. Scripture quotations (except the Psalms and Canticles) are from  the New Revised Standard Version - Updated Edition, copyright (c) 2021 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. "Aleluya" music by JosepMonter from Pixabay. Candle image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.