Every day, we will post a few brief prayers inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours.
O Lord, open my lips. And my mouth shall declare your praise.
Psalm 81
Ring out your joy to God our strength, shout in triumph to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and sound the timbrel, the sweet-sounding harp and the lute; blow the trumpet at the new moon, when the moon is full, on our feast. For this is Israel’s law, a command of the God of Jacob. He imposed it as a rule on Joseph, when he went out against the land of Egypt. A voice I did not know said to me: “I freed your shoulder from the burden; your hands were freed from the load. You called in distress and I saved you. I answered, concealed in the storm cloud; at the waters of Meribah I tested you. Listen, my people, to my warning. O Israel, if only you would heed! Let there be no foreign god among you. no worship of an alien god. I am the Lord your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. But my people did not heed my voice and Israel would not obey, so I left them in their stubbornness of heart to follow their own designs. O that my people would heed me, that Israel would walk in my ways! At once I would subdue their foes, turn my hand against their enemies. The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet and their subjection would last for ever. But Israel I would feed with finest wheat and fill them with honey from the rock.”
Reading: From a discourse by St. Athanasius
The likeness of Wisdom has been stamped upon creatures in order that the world may recognize in it the Word who was its maker and through the Word come to know the Father. This is Paul’s teaching: What can be known about God is clear to them, for God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature has been there for the mind to perceive in things that have been made.
The Canticle of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior for he has looked with favor 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.
Intercessions
Protect your Church. Keep us from all harm, Lord! Remain with us always. Keep us from all harm, Lord! Deliver us from the power of the Evil One. Keep us from all harm, Lord!
Dear Father, Make it our joy to praise you for you are worthy of all our praise. We ask this through Jesus your Son in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
