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 61
O God, hear my cry! Listen to my prayer! From the end of the earth I call: my heart is faint. On the rock too high for me to reach set me on high, O you who have been my refuge, my tower against the foe. Let me dwell in your tent for ever and hide in the shelter of your wings. For you, O God, hear my prayer, grant me the heritage of those who fear you. May you lengthen the life of the king: may his years cover many generations. May he sit ever enthroned before God: bid love and truth be his protection. So I will always praise your name and day after day fulfill my vows.
Reading: From a sermon by St. Bernard
In the beginning was the Word. The spring was gushing forth, yet still within himself. Indeed, the Word was with God, truly dwelling in inaccessible light. And the Lord said from the beginning: I think thoughts of peace and not of affliction. Yet your thought was locked within you, and whatever you thought, we did not know; for who knew the mind of the Lord, or who was his counselor? And so the idea of peace came down to do the work of peace: The Word was made flesh and even now dwells among us. It is by faith that he dwells in our hearts, in our memory, our intellect and penetrates even into our imagination. What concept could man have of God if he did not first fashion an image of him in his heart? By nature incomprehensible and inaccessible, he was invisible and unthinkable, but now he wished to be understood, to be seen and thought of.
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
Help us to pray well, Come, Lord Jesus! Help us to imitate your life, Come, Lord Jesus! Help us to stay united in love, Come, Lord Jesus!
Heavenly Father, Every good and perfect gift comes from you. Help us to use them wisely so that one day with Mary and all the angels and saints we may praise you and your only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit forever. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
