Friday, July 31
The Morning Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.


The Call to Prayer
Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands;* serve the LORD with gladness and come before his presence with a song.
Psalm 100:1–2

The Request for Presence
Turn to me and have mercy upon me;* give your strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid.
Psalm 86:16


The Greeting

O LORD, what are we that you should care for us?* mere mortals that you should think of us? We are like a puff of wind;* our days are like a passing shadow.
Psalm 144:3–4

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Blessed be the Lord day by day,* the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.
Psalm 68:19

A Reading

Jesus taught us, saying: ‘Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
Matthew 11:28

The Refrain

Blessed be the Lord day by day,* the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.

The Morning Psalm

In the Shadow of Your Wings Will I Take My Refuge

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for I have taken refuge in you;* in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge until the time of trouble has gone by. I will call upon the Most High God,* the God who maintains my cause. He will send from heaven and save me; he will confound those who trample upon me;* God will send forth his love and his faithfulness. I lie in the midst of lions that devour the people;* their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword. They have laid a net for my feet, and I am bowed low;* they have dug a pit before me, but have fallen into it themselves.
Psalm 57:1–5

The Refrain

Blessed be the Lord day by day,* the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.

The Cry of the Church

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, grant me your peace.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon all your faithful people your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.†