Hearts on Fire presents this guide as a resource for your daily prayer practices.
This particular guide was originally developed by Pathways, a ministry of The Upper Room, which has a Daily Devotional page on its website. This adaptation of the traditional Daily Office provides an opportunity to link with other Christians around the world in a spirit of unbroken prayer for the needs of the world.
Each day you might use one scripture for all three times of prayer. This allows a spirit of living into the text throughout the day. Visit our Links page for other spiritual resources. Or perhaps you will wish to find your own listing of daily lectionary texts. A number of versions are available. The Episcopal Church provides an on-line daily list of readings. You may also wish to substitute different Psalms from the daily lectionary for use in the daily prayer services. Weekly artwork is available from Vanderbilt University.
Morning Prayer
“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.”
—Psalm 5:3
Gathering and Silence
Call to Praise and Prayer
God said: Let there be light; and there was light.
And God saw that the light was good.
Psalm (63:2-6)
God, my God, you I crave;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body aches for you
like a dry and weary land.
Let me gaze on you in your temple:
a Vision of strength and glory
Your love is better than life,
my speech is full of praise.
I give you a lifetime of worship,
my hands raised in your name.
I feast at a rich table
my lips sing of your glory.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We praise you with joy, loving God, for your grace is better than life itself. You have sustained us through the darkness: and you bless us with life in this new day. In the shadow of your wings we sing for joy and bless your
holy name. Amen. Scripture reading
Silence
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer (ecumenical text)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Blessing
May the light of your mercy shine brightly on all who walk in your presence today, O LORD.
Midday Prayer
“I will extol the LORD at all times;
God’s praise will always be on my lips.”
Gathering and Silence
Call to Praise and Prayer
O LORD, my Savior, teach me your ways.
My hope is in you all day long.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of mercy, this midday moment of rest
is your welcome gift.
Bless the work we have begun,
make good its defects,
and let us finish it in a way that pleases you.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Silence
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer (ecumenical text)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Blessing
Strong is the love embracing us, faithful the LORD from morning to night.
Evening Prayer
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from God.”
Psalm 62:1
Gathering and Silence
Call to Praise and Prayer
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
let the name of the LORD be praised.
Psalm 134
Bless the Lord,
all who serve in God’s house,
who stand watch
throughout the night.
Lift up your hands
in the holy place
and bless the Lord.
And may God,
the maker of earth and sky,
bless you from Zion.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Sovereign God, You have been our help during the day and you promise to be with us at night. Receive this prayer as a sign of our trust in you. Save us from all evil, keep us from all harm, and guide us in your way. We belong to you, Lord. Protect us by the power of your name, in Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Silence
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer (ecumenical text)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Blessing
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we hope in you.
Yearly Cycle of Prayer
January
Week 1 for new beginnings
Week 2 for spiritual seekers
Week 3 for reconciliation among diverse peoples
Week 4 for all who need clothing, food or shelter
February
Week 1 for the oppressed—and the oppressors
Week 2 for weather and seasons
Week 3 for prisoners and their loved ones
Week 4 for leaders of nations
March
Week 1 for all people of prayer
Week 2 for renewed commitment to Christ
Week 3 for missionaries and their communities
Week 4 for art, music, sports
April
Week 1 for holy humor
Week 2 for clarity amid confusion
Week 3 for victims—and perpetrators—of violence
Week 4 for healing of all creation
May
Week 1 for church committees, conferences, councils
Week 2 for mothers and other women of nurture
Week 3 for the Spirit of God to guide us
Week 4 for memories of those loved and lost
June
Week 1 for those graduation—and those left behind
Week 2 for fathers and other men of nurture
Week 3 for marriages, old and new
Week 4 for Vacation Bible Schools and summer camps
July
Week 1 for responsible expressions of freedom
Week 2 for endangered species
Week 3 for farmers, migrant workers, truckers and grocers
Week 4 for all who travel and all who provide hospitality
August
Week 1 for peacemakers everywhere
Week 2 for pets and other creatures of God
Week 3 for life-giving water
Week 4 for students, teachers and school officials
September
Week 1 for all who labor under heavy burdens
Week 2 for grandparents and “wise elders”
Week 3 for health care providers
Week 4 for persons with whom we disagree
October
Week 1 for the sacraments and those who receive them
Week 2 for all children, especially those who feel unloved
Week 3 for positive relationships among coworkers
Week 4 for bountiful harvests everywhere
November
Week 1 for saints and martyrs
Week 2 for public servants and veterans
Week 3 for the Scriptures and inspirational writings
Week 4 for and “attitude of gratitude”—all year round
December
Week 1 for hope
Week 2 for peace
Week 3 for joy
Week 4 for celebrations of God-With-Us