Introduction to Morning Prayer
The Anglican practice of saying daily morning and evening prayer derives from the pre-Reformation canonical hours, of which seven were said in churches and by clergy daily: Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline. This tradition developed from the earliest centuries of Christianity, and ultimately from the pre-Christian hours of prayer observed in the Jewish temple.
Morning Prayer is a short service (20 mins) which includes the key elements of praise, prayer and engagement with Scripture. There are set words and patterns of reading that link with the church calendar. Using common language and texts unites those taking part as one large community of prayer. As the Church of England explains on its website
“This community extends to all of those who, through the ages and across the nations, have sought to do as Jesus taught us and pray together for the hallowing of God’s name and the coming of God’s kingdom.”
Morning Prayer has been a regular part of my devotional practice during my two years of training. I initially found the practice difficult, but it soon became a habit, and now I value it greatly.
When I pray the Office, I know I’m never alone. I join thousands and thousands of other Christians praying the same prayers and reading the same Scriptures. The set prayers, which I once thought constricting, enable me to focus fully on God at a time of day when my brain has not quite woken up, and I am easily distracted. The readings take me to parts of the Bible that I may otherwise ignore. Sometimes I am challenged by what I hear, and at other times, I am comforted. Often, the words wash over me, and I find peace in simply listening to their sound.
Now I have joined the All Saints community, I am trying to keep up the discipline. A small group of us have been getting together on Zoom for Morning Prayer. We meet on Monday’s and Friday’s at 8:00am. Whether you are a veteran of this type of prayer or looking to try something new, you are most welcome to join us. It is a great way to start and finish the week and helps us to stay connected.
If you would like a zoom invitation, please email me curate.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com. Once you have the code, you are welcome to join the meeting as and when you wish.
Love and prayers
