The Midday Office

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;* sing praises to his Name, for it is lovely.

Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you,* when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.

You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praises you. The noble fellowship of prophets praises you. The white-robed army of martyrs praises you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free, you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

But it is good for me to be near God;* I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

Since the practice of virtue and the observance of the commandments form part of prayer, those who pray as well as work at the tasks they have to do, and combine their prayer with suitable activity, will be "praying always." This is the only way in which it is possible never to stop praying.

But it is good for me to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

Come and listen, all you who fear God,* and I will tell you what he has done for me. I called out to him with my mouth,* and his praise was on my tongue. If I had found evil in my heart,* the LORD would not have heard me; But in truth God has heard me;* he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer,* nor withheld his love from me.

But it is good for me to be near God;* I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

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.

Holy Father, creator and sustaining wisdom of all that is, both in heaven and on earth, take from me those thoughts, actions and objects that are hurtful. Give me instead those things that are profitable for me and all who seek rightly to praise you. I ask this grace in the company of all believers and through the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is, with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept my prayers, and strengthen me to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.