Happy Monday! I’m praying that your week is already off to a great start and just keeps getting better. 😇
Both this week and next I want to draw your attention to a different hour of The Divine Office, also referred to as The Daily Office, each day. If you are unfamiliar with this terminology, or the practice of pausing to pray and read Scripture at set times throughout the day, then you are not alone. Many Protestants, like myself, have never even heard of this practice let alone observed it. In fact, it wasn’t until over a decade ago while doing my doctoral work at Northeastern Seminary that I first learned about it. I then stayed at The Abbey of the Genesee in 2012 for my initial experience of practicing it. And though I don’t even attempt to observe them all on a consist basis, outside of when actually staying at The Abbey, even observing one in the Morning and one in the Evening helps me draw closer to The Lord by facilitating a rhythm of contemplation throughout each day. It is for that reason that I would like to share a bit here because I have found it to be a a very beneficIal part of my personal devotional life and you may find the same to be true for you.
There are what are determined to be Major Hours and minor hours and, depending on your tradition, some may observe all or only a few. The hours I will be sharing about are as follows:
- Vigils (during the night, at about 2 a.m.)
- Lauds (at dawn, at about 5 a.m.)
- Prime (early morning, at about 6 a.m.)
- Terce (mid-morning, at about 9 a.m.)
- Sext (midday, at about 12 p.m.)
- None (mid-afternoon, at about 3 p.m.)
- Vespers (evening, at about 6 p.m.)
- Compline (before bed, at about 7 p.m.)
Every morning I will share about the purpose of one of the hours and will provide a hymn, chorus, Psalm, or prayer that you can use as part of your own personal praxis. Unlike the more traditional observation of the hours I will sometimes add contemporary prayers and songs into the mix. For example, let’s start the week off by praying together the…
“PRAYER FOR THE WORKPLACE” by Anonymous
Dear Heavenly Father,
As I enter my workplace today, I invite you to join me so that everyone here will sense your presence. I give you this day and ask you to work through me by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May I convey your peace, just as I am aware of your comforting proximity at all times. Fill me with Your grace, mercy, and power to serve you and others in this place.
Lord Jesus, I want you to be glorified in my life and in this place of business. I pray you will be Lord over everything that is said and done here.
God, I thank you for the numerous blessings and
gifts you have given me. May I bring honor to your name and spread joy to others.
Holy Spirit, help me to depend on you wholly today. Renew my strength. Fill me with physical and spiritual energy so that I will be the best employee I can be. Give me eyes of faith to see from a heavenly perspective as I do my job.
Lord, guide me with your wisdom. Help me to work through every challenge and conflict. Let me be a beacon for you and a blessing to my coworkers.
My prayer is to be a living witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.“
Refill with Randy 