Defend me, O God, and plead my cause.

Ant. 1 Lord, send forth your light and your truth.

Defend me, O God, and plead my cause 
against a godless nation.
From deceitful and cunning men 
rescue me, O God.

Since you, O God, are my stronghold, 
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go mourning 
oppressed by the foe?

O send forth your light and your truth; 
let these be my guide.
Let them bring me to your holy mountain 
to the place where you dwell.

And I will come to the altar of God, 
the God of my joy.
My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, 
O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, my soul, 
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, 
my savior and my God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, 
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, 
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Almighty Father, source of everlasting light, send forth your truth into our hearts and pour over us the brightness of your light.

Ant. Lord, send forth your light and your truth. 

________

From Lauds. 
Psalm 43. 231003. AO26D3

Lord, may we place all our hope in you.

The Lord looks on those who revere him, 
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death, 
to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul is waiting for the Lord. 
The Lord is our help and our shield.
In him do our hearts find joy. 
We trust in his holy name.

May your love be upon us, O Lord, 
as we place all our hope in you. 

______

Psalm 33 - Lauds  AO25D3 230926

Help me to be like you, Lord, in gentleness and humility.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have given your followers
an example of gentleness and humility,
a task that is easy, a burden that is light.
Accept the prayers and work of this day,
and give us the rest that will strengthen us
to render more faithful service to you
who live and reign for ever and ever.
– Amen.
 

Concluding Prayer at Compline on 220202 AO04D5

Lord, may I live my whole life according only to your will.

Brothers, I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God's will, what is good, pleasing and perfect. 

Romans 12:1-2
Reading at Vespers on  230313 AL03D2

Enlighten me, my Lord, that I might serve you well.

O God, be gracious and bless us 

and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth 
and all nations learn your saving help.

Psalm 67.1

From Lauds on AL03D3/230314

____________

Be gracious and bless us, Lord, and let your face shed its light on us, so that we can make you known with reverence and bring forth a harvest of justice. 

Psalm Prayer

From Lauds on AL03D3/230314

Lord, may I offer you only who I truly am.

Return to me with your whole heart,
   with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
   and return to the Lord, your God. 

Joel 2:12-13a

Reading at Lauds on AL03D3/230314

Lord, that I may persevere... for their sake, whom you love.

Let my eyes stream with tears 
day and night, without rest,
over the great destruction which overwhelms 
the virgin daughter of my people, 
over her incurable wound.

If I walk out into the field, 
look! those slain by the sword;
if I enter the city, 
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest 
forage in a land they know not.

Have you cast Judah off completely? 
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow 
that cannot be healed?

We wait for peace, to no avail; 
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, 
the guilt of our fathers; 
that we have sinned against you.

For your name's sake spurn us not, 
disgrace not the throne of your glory; 
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.

Jeremiah 14:17-21

Canticle at Lauds on 230526 AE07D6 

Help me gain courage, Lord, to serve your people.

It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep. The night is far spent; the day draws near. Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us live honorably as in daylight.

Romans 13:11b, 12-13a

Reading at Lauds 230606 

Responsory: 

My God stands by me, all my trust is in him.
– My God stands by me, all my trust is in him.

I find refuge in him, and I am truly free;
– all my trust is in him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– My God stands by me, all my trust is in him. 

Your Spirit of Love, Lord, rekindles life in me, free me from desires that belong to darkness.

God our Father,
hear our morning prayer
and let the radiance of your love
scatter the gloom of our hearts.
The light of heaven's love has restored us to life:
free us from the desires that belong to darkness.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

Concluding Prayer at Lauds

230626

Lord , I deeply value that you regard me as friend.

Father, he who knew no sin was made sin for us, to save us and restore us to your friendship. 

Look upon our contrite heart and afflicted spirit and heal our troubled conscience, so that in the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit we may proclaim your praise and glory before all the nations.

Psalm Prayer (Psalm 51 O God, have mercy on me)

Lauds on 230630 AO12D6

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Enlighten us, Lord, make it our aim to work for peace and to strengthen one another.

The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking,
but of justice, peace, and the joy that is given by the Holy Spirit. 

Whoever serves Christ in this way pleases God and wins the esteem of men.

Let us, then, make it our aim to work for peace and to strengthen one another.

Romans 14:17-19
Reading at Lauds on 230713 AO14D5

Renew us, O Lord, renew us.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 

I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. 

I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. 

Ezekiel 36:25-27

Reading at Lauds on 230709 AO14D1

Lord, may I give myself completely to your service.

Lord, you called John Bosco to be a teacher and father to the young.  Fill us with love like his: may we give ourselves completely to your service and to the salvation of mankind. 

Concluding prayer at Lauds 220201

Lord, that I would do only what is pleasing to you.

Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.   

Ephesians 4:29-32
Reading at Lauds AO01D6 230113