Cantica Gaudia

Season of Epiphany: Tuesday Noonday Prayer

Opening: From the rising of the sun to its going down, let the name of the Lord be praised.

Psalm: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart
before the gods will I sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name
because of your love and faithfulness.
For you have glorified your name
and your word above all things.
When I called, you answered me;
you increased my strength within me.
All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Lord,
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
They will sing of the ways of the Lord,
that great is the glory of the Lord.
Though the Lord be high, God cares for the lowly;
God perceives the haughty from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;
You stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand will save me.
The Lord will make good God’s purpose for me;
O Lord, your love endures for ever – do not abandon the works of your hands.

Reading: The woman singeth at her spinning-wheel 
A pleasant chant, ballad or barcarole; 
She thinketh of her song, upon the whole, 
Far more than of her flax; and yet the reel 
Is full, and artfully her fingers feel 
With quick adjustment, provident control, 
The lines—too subtly twisted to unroll—
Out to a perfect thread. I hence appeal 
To the dear Christian Church--that we may do 
Our Father's business in these temples mirk, 
Thus swift and steadfast, thus intent and strong; 
While thus, apart from toil, our souls pursue 
Some high calm spheric tune, and prove our work 
The better for the sweetness of our song.

The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
And the power and the glory,
For ever and ever.  Amen.

Prayer: Though you are worthy of trumpets and the song of angels, you graciously receive our daily prayers of whispered words and mundane habits.  Enable us, Lord, to love you with all that we are and in all that we do.  Teach us how we might truly pray without ceasing.  Amen.

Going forth: Thanks be to God!