The Call to Prayer

I cry out to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Psalm 142:5

The Request for Presence

Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; you are my crag and my stronghold.

Psalm 71:3

The Greeting

O LORD, I cry to you for help; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Psalm 88:14

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?

Psalm 22:1

A Reading

When they reached the place called The Skull, there they crucified him and the two criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.” Then they cast lots to share out his clothing. The people stayed there watching. As for the leaders, they jeered at him with the words, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him too, coming up to him, offering him vinegar, and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging there abused him: “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.” But the other spoke up and rebuked him. “Have you no fear of God at all?” he said. “You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He answered him, “In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” It was now about the sixth hour and the sun's light failed, so that darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Sanctuary was torn right down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” With these words he breathed his last.

Luke 23:33-46

The Refrain

My God, my God, who have you forsaken me? And are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?

The Morning Psalm
I Am Poured Out Like Water

I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart within my breast is melting wax.

My mouth is dried out like a pot-shard; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.

Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs of evildoers circle around me; they pierce my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.

They stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.

Be not far away, O LORD; you are my strength; hasten to help me.

Save me from the sword, my life from the power of the dog.

Save me from the lion’s mouth, my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.

I will declare your Name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.

Psalm 22:14-21

The Refrain

My God, my God, who have you forsaken me? And are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?

The Cry of the Church

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

And 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.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that I, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

O God, you sent Christ Jesus to be my shepherd and the lamb of sacrifice. Help me to embrace the mystery of salvation, the promise of life rising out of death. Help me to hear the call of Christ and give me the courage to follow it readily that I, too, may lead others to you. This I ask through Jesus, my shepherd and guide.