Morning and Evening Prayer
Morning Prayer (Friday 6:30am - 7:30am)
Mattins is the historic morning prayer that became one of the principal daily services. The word comes from the Latin matutinus, meaning “of the morning.”
Purpose
Mattins is fundamentally an act of beginning the day with God. Before work, responsibilities, or distractions claim our attention, the Church gathers to hear God's Word, confess sin, praise Him, and pray.
It establishes several priorities:
God is worshiped before the day's work begins.
Scripture shapes our minds before the world does.
Prayer reminds us that our dependence is upon God.
“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Psalm 5:3).
Structure
Opening Scripture Psalm 95:1-7 (Venite)
The Lord's Prayer
Canticle: We Praise You, O God (Te Deum Laudamus)
The Apostles' Creed
Prayer
Closing
Mattins is more than a devotional exercise; it forms Christian character.
We confess before we presume,
We listen before we speak
We praise before they petition
We receive God's Word before a day of work
Evening Prayer (Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Traditionally. evening prayer was at sunset as the day draws to a close. Today, it is most commonly done in the evening, or after work. The name comes from the Latin vesper, meaning “evening.”
Purpose
If Mattins dedicates the day to God, Vespers returns the day to God.
“Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2).
It is a time to:
Give thanks for God's mercies throughout the day.
Hear His Word once more.
Intercede for the Church and the world.
Structure
Opening Scripture
The Lord’s Prayer
The Preces “O Lord, open thou our lips”
Apostles' Creed
Prayers
Closing
Like Mattins, Vespers is more than a devotional exercise; it for Christian character.
· Life is temporary,
· Every day is a gift
· Darkness cannot overcome God's light
· One day evening will give way to eternal morning