Daily Prayers

Morning and Evening Prayers

Christians have prayed with the scriptures for centuries. Recently, Catholics were encouraged to practice scriptural prayer by the Second Vatican Council, which increased the scriptural readings at Mass, the liturgy of the hours, and the church’s daily prayers. Praying with the scriptures is not always easy, though. They’re old, and we live in a modern world. They’re the Word of God, but they come from another time and place. Scholars today unlock their meaning, but they also introduce us to their complex history. The four weeks of morning and evening prayer we follow in this website is from the Liturgy of the Hours used in the Catholic Church, slightly adapted.

One general suggestion: listen to the prayers you say.

For example, morning and evening prayers begin with a simple prayer asking God to help us pray. “God, come to my assistance…” God gives us the gift of prayer, and God gives it freely, welcoming us into the mystery of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Notice the variety of psalms, canticles, and readings for beginning and concluding the day. They’re taken from various parts of the Bible. Some are prayers of praise, some look for forgiveness, healing or guidance, some thank God for what will come or what has been done.

Praying morning and evening prayers helps you become gradually acquainted with all the scriptures. They introduce you to the Word of God and the mystery of Jesus Christ.