Antiphon1
Ant. Ask, and you will receive; *
seek, and you shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened to you;
for all who ask, receive,
he who seeks, finds,
and to him who knocks it shall be opened, alleluia.
V. In you, O Lord, I take refuge. *
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free; *
incline your ear to me, and speedily rescue me. Luke 11; Psalm 31
Gracious God,
your Son blessed the peacemakers
and called them your children.
Give us that peace which the world cannot give,
so that, freed from the schemes of the arrogant
and devoted to works of peace,
we may go forward joyfully to meet you;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Sebastian Temple ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/ynesafen
1 Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love;
where there is injury, your healing power,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2 Make me a channel of your peace:
where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, only light,
and where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3 O, Spirit, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love with all my soul.
4 Make me a channel of your peace:
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving to all that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
PSALMS
Psalm 120 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wmagrmt)
1 When I was in trouble I called upon the Lord *
and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips *
and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What reward shall be given or done unto thee, thou false tongue *
even mighty and sharp arrows, with hot burning coals.
4 Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech *
and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar.
5 My soul hath long dwelt among them *
that are enemies unto peace.
6 I labour for peace, but when I speak unto them thereof *
they make them ready to battle.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 121 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wlpcmlp)
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills *
from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh even from the Lord *
who hath made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved *
and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord himself is thy keeper *
the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
6 So that the sun shall not burn thee by day *
neither the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil *
yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in *
from this time forth for evermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 122 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uwbt7e3)
1 I was glad when they said unto me *
We will go into the house of the Lord.
2 Our feet shall stand in thy gates *
O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity in itself.
4 For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord *
to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5 For there is the seat of judgement *
even the seat of the house of David.
6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem *
they shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls *
and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes *
I will wish thee prosperity.
9 Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God *
I will seek to do thee good.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 123 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vqr5s45)
1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes *
O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2 Behold, even as the eyes of servants look
unto the hand of their masters,
and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress *
even so our eyes wait upon the Lord Our God,
until he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us *
for we are utterly despised.
4 Our soul is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy *
and with the despitefulness of the proud.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 124 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w9ocmm5)
1 If the Lord himself had not been on our side, now may Israel say *
if the Lord himself had not been on our side,
when men rose up against us;
2 They had swallowed us up quick *
when they were so wrathfully displeased at us.
3 Yea, the waters had drowned us *
and the stream had gone over our soul.
4 The deep waters of the proud *
had gone even over our soul.
5 But praised be the Lord *
who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth.
6 Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler *
the snare is broken, and we are delivered.
7 Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord *
who hath made heaven and earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 125 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s7phzdz)
1 They that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as the mount Sion *
which may not be removed, but standeth fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem *
even so standeth the Lord round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3 For the rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous *
lest the righteous put their hand unto wickedness.
4 Do well, O Lord *
unto those that are good and true of heart.
5 As for such as turn back unto their own wickedness *
the Lord shall lead them forth with the evil-doers;
but peace shall be upon Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 120 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-120.mp3)
1 When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD; *
I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips *
and from the deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be done to you, and what more besides, *
O you deceitful tongue?
4 The sharpened arrows of a warrior, *
along with hot glowing coals.
5 How hateful it is that I must lodge in Meshech *
and dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had to live *
among the enemies of peace.
7 I am on the side of peace, *
but when I speak of it, they are for war
Psalm 121 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-121.mp3)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The LORD himself watches over you; *
the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and
your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Psalm 122 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-122.mp3)
1 I was glad when they said to me, *
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;
4 To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the LORD.
5 For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
I will seek to do you good.”
Psalm 123 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-123.mp3)
1 To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.
2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
3 So our eyes look to the LORD our God, *
until he show us his mercy.
4 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
5 Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.
Psalm 124 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-124.mp3)
1 If the LORD had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;
2 If the LORD had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;
3 Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;
4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;
5 Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.
6 Blessed be the LORD! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the Name of the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 125 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-125.mp3)
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, *
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem; *
so does the LORD stand round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked shall not hold sway over the
land allotted to the just, *
so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.
4 Show your goodness, O LORD, to those who are good *
and to those who are true of heart.
5 As for those who turn aside to crooked ways,
the LORD will lead them away with the evildoers; *
but peace be upon Israel.
PRAYER
God, our helper,
you are strength greater than the mountains;
you look to our needs and watch over us day and night.
Teach us to hold confidently to your grace
that in times of fear and danger
we may know you are near and depend on you,
our sure deliverer. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Genesis 18:16-33
The men got up from there and went over to look down on Sodom. Abraham was walking along with them to send them off when the Lord said, “Will I keep from Abraham what I’m about to do? Abraham will certainly become a great populous nation, and all the earth’s nations will be blessed because of him. I have formed a relationship with him so that he will instruct his children and his household after him. And they will keep to the Lord’s path, being moral and just so that the Lord can do for Abraham everything he said he would.” Then the Lord said, “The cries of injustice from Sodom and Gomorrah are countless, and their sin is very serious! I will go down now to examine the cries of injustice that have reached me. Have they really done all this? If not, I want to know.”
The men turned away and walked toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing in front of the Lord. Abraham approached and said, “Will you really sweep away the innocent with the guilty? What if there are fifty innocent people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not save the place for the sake of the fifty innocent people in it? It’s not like you to do this, killing the innocent with the guilty as if there were no difference. It’s not like you! Will the judge of all the earth not act justly?” The Lord said, “If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will save it because of them.”
Abraham responded, “Since I’ve already decided to speak with my Lord, even though I’m just soil and ash, what if there are five fewer innocent people than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city over just five?” The Lord said, “If I find forty-five there, I won’t destroy it.”
Once again Abraham spoke, “What if forty are there?” The Lord said, “For the sake of forty, I will do nothing.”
He said, “Don’t be angry with me, my Lord, but let me speak. What if thirty are there?” The Lord said, “I won’t do it if I find thirty there.”
Abraham said, “Since I’ve already decided to speak with my Lord, what if twenty are there?” The Lord said, “I won’t do it, for the sake of twenty.”
Abraham said, “Don’t be angry with me, my Lord, but let me speak just once more. What if there are ten?” And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it because of those ten.” When the Lord finished speaking with Abraham, he left; but Abraham stayed there in that place.
HYMN: Samuel Rodigast; trans. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: Was Gott tut https://tinyurl.com/ur984hbh
1 Whate’er my God ordains is right:
his holy will abideth;
I will be still, whate’er he doth,
and follow where he guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road,
he holds me that I shall not fall:
wherefore to him I leave it all.
2 Whate’er my God ordains is right:
he never will deceive me;
he leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me.
I take, content, what he hath sent;
his hand can turn my griefs away,
and patiently I wait his day.
3 Whate’er my God ordains is right:
though now this cup, in drinking,
may bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
and pain and sorrow shall depart.
4 Whate’er my God ordains is right:
here shall my stand be taken;
though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
yet am I not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
he holds me that I shall not fall:
and so to him I leave it all.
First of all, then, I ask that requests, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be made for all people. Pray for kings and everyone who is in authority so that we can live a quiet and peaceful life in complete godliness and dignity. This is right and it pleases God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the human Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a payment to set all people free. This was a testimony that was given at the right time. I was appointed to be a preacher and apostle of this testimony—I’m telling the truth and I’m not lying! I’m a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
HYMN: Frances Ridley Havergal
Tune: Hendon https://tinyurl.com/yk8fc35a
1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5 Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus told them, “When you pray, say:
‘Father, uphold the holiness of your name.
Bring in your kingdom.
Give us the bread we need for today.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who has wronged us.
And don’t lead us into temptation.’”
He also said to them, “Imagine that one of you has a friend and you go to that friend in the middle of the night. Imagine saying, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves of bread because a friend of mine on a journey has arrived and I have nothing to set before him.’ Imagine further that he answers from within the house, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ I assure you, even if he wouldn’t get up and help because of his friendship, he will get up and give his friend whatever he needs because of his friend’s brashness. And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.
“Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? If a child asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
CANTICLE Luke 1:46-55(John Michael Talbot, https://tinyurl.com/mweccsj)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.
PRAYERS BCW
God of heaven and earth,
through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us
when we pray to you in his name.
Confident in your love and mercy
we offer our prayer.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Empower the church throughout the world in its life and witness.
Break down the barriers that divide,
that, united in your truth and love,
the church may confess your name,
share one baptism,
sit together at one table,
and serve you in one common ministry.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Guide the rulers of the nations.
Move them to set aside their fear, greed, and vain ambition,
and bow to your sovereign rule.
Inspire them to strive for peace and justice,
that all your children may dwell secure,
free of war and injustice.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear the cries of the world’s hungry and suffering.
Give us, who consume most of the earth’s resources,
the will to reorder our lives,
that all may have their rightful share of the food,
medical care, and shelter,
and so have the necessities of a life of dignity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Restore among us a love of the earth you created for our home.
Help us put an end to ravishing its land, air, and waters,
and give us respect for all your creatures,
that, living in harmony with everything you have made,
your whole creation may resound in an anthem of praise
to your glorious name.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Renew our nation in the ways of justice and peace.
Guide those who make and administer our laws
to build a society based on trust and respect.
Erase prejudices that oppress;
free us from crime and violence;
guard our youth from the perils of drugs and materialism.
Give all citizens a new vision of a life of harmony.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Look with compassion on all who suffer.
Support with your love
those with incurable and stigmatized diseases,
those unjustly imprisoned,
those denied dignity,
those who live without hope,
those who are homeless or abandoned.
so lead us to be present with them in their suffering
in the name of Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Setting by Eric Wyse:2
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Father in heaven,
in your goodness
you pour out on your people all that they need,
and satisfy those who persist in prayer.
Make us bold in asking,
thankful in receiving,
tireless in seeking,
and joyful in finding,
that we may always proclaim your coming kingdom
and do your will on earth as in heaven. Amen. RCLP
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
Donation to Support This Ministry
Since 1993, Oremus has been done on a volunteer basis. If you are able, please consider supporting this work at the PayPal link below. For software reasons, I’ve set the value at $10.00, but feel free to change it. Thank you.
$10.00
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible
The traditional-language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions of the psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2025 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
Oremus 