Brother Lawrence
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (c. 1614 – 12 February 1691) served as a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Christians commonly remember him for the intimacy he expressed concerning his relationship to God as recorded in a book compiled after his death, the classic Christian text, The Practice of the Presence of God. The text attempts to explain Lawrence’s method of acquiring the presence of God. A summary of his approach can be gleaned from the following passages. “That he had always been governed by love, without selfish views; and that having resolved to make the love of GOD the end of all his actions, he had found reasons to be well satisfied with his method. That he was pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground for the love of GOD, seeking Him only, and nothing else, not even His gifts.” “That in order to form a habit of conversing with GOD continually, and referring all we do to Him; we must at first apply to Him with some diligence: but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.” Lawrence pleads that all work is valuable to God and one needs not accomplish great things to please Him. The labourer is as valuable to God as the priest. Wikipedia
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/4xhpruzx
Remember your word to your servant, O Lord,
by which you have given me hope.
This is my comfort when I am brought low. Psalm 119
O God, since you are with me, and it is your will that I must now apply myself to these outward duties, I beg you, assist me with your grace that I may continue in your presence; and to this end, O Lord, be with me in this my work, accept the labour of my hands, and dwell within my heart with all your fullness. Amen. Brother Lawrence
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: Jan Struther ©
Tune: Slane https://tinyurl.com/ycyyc2k5
1 Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy,
be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
2 Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
3 Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
4 Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.
PSALMS
Psalm 59 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7xjmm3n)
1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O God *
defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 O deliver me from the wicked doers *
and save me from the blood-thirsty men.
3 For lo, they lie waiting for my soul *
the mighty men are gathered against me,
without any offence or fault of me, O Lord.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault *
arise thou therefore to help me, and behold.
5 Stand up, O Lord God of hosts, thou God of Israel,
to visit all the heathen *
and be not merciful unto them that offend of malicious wickedness.
6 They go to and fro in the evening *
they grin like a dog, and run about through the city.
7 Behold, they speak with their mouth, and swords are in their lips *
for who doth hear?
8 But thou, O Lord, shalt have them in derision *
and thou shalt laugh all the heathen to scorn.
9 My strength will I ascribe unto thee *
for thou art the God of my refuge.
10 God sheweth me his goodness plenteously *
and God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget it *
but scatter them abroad among the people,
and put them down, O Lord, our defence.
12 For the sin of their mouth, and for the words of their lips,
they shall be taken in their pride *
and why? their preaching is of cursing and lies.
13 Consume them in thy wrath, consume them, that they may perish *
and know that it is God that ruleth in Jacob,
and unto the ends of the world.
14 And in the evening they will return *
grin like a dog, and will go about the city.
15 They will run here and there for meat *
and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 As for me, I will sing of thy power,
and will praise thy mercy betimes in the morning *
for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing *
for thou, O God, art my refuge, and my merciful God.
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 60 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yaj9c4se)
1 O God, thou hast cast us out, and scattered us abroad *
thou hast also been displeased; O turn thee unto us again.
2 Thou hast moved the land, and divided it *
heal the sores thereof, for it shaketh.
3 Thou hast shewed thy people heavy things *
thou hast given us a drink of deadly wine.
4 Thou hast given a token for such as fear thee *
that they may triumph because of the truth.
5 Therefore were thy beloved delivered *
help me with thy right hand, and hear me.
6 God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice, and divide Sichem *
and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine *
Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my law-giver;
8 Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe *
Philistia, be thou glad of me.
9 Who will lead me into the strong city *
who will bring me into Edom?
10 Hast not thou cast us out, O God *
wilt not thou, O God, go out with our hosts?
11 O be thou our help in trouble *
for vain is the help of man.
12 Through God will we do great acts *
for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
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 61 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ycmkl8hs)
1 Hear my crying, O God *
give ear unto my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth will I call upon thee *
when my heart is in heaviness.
3 O set me up upon the rock that is higher than I *
for thou hast been my hope,
and a strong tower for me against the enemy.
4 I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever *
and my trust shall be under the covering of thy wings.
5 For thou, O Lord, hast heard my desires *
and hast given an heritage unto those that fear thy Name.
6 Thou shalt grant the King a long life *
that his years may endure throughout all generations.
7 He shall dwell before God for ever *
O prepare thy loving mercy and faithfulness, that they may preserve him.
8 So will I alway sing praise unto thy Name *
that I may daily perform my vows.
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 59 (Gregorian Tone 1f)
2 Rescue me from my foes, O God;
protect me from those who attack me.
2 O rescue me from those who do evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.
4 See, they lie in wait for my life;
the strong band together against me.
For no offense, no sin of mine, 0 LoRD,
5 for no guilt of mine they rush to take their stand.
Awake! Come to meet me, and see!
6 LORD God of hosts, you are Israel’s God.
Rouse yourself and punish the nations;
show no mercy to evil traitors.
7 Each evening they come back;
howling like dogs, they roam about the city.
8 See how their mouths utter insults;
their lips are like sharpened swords.
“For who,” they say, “will hear us?”
9 But you, LORD, will laugh them to scorn.
You make a mockery of all the nations.
10 O my Strength, for you will I watch,
for you, 0 God, are my stronghold,
11 the God who shows me merciful love.
Now God will proceed before me;
God will let me look upon my foes.
12 Do not kill them lest my people forget;
rout them by your power, lay them low.
It is you, O Lord, who are our shield.
13 For the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride;
for the curses and lies that they speak.
14 Consume them, consume them in anger,
till they are no more.
Then they will know that God is the ruler
over Jacob and the ends of the earth.
15 Each evening they come back;
they howl like dogs and roam about the city.
16 They prowl in seard1 of food;
they growl till they have their fill.
17 As for me, I will sing of your strength,
and acclaim your mercy in the morning,
for you have been my stronghold,
a refuge in the day of my distress.
18 O my Strength, to you I will sing praise,
for you, 0 God, are my stronghold,
the God who shows me merciful love.
Psalm 60 (Gregorian Tone 2)
3 O God, you have rejected us, and broken us.
You have been angry; come back to us.
4 You have made the earth quake, torn it open.
Repair what is shattered, for it sways.
5 You have inflicted hardships on your people,
made us drink a wine that dazed us.
6 For those who fear you, you gave the signal
to flee from the face of the bow.
7 With your right hand, grant salvation, and give answer,
that those whom you love may be free.
8 From his holy place God has spoken:
“I will exult, and divide the land of Shechem;
I will measure out the valley of Succoth.
9 Mine is Gilead, mine is Manasseh;
Ephraim I take for my helmet,
Judah is my scepter.
10 Moab is my washbowl;
on Edom I will toss my shoe.
Over Philistia I will shout in triumph.”
11 But who will lead me to the fortified city?
Who will bring me to Edom?
12 Have you not cast us off, O God?
Will you march with our armies no longer?
13 Give us aid against the foe,
for human help is vain.
14 With God, we shall do bravely,
and he will trample down our foes.
Psalm 61 (Gregorian Tone 8)
2 Listen, O God, to my cry!
Attend to my prayer!
3 From the end of the earth I call you;
my heart is faint.
Set me high upon the rock
too high for me to reach,
4 you, my refuge and mighty tower
against the foe.
5 Then will I dwell in your tent forever,
and rude in the shelter of your wings.
6 For you, 0 God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those
who fear your name.
7 Day upon day you will add to the king,
his years from age to age.
8 May he ever sit enthroned before God:
bid mercy and truth be his protection.
9 So I will sing to your name forever,
and day after day fulfill my vows.
PRAYER
O God our refuge,
in the midst of violence be a tower of safety
for all who cry out to you.
Strengthen our faith in your mercy,
that we may sing your praise from generation to generation;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Genesis 27:18-29
Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “I’m here. Who are you, my son?” Jacob said to his father, “I’m Esau your oldest son. I’ve made what you asked me to. Sit up and eat some of the game so you can bless me.” Isaac said to his son, “How could you find this so quickly, my son?” He said, “The Lord your God led me right to it.”
Isaac said to Jacob, “Come here and let me touch you, my son. Are you my son Esau or not?” So Jacob approached his father Isaac, and Isaac touched him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the arms are Esau’s arms.” Isaac didn’t recognize him because his arms were hairy like Esau’s arms, so he blessed him.
Isaac said, “Are you really my son Esau?” And he said, “I am.” Isaac said, “Bring some food here and let me eat some of my son’s game so I can bless you.” Jacob put it before him and he ate, and he brought him wine and he drank. His father Isaac said to him, “Come here and kiss me, my son.” So he came close and kissed him. When Isaac smelled the scent of his clothes, he blessed him,
“See, the scent of my son
is like the scent of the field
that the Lord has blessed.
May God give you
showers from the sky,
olive oil from the earth,
plenty of grain and new wine.
May the nations serve you,
may peoples bow down to you.
Be the most powerful man among your brothers,
and may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
Those who curse you will be cursed,
and those who bless you will be blessed.”
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Truro https://tinyurl.com/mr4yd7hd
1. High in the heav’ns, eternal God!
Thy goodness in full glory shines;
Thy truth shall break through ev’ry cloud
That veils and darkens thy designs.
2. For ever firm Thy justice stands,
As mountains their foundations keep.
Wise are the wonders of thy hands;
Thy judgments are a mighty deep.
3. Thy providence is kind and large;
Both man and beast thy bounty share;
The whole creation is thy charge,
But saints are thy peculiar care.
4. My God! how excellent thy grace,
Whence all our hope and comfort springs!
The sons of Adam in distress
Fly to the shadow of thy wings.
5. From the provisions of thy house,
We shall be fed with sweet repast.
There mercy like a river flows,
And brings salvation to our taste.
6. Life, like a fountain, rich and free,
Springs from the presence of the Lord:
And in his light our souls shall see
The glories promis’d in his word.
READING: Romans 6:1-11
So what are we going to say? Should we continue sinning so grace will multiply? Absolutely not! All of us died to sin. How can we still live in it? Or don’t you know that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we were buried together with him through baptism into his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life. If we were united together in a death like his, we will also be united together in a resurrection like his. This is what we know: the person that we used to be was crucified with him in order to get rid of the corpse that had been controlled by sin. That way we wouldn’t be slaves to sin anymore, because a person who has died has been freed from sin’s power. But if we died with Christ, we have faith that we will also live with him. We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and he will never die again. Death no longer has power over him. He died to sin once and for all with his death, but he lives for God with his life. In the same way, you also should consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.
HYMN: John Geyer ©
Tune: Engelberg https://tinyurl.com/4f7syr35
1 We know that Christ is raised and dies no more.
Embraced by death, he broke its fearful hold;
and our despair he turned to blazing joy.
Alleluia!
2 We share by water in his saving death.
Reborn, we share with him an Easter life
as living members of a living Christ.
Alleluia!
3 The Father’s splendor clothes the Son with life.
The Spirit’s power shakes the Church of God.
Baptized, we live with God the Three in One.
Alleluia!
READING: Mark 5:35-43
While Jesus was still speaking with her, messengers came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying to Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the teacher any longer?” But Jesus overheard their report and said to the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting.” He didn’t allow anyone to follow him except Peter, James, and John, James’ brother. They came to the synagogue leader’s house, and he saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “What’s all this commotion and crying about? The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.” They laughed at him, but he threw them all out. Then, taking the child’s parents and his disciples with him, he went to the room where the child was. Taking her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Young woman, get up.” Suddenly the young woman got up and began to walk around. She was 12 years old. They were shocked! He gave them strict orders that no one should know what had happened. Then he told them to give her something to eat.
CANTICLE Deuteronomy 32:1-12 (Sing the Hours)
Give ear, O heavens, while I speak;
let the earth hearken to the words of my mouth!
May my instruction soak in like the rain,
and my discourse permeate like the dew,
Like a downpour upon the grass,
like a shower upon the crops:
For I will sing the Lord’s renown.
Oh, proclaim the greatness of our God!
The Rock – how faultless are his deeds,
how right all his ways!
A faithful God, without deceit,
how just and upright he is!
Yet basely has he been treated by his degenerate children,
a perverse and crooked race!
Is the Lord to be thus repaid by you,
O stupid and foolish people?
Is he not your father who created you?
Has he not made you and established you?
Think back on the days of old,
reflect on the years of age upon age.
Ask your father and he will inform you,
ask your elders and they will tell you:
When the Most High assigned the nations their heritage,
when he parceled out the descendants of Adam,
He set up the boundaries of the peoples
after the number of the sons of God;
While the Lord’s own portion was Jacob,
His hereditary share was Israel.
He found them in a wilderness,
a wasteland of howling desert.
He shielded them and cared for them,
guarding them as the apple of his eye.
As an eagle incites its nestlings forth
by hovering over its brood,
So he spread his wings to receive them
and bore them up on his pinions.
The Lord alone was their leader,
no strange god was with him.
THE PRAYERS COS, alt.
God of faith and love,
by your grace alone
we are called to be your people.
As members of the Christian family in this place,
we pray for the whole Church of Jesus Christ.
Take from us all that disrupts our unity,
and make us faithful in your service.
May we so live in Christ and he in us,
that we may be his body in the world today.
We pray for the world which you love,
and for which Christ gave his life.
Guide the leaders of the nations
and all who strive for peace and justice.
Look in mercy on all who are powerless,
and shelter those who are homeless,
hungry, or oppressed.
Help us to care for our neighbours
and to cherish the life of your creation,
that your will may be done on earth.
We pray for our nation.
Grant that none in our land
may be despised or rejected,
and that your kingdom of love may prevail.
We pray for those in need,
for ill or distressed people,
and for those who draw near to death.
In the name of him who bears our griefs
and carries our sorrows,
bring them your comfort and peace.
We give you thanks
for all who have departed this life in faith.
Keep us with them in communion
with Christ our risen Lord,
and bring us at the last with all your saints
to eat and drink
in the glory of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ,
to whom with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit,
be praise and honour for ever. Amen.
(Traditional chant: http://oremus.org/chant/LP-1940.mp3)
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.
O God, by whose grace your servant N., kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP79
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
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
CW:DP Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing
COS Common Order, © 1994 Church of Scotland
BCP79 The Book of Common Prayer (1979), The Episcopal Church
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662).
Psalms marked Gregorian are from The Abbey Psalms and Canticles ©2010, 2018 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. ©2020 as recorded for the Chants and Rants YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chantsandrants
The canticle is from Liturgy of the Hours as recorded for Sing the Hours https://www.youtube.com/c/SingtheHours
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 © 2026 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 