Opening
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
Peace in the center of the day — Christ, be my stillness now. The morning’s fire has cooled a little; Teach me the faithful how. Not heroic, only present. Not shining, only true. I offer you this middle stretch Until the work is through.
Original – Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
Peace in the center of the day — Christ, be my stillness.
Psalm 118 (117):1, 14–17
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is forever. The Lord is my strength and my praise, and he has become my salvation. A voice of exultation and salvation is in the tabernacles of the just. The right hand of the Lord has wrought virtue. The right hand of the Lord has exalted me. The right hand of the Lord has wrought virtue. I will not die, but I will live. And I will declare the works of the Lord.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon
Peace in the center of the day — Christ, be my stillness.
Psalm II
Antiphon
In the middle of the work, be my rest and my aim.
Psalm 145 (144):1–3, 8–9
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
I will extol you, O God, my king. And I will bless your name, in this time and forever and ever. Throughout every single day, I will bless you. And I will praise your name, in this time and forever and ever. The Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy. And there is no end to his greatness. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy. The Lord is sweet to all things, and his compassion is upon all his works.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon
In the middle of the work, be my rest and my aim.
Silence
A moment of silence
Reading
Romans 12:1–2
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind. And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect.
Responsory
Hold us fast in the work of this hour. And keep our hearts near the Cross. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Intercessions
In meetings, errands, and unfinished lists, let us not lose the person; hold us present until the work is love.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
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. Amen.
Closing prayer
Father, we have already stumbled today. Give us a way to begin again before evening. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.