Opening
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
At the center of the day, O Christ, We meet You at the Cross. Not only when the light is gentle— Also when the work feels loss. Keep us faithful in the ordinary; Keep us kind when we are pressed. Let this hour become an altar Where our labor is confessed.
Original, Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
Between tasks, return me to presence and charity.
Psalm 121 (120):1–2
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help will come to me. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
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
Between tasks, return me to presence and charity.
Psalm II
Antiphon
You neither slumber nor sleep; watch over the work of my hands.
Psalm 122 (121):1–2, 6–7
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
I rejoiced in the things that were said to me: “We shall go into the house of the Lord.” Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem. Petition for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem, and for abundance for those who love you. Let peace be in your virtue, and abundance in your towers.
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
You neither slumber nor sleep; watch over the work of my hands.
Silence
Hold the psalm a little longer.
Reading
Romans 8:26
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
And similarly, the Spirit also helps our weakness. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself asks on our behalf with ineffable sighing.
Responsory
Let us not grow weary in doing good. In due time we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Intercessions
We offer this middle of the day: its boredom, its pressure, and its small chances to love. Receive it.
R. Lord, have mercy.
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.