Week 20 of Ordinary Time

Morning Prayer

Friday, August 21, 2026

Opening

O God, reach out to help me. O Lord, hasten to assist me. — From Psalm 70

Hymn

All praise to Thee, my God, this night, For all the blessings of the light! Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, Beneath Thine own almighty wings. Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son, The ill that I this day have done, That with the world, myself, and Thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. — Thomas Ken (public domain)

Psalmody

Antiphon

In the joy of your morning, I offer you this day.

Psalm

Come, let us exult in the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to God, our Savior. Let us anticipate his presence with confession, and let us sing joyfully to him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 94:1–3 · Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

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 joy of your morning, I offer you this day.

Reading

Galatians 2:16, 19–20 And we know that man is not justified by the works of the law, but only by the faith of Jesus Christ. And so we believe in Christ Jesus, in order that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law. For no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. For through the law, I have become dead to the law, so that I may live for God. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. I live; yet now, it is not I, but truly Christ, who lives in me. And though I live now in the flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and who delivered himself for me. — Galatians 2:16, 19–20 · Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Reflection

Before the noise multiplies, name one intention for this day. Offer your work, your waiting, and your relationships to God with a simple yes.

Intercession

For hearts that are tired, bring rest. For hearts that are restless, bring purpose. For hearts that are hard, bring compassion. For the world you love, kindle justice and peace. Lord, hear our prayer.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, keep this prayer alive in me through the day. Guard my steps, purify my desires, and teach me to love as you love. Amen.

Silence

If you can, rest in quiet for half a minute before you rise.

Scripture: Psalm 94:1–3 · Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain); Galatians 2:16, 19–20 · Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

An original Prayer on Fire offering for the hours of the day