The following reflections are provided for individual or communal reflection in preparation for praying the Liturgy of the Hours.

Morning Prayer -> Evening Prayer -> How to Pray

Morning Prayer

Psalm 101 -> Daniel 3:26, 27, 29, 34-41 -> Psalm 144:1-10

1. Take a few moments to reflect on the themes of the prayers this morning:

In The School of Prayer: An Introduction to the Divine Office, John Brook notes how the psalmody this morning is about justice. Psalm 101 is about a ruler who vows to lead a just government; Daniel 3:26-41 is about a nation suffering injustice; and Psalm 144:1-10 is a king’s prayer for help. Perhaps we have seen rulers begin a term by promising to do a lot of good only to have their vows challenged by difficult circumstances and their own human weakness as they progressed through their time in office. Perhaps we have had power or influence and vowed to use that influence to create good only to find ourselves challenged by circumstances or our own human weakness. By virtue of our Baptism we are all called to be leaders who preach the Gospel in word and deed by doing things such as the corporal works of mercy. We may vow to do a lot of good, but due to our own human weakness and the challenges of life, we are ultimately reliant on God to live that vow out.

2. Consider one or more of these questions for reflection:

• How are you called to leadership within the Kingdom of God today? Perhaps you are called to work for peace in a challenging work or family situation. Or perhaps you are called to offer one of the corporal works of mercy to someone in need?
• What might be a hurdle for you today?
• Consider listening and reflecting on the song “What If I Stumble” by DC Talk

Evening Prayer

Psalm 137:1-6 -> Psalm 138 -> Revelation 4:11, 5:9, 10, 12

1. Take a few moments to reflect on the themes of the prayers this evening:

The psalmody tonight is perfect for the evening hours of those types of days when we experienced difficulty or disappointment. In Psalm 137 we hear disappointment (perhaps despair). We then move to Psalm 138 in which we are invited to praise the God who remains faithful and who gives us life and hope and salvation as we walk through affliction. In Revelation 4:11-5:12 we close with a praise of the God who has saved us.

2. Consider one or more of these questions for reflection:

• What challenges did you face today? What remains unresolved or unfinished from the day?
• Have you given the results of your day to God?
• Consider listening to “Revelation Song” by Kari Jobe (which mirror our reading from Revelation)

^[1] John Brook, “The School of Prayer:  An Introduction to The Divine Office for All Christians (Collegeville, MN:  Liturgical Press, 1991), 393.

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