Returning to God.
Holy One, make speed to save us: O God, come quickly to help us.
Glory to God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Mondays: From Psalm 27, Dominus illuminatio
The Lord is my light and my salvation; * whom then shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; * of whom then shall I be afraid?
One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
For in the day of trouble,
O God, you shall keep me safe in your shelter; *
you shall hide me in the secrecy of your dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
You have been my helper; cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
CLOSING: FROM MATTHEW 5
Blessed are the poor in spirit,* for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,* for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,* for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,*
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,* for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,* for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,*
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Reading: Mark 7:24–37
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’
MAGNIFICAT
1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
2 for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
3 The Almighty has done great things for me* and holy is his name.
4 He has mercy on those who fear him* in every generation.
5 He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
6 He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
7 He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
8 He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
9 the promise he made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
PRAYERS
We have betrayed our humanity by thinking of others or ourselves as destined for dust rather than for glory.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We have not brought the light of transfiguration into dark places.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
We have not listened to the wisdom of the divinely human One, transfigured on the mountain.
Lord, have mercy upon us

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, grant that we, who are weighed down by our sins, may be relieved and encouraged by your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Bless us, Christ Jesus; you come to clothe us in compassion as in a garment. Amen
Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity. Amen.
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing: through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Compiled with Materials from: SEC Daily Prayer; Jim Cotter, Lectionary Resources; Taizé A prayer for each day; GS2016 Pointed Liturgical Psalter 2016 04 08; Chris Thorpe, Touching the Sacred.