Thursday, July 18
The Midday Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.


The Call to Prayer
Sing to the LORD and bless his Name;* proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;* he is more to be feared than all gods.
Psalm 96:2, 4

The Request for Presence
O LORD, watch over us* and save us from this generation for ever. The wicked prowl on every side,* and that which is worthless is highly praised by everyone.
Psalm 12:7–8


The Greeting

Deliver me, O LORD, by your hand* from those whose portion in life is this world . . .
Psalm 17:14

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

Our iniquities you have set before you,* and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
Psalm 90:8

A Reading

The heart is more devious than any other thing, and is depraved; who can pierce its secrets? I, YAHWEH, search the heart, test the motives, to give each person what his conduct and his actions deserve.
Jeremiah 17:9–10

The Refrain

Our iniquities you have set before you,* and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

The Midday Psalm

It Is God Who Judges

For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west,* nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains. It is God who judges,* he puts down one and lifts up another. For in the LORD’s hand there is a cup, full of spiced and foaming wine, which he pours out,* and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and drain the dregs.
Psalm 75:6–8

The Refrain

Our iniquities you have set before you,* and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

The Cry of the Church

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, grant me your peace.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your servant who calls upon you, and grant that I may know and understand what things I ought to do, and that I also may have the grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant me to so follow in faith where you have led the way, that I may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.†