The four offices of Family Prayer are “particularly appropriate for families with young children.” As such, they are miniaturized forms of Morning Prayer, Midday Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline, and contain several cases of overlap among themselves and with the Offices they imitate. It is therefore, in a sense, unnecessary and inappropriate for a standard Customary to step into the area of what is essentially private devotion. Nevertheless, certain resources and uses can be recommended for the family and for the individual seeking to use these miniature offices.

One possibility would be to utilize the four Family Prayer offices as additional offices to stand in between the four they imitate, thus providing the worshiper with a flexible version of the Benedictine pattern of seven Offices in the day plus one at night. Such a pattern could look like this, using the additional resources offered below:

  • Prime 6am: Family Prayer in the Morning with the Children’s Lectionary
  • Matins & Lauds: Morning Prayer
  • Terce 9am: Family Payer at Midday with the Extrabiblical Lectionary
  • Sext 12pm: Midday Prayer
  • None 3pm: Family Prayer in the Early Evening with Special Intercessions
  • Vespers: Evening Prayer
  • Evening Homily: Family Prayer at the Close of Day with the Homiletic Lectionary
  • Compline: Compline

A Children’s Lectionary

The following lectionary is provided in two forms: one that rotates through different sections of the Bible every seven days, covering key readings from throughout the Bible throughout the year; and one that aligns the same range of readings roughly in time with the Daily Office Lectionary.

It is based on the days of the secular calendar year, for the sake of simplicity. Thus it is able to include fixed-date holidays (like Christmas and All Saints’ Day) but not movable-date holidays (like Easter and Pentecost). Thus, certain months of the year focus on the themes of the roughly-concurrent liturgical seasons. Apart from the interruptions of the 41 holidays, the bulk of the year works on a 7-day rotation, such that each day of the week is from a particular part of the Bible. The rotation is Jesus’ Life (the Gospels, Acts, Revelation), Poetry (Psalms and wisdom books), Old Testament Stories (the historical books), Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy), Jesus’ Teachings (the Gospels), the Old Testament Prophets, and the New Testament Epistles. The 42 holidays that interrupt these usual themes are the Major Feast Days listed in the Prayer Book, with a few extra observances to highlight a few more biblical characters.

January approximates the season of Epiphany: the Poetical readings are from Epiphany Psalms; the OT stories are of King Solomon and the good kings of Judah; the Torah readings are from Deuteronomy; Jesus’ Teachings are from the Sermon on the Mount; the Prophets; writings are from Isaiah; the Epistles are from Timothy & Titus; the stories of Jesus’ life are from his childhood through his baptism.

February: the Poetical readings are of family-related wisdom; the OT stories are about the prophets Jonah and Elijah; the Torah readings are from Deuteronomy; Jesus’ teachings are from the Sermon on the Mount; the Prophets’ writings are from Isaiah and Jeremiah; the Epistles are from Philemon and Colossians; the stories of Jesus’ life are from his early ministry.

March approximates the season of Lent: the Poetical readings are from some penitential psalms; the OT stories are about the fall of Judah; the Torah readings are from the book of Genesis, especially about the Fall; Jesus’ teachings are on the subject of the cost of discipleship; the Prophets’ writings are from Jeremiah and Lamentations; the Epistles are from Colossians and Galatians; the stories of Jesus’ life are of his passion and death.

April approximates the season of Easter: the Poetical readings are from some Easter Psalms; the OT stories are from Ezra and Nehemiah; the Torah readings are from the book of Exodus, especially about the Passover; Jesus’ teachings are on the subject of life in Christ; the Prophets’ writings are from Ezekiel; the Epistle readings are from Ephesians; the stories of Jesus’ life are of his post-resurrection appearances.

May approximates the season of Ascensiontide and Pentecost: the Poetical readings are from some Ascension and Pentecost Psalms; the OT stories are from Nehemiah and Esther; the Torah readings are from the book of Genesis; Jesus’ teachings are from the Holy Spirit discourse in John 14–17; the Prophets’ writings are from Daniel; the Epistles are from 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Jude; the stories of Jesus’ life are of his ascension through the day of Pentecost.

June: the Poetical readings are from the Song of Songs; the OT stories are from Tobit, Judith, and 1 & 2 Maccabees; the Torah readings are from the book of Genesis; Jesus’ teachings are from the Gospel of John; the Prophets’ writings are from Joel and Hosea; the Epistles are from James; the stories of Jesus’ life are from the Gospel of Matthew.

July: the Poetical readings are from Proverbs; the OT stories are from Joshua; the Torah readings are from Genesis and Exodus; Jesus’ teachings are from the Gospel of Luke; the Prophets’ writings are from Amos and Obadiah; the Epistles are from Hebrews; the stories of Jesus’ life are from the Gospel of Matthew.

August: the Poetical readings are from Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus (Sirach); the OT stories are from Judges; the Torah readings are from Exodus; Jesus’ teachings are from the Gospel of Mark; the Prophets’ writings are from Micah and Nahum; the Epistles are from Romans; the stories of Jesus’ life are from the Gospel of Mark.

September: the Poetical readings are from Ecclesiastes; the OT stories are from Ruth; the Torah readings are from Leviticus; Jesus’ teachings are about the bread and water of life; the Prophets’ writings are from Habakkuk and Zephaniah; the Epistles are from 1 & 2 Corinthians; the stories of Jesus’ life are about feeding and eating.

October: the Poetical readings are from Job; the OT stories are from the time of the prophet Samuel; the Torah readings are from Leviticus; Jesus’ teachings are about the Kingdom of God; the Prophets’ writings are from Baruch and Haggai; the Epistles are from 1–3 John; the stories of Jesus’ life are from the Gospel of Luke.

November: the Poetical readings are about the pursuit of wisdom; the OT stories are from the time of King Saul; the Torah readings are from Numbers; Jesus’ teachings are from the Beatitudes; the Prophets’ writings are from Zechariah and Malachi; the Epistles are from Philippians; the stories of Jesus’ life are from John’s Gospel and Revelation.

December approximates the seasons of Advent and Christmas: the Poetical readings are about generosity; the OT stories are from the time of King David; the Torah readings are from Numbers; Jesus’ teachings are about the end times; the Prophets’ writings are from Isaiah; the Epistles are from 1–2 Peter; the stories of Jesus’ life are of events leading to his nativity.

These lectionaries are ideal for children, but also for any adult interested in a “reader’s digest” summary of major Bible texts throughout the year. Particularly consider using this with the Morning Office of Family Prayer.

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Here is the same collection of readings arranged to approximate the Daily Office Lectionary.

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Extra-Biblical Lectionary

It is popular, across Christian traditions, to read non-biblical devotions as daily devotions. Historically this particularly drew upon the writings of the Church Fathers. It was also a practice in some monastic orders to hear a chapter from the Rule of St. Benedict in the course of the daily liturgy. In that vein, here is an extra-biblical lectionary rooted in the Anglican tradition. Particularly consider this for Family Prayer at Midday.

Week of… Book Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat.

  • Advent 1-4 Anglican metaphysical poetry…
  • Christmas 1 Athanasius On the Incarnation 1-29
  • Christmas 2 On the Incarnation 30-57
  • Epiphany 1 1 Clement. 1-30
  • Epiphany 2 1 Clement 31-65
  • Epiphany 3 Epistles of Ignatius : Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians
  • Epiphany 4 Ignatius Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrneans, Polycarp
  • Epiphany 5 Epistle of Polycarp, Martyrdom of Polycarp
  • Epiphany 6 Didache, 2 Clement
  • Epiphany 7 Mathetes ad Diognetus, Justin Martyr 1-4
  • Epiphany 8 Justin Martyr’s First Apology 5-27

As in the Communion lectionary, the last week of Epiphany interrupts the numbered weeks.
Skipped weeks will be picked up after Pentecost.

  • Epiphany Last Catechism 1-17, Lent Fathers Daily Devotional
  • Lent 1-6 Lent Fathers Daily Devotional
  • Easter 1 Articles of Religion 1-7
  • Easter 2 Articles 8-14
  • Easter 3 Articles 15-21
  • Easter 4 Articles 22-28
  • Easter 5 Articles 29-35
  • Easter 6 Articles 36-39
  • Ascensiontide Foundational Documents of the 2019 BCP

Starting on the Day of Pentecost, the “Proper” weeks are to be used for this lectionary.

  • Proper 1 Didache, 2 Clement
  • Proper 2 Mathetes ad Diognetus, Justin Marty’r First Apology 1-4
  • Proper 3 Justin M. 5-27
  • Proper 4 Justin M. 28-50
  • Proper 5 Justin M. 51-68
  • Proper 6 Athenagorus 1-12
  • Proper 7 Athenagorus 13-22
  • Proper 8 Athenagorus 23-37
  • Proper 9 of the Anglican Church in North America, “To Be A Christian” 18-39
  • Proper 10 Catechism 40-55
  • Proper 11 Catechism 56-75
  • Proper 12 Catechism 76-94
  • Proper 13 Catechism 95-113
  • Proper 14 Catechism 114-133
  • Proper 15 Catechism 134-153
  • Proper 16 Catechism 154-169
  • Proper 17 Catechism 170-187
  • Proper 18 Catechism 188-204
  • Proper 19 Catechism 205-220
  • Proper 20 Catechism 221-236
  • Proper 21 Catechism 237-251
  • Proper 22 Catechism 252-265
  • Proper 23 Catechism 266-279
  • Proper 24 Catechism 280-295
  • Proper 25 Catechism 296-310
  • Proper 26 Catechism 311-324
  • Proper 27 Catechism 325-341
  • Proper 28 Catechism 342-356
  • Proper 29 Catechism 357-prayers

Special Intercessions

Particular prayers may be offered during a Family Prayer Office; this can be a useful extra-liturgical opportunity for ministers of all sorts to pray for those in their care. Here follow two litanies that may be adapted to individual needs. They should be said immediately before the Lord’s Prayer, and are particularly recommended for Family Prayer in the Early Evening.

PASTORAL LITANY

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful;
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God;
Have mercy upon us.

Part One: for members of the congregation

The following petition may be repeated, each time for an additional parishioner.

That it may please to guide, feed, and protect your servant, N.,

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and brings us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Part Two: for members of the clergy and other ministers

The following petition may be repeated, each time for an additional minister.

That it would please you to confirm, strengthen, and uphold your servant, N.,We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom comes every good and perfect gift: Send down upon our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, and upon the congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of your grace; and, that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Part Three: for family members and relatives

The following petition may be repeated, each time for an additional family member.

That it would please you to remember, bless, and sanctify N.,We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

O Loving Father, we commend to your gracious keeping all who are near and dear to us. Have mercy upon any who are sick, and comfort those who are in pain, anxiety, or sorrow. Awaken all who are careless about eternal things. Bless those who are young and in health, that they may give the days of their strength to you. Comfort the aged and infirm, that your peace may rest upon them. Hallow the ties of kindred, that we may help and not hinder one another in all the good works that you have prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Part Four: for those separated from the Body of Christ

The following petition may be repeated, each time for an additional non-believer.

That it would please you to bring N. to enlightenment, repentance, and conversion,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

O God, who has made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Final Collect

O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

LITANY FOR THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful;
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God;
Have mercy upon us.

We sinners beseech you to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please you to rule and govern your holy Church universal in the right way;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you so to rule the heart of your servant, The President of the United States, that he may above all things seek your honor and glory;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to illuminate all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of your Word; and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to send forth laborers into your harvest;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give to all your people increase of grace to hear meekly your Word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to strengthen those who stand; to comfort and help the weak-hearted; to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligence, and ignorance; and to endue us with the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your holy Word;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

We sinners do beseech you to hear us, O Lord God, and that it may please you to fill us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the work of the ministry and the building up of the body of Christ;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give us power through the Holy Spirit to be your witnesses, in word and deed, in our homes, work, and leisure;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to convert hearts through our ministry and add continually to our number those who are being saved;
We beseech you to hears us, good Lord.
That it may please you to bless our ministry of Word and Sacrament, opening minds to understand the Scriptures and making yourself known in the breaking of bread;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to make us ready always to give an answer to any one who asks the reason for the hope that is within us;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to put it into our hearts to seek out and find your lost sheep, and bring them back into your fold;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to fill us with such love for one another that all may perceive in our midst the presence of Christ and be drawn into his holy fellowship and service;
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Almighty and everlasting God, who endues your church with power from on high on the Day of Pentecost; pour out your Holy Spirit upon this parish and grant unto us all things that are needful for our spiritual welfare; enlighten and guide our clergy and lay workers; strengthen and increase the faithful; visit and relieve the sick; turn and soften the wicked; rouse the negligent and careless; recover the fallen; restore the penitent; remove all hindrances to the advancement of your truth; and bring all to be of one heart and mind within the fold of your holy church; to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Homiletical Lectionary

Much of our classical Anglican heritage has been lost, in practice, for well over a century. This lectionary brings before the worshiper two pieces of 17th century Anglican spirituality that are largely unknown today: summary readings from the Old Testament, and the Book of Homilies. In the original Daily Lectionary, each Sunday interrupted the Daily Office Lectionary’s Old Testament Lesson with a particular chapter. The purpose seems to have been that those who attended church only on Sundays would this way hear a summary of the Old Testament throughout the year in Morning and Evening Prayer. The following lectionary utilizes that feature, instead recommending the original Morning & Evening chapters for Saturday & Sunday, and fills out the weekdays with a suggested Homily to read through. This lectionary is recommended for Family Prayer at the Close of Day.

Week: / Sat. & Sun. / Monday throughFriday Homily

  • Advent 1 Isaiah 1, 2 Reading & Knowledge of Holy Scripture
  • Advent 2 Isaiah 5, 24 Offence at certain places of the Holy Scripture
  • Advent 3 Isaiah 25, 26 Repentance and Reconciliation Parts 1 & 2
  • Advent 4 Isaiah 30, 32 Repentance and Reconciliation Part 3
  • Christmas 1 Isaiah 37, 38 Nativity and Birth of our Savior
  • Christmas 2 Isaiah 41, 43 Nativity and Birth of our Savior (continued)
  • Epiphany 1 Isaiah 44, 46 State of Matrimony
  • Epiphany 2 Isaiah 51, 53 State of Matrimony (continued)
  • Epiphany 3 Isaiah 55, 56 Right Use of the Church
  • Epiphany 4 Isaiah 57, 58 Peril of Idolatry Parts 1 & 2
  • Epiphany 5 Isaiah 59, 64 Peril of Idolatry Part 3, Adorning of Churches
  • Epiphany 6 Isaiah 65, 66 Against the Fear of Death
  • Septuagesima Genesis 1, 2 Concerning Prayer Part 1
  • Sexagesima Genesis 3, 6 Concerning Prayer Part 2
  • Quinquagesima Genesis 9, 12 Concerning Prayer Part 3, Good Works & Fasting 1
  • Lent 1 Genesis 19, 22 Good Works and Fasting Part 2
  • Lent 2 Genesis 27, 34 Against Gluttony and Drunkenness
  • Lent 3 Genesis 39, 42 Alms-deeds and Mercifulness Part 1
  • Lent 4 Genesis 43, 45 Alms-deeds and Mercifulness Part 2
  • Lent 5 Exodus 3, 5 Alms-deeds and Mercifulness Part 3
  • Lent 6 Exodus 9, 10 Good Friday (first and second)
  • Easter Day Exodus 12, 14 Resurrection of our Savior
  • Easter 2 Numbers 16, 22 Place and Time of Prayer Part 1
  • Easter 3 Numbers 23, 25 Place and Time of Prayer Part 2
  • Easter 4 Deuteronomy 4, 5 Ministry in the Vernacular
  • Easter 5 Deuteronomy 6, 7 Rogation Week Part 1
  • Easter 6 Deuteronomy 8, 9 Rogation Week Parts 2 & 3
  • Ascension Sun. Deut. 12, 13 Rogation Procession (Part 4)
  • Pentecost Deut. 16, Wisd. 1 Whit-Sunday Part 1
  • Trinity Sunday Gen. 18, Joshua 1 Whit-Sunday Part 2
  • Trinity 1 Joshua 10, 23 Worthy & Reverent Esteeming of Communion Part 1
  • Trinity 2 Judges 4, 5 Worthy & Reverent Esteeming of Communion Part 2
  • Trinity 3 1 Samuel 2, 3 Christian Love & Charity
  • Trinity 4 1 Samuel 12, 13 Against Excess of Apparel
  • Trinity 5 1 Samuel 15, 17 Dangerous to Fall from God
  • Trinity 6 2 Samuel 12, 21 Against Contention and Brawling Parts 1 & 2
  • Trinity 7 2 Samuel 22, 24 Against Contention and Brawling Part 3
  • Trinity 8 1 Kings 13, 17 Against Swearing & Perjury
  • Trinity 9 1 Kings 18, 19 Against Whoredom and Uncleanness Parts 1 & 2
  • Trinity 10 1 Kings 21, 22 Against Whoredom and Uncleanness Part 3
  • Trinity 11 2 Kings 5, 9 Good Order and Obedience Part 1
  • Trinity 12 2 Kings 10, 18 Good Order and Obedience Part 2
  • Trinity 13 2 Kings 19, 23 Good Order and Obedience Part 3
  • Trinity 14 Jeremiah 5, 22 Against Idleness
  • Trinity 15 Jeremiah 35, 36 Misery of all Mankind
  • Trinity 16 Ezekiel 2, 14 Salvation of all Mankind
  • Trinity 17 Ezekiel 16, 18 True, Lively Christian Faith
  • Trinity 18 Ezekiel 20, 24 Good Works Annexed unto Faith
  • Trinity 19 Daniel 3, 6 Against Disobedience and Rebellion Part 1
  • Trinity 20 Joel 2, Micah 6 Against Disobedience and Rebellion Part 2
  • Trinity 21 Habak. 2, Prov. 1 Against Disobedience and Rebellion Part 3
  • Trinity 22 Proverbs 2, 3 Against Disobedience and Rebellion Part 4
  • Trinity 23 Proverbs 11, 12 Against Disobedience and Rebellion Part 5
  • Trinity 24 Proverbs 13, 14 Against Disobedience and Rebellion Part 6
  • Trinity 25 Proverbs 15, 16 Against the Fear of Death
  • Trinity 26 Proverbs 17, 19 Comely Adorning of Churches

Note that in the traditional calendar there are three Sundays before Lent which cut into the Epiphany season.