Planning your prayer service

The following are some guidelines to keep in mind when you are planning your prayer service. We would recommend that you use the prayer planners as an aid to preparing your liturgies.

The Basic Principles

1. Keep in mind who is coming to pray.
2. Have a structure.
3. Be sure to include a scripture reading.
4. Make sure that the people gathered participate in the prayer - do NOT pray "AT" people.
5. Try to use symbols that are part of our Christian identity: cross, water, candles, etc.
6. Repetition is Good.
7. When planning music, make sure there are not too many new songs
8. Include time for petition.
9. If possible, try to put together some kind of "worship aid" or order of service for the participants.
10. Be certain that the people in different ministries (leader/presider, reader, music ministers, etc.) are well prepared.

Sample Structure of a Simple Prayer Service

• Opening Song/Call To Worship
• Opening Prayer
• Scripture
• Musical Response: preferably a Psalm
• Silence
• Petitions
• The Lord's Prayer
• Blessing
• Sign of Peace

Morning and Evening Prayer

A. What is it? What are the elements? 

Morning and Evening prayer are one of the oldest prayer forms of the Church, "The Liturgy of the Hours." The liturgy of the hours actually predates out tradition of the celebration of the Eucharist, and originally was a communal gathering of prayer, prayed together usually in smaller groupings of people. Throughout history, the Liturgy of the Hours (also known as "The Divine Office") unfortunately became a more exclusive prayer form for priests and religious communities, and developed more as a personal prayer form. At the Second Vatican Council, there was a call to once again discover this ancient and rich prayer form to once again be returned to the people, as a rhythm of prayer for the entire Church. What follows is a clear basic outline of the structure of this prayer that can be utilised in your local setting, for a wide variety of occasion

1. Opening Dialogue/Invitatory
   This acts as a call to worship for those who have gathered. Usually led by the presider/leader, this can be sung or recited.
   
2. Opening Song
   A strophic hymn (rather than a “refrain—verse” form of song) that is familiar to the group gathered works best.
   
3. Opening Prayer
   A short gathering prayer, led by the presider.
   
4. Psalmody
   Psalms are a central part of morning and evening prayer and should be carefully considered in your planning. One or more may be used. Refrain/verse or strophic settings both can work well.
   
   For Morning Prayer, Psalm 63 is considered to the traditional morning psalm. However, for Lent, Psalm 51 is commonly substituted. The liturgical season should be considered, as well as the nature of the gathering. Other choices for Morning Prayer are Psalms 5, 8, 33, 42, 47, 66, 72, 80, 85, 93, 95, 98, 100, 118, 148, 149 and 150.
   
   For Evening Prayer, Psalm 141 Is considered to be the standard. Once again, the season should be considered. Other appropriate choices for Evening Prayer would be Psalm 4, 19, 23. 27, 84, 91, 104, 110, 117, 118, 121, 122, 13O, 136, 139 and 145.
   
5. Psalm Prayers
   A prayer preceded by a good period of silence should follow each psalm.
   
6. Scripture
   When choosing scripture for your service, be attentive to the season, the group that will be present, as well as the circumstances that bring them together. The scripture should never be omitted. Typically, these choices would not come from any of the Gospels, but usually a reading from the Hebrew Scriptures, The Acts of the Apostles, or one of the many New Testament letters. A homily is not typically a part of morning and evening prayer. However, circumstances might call for a short homily or reflection. But this should be an exception, not the rule. A period Of Silence should follow.
   
7. Gospel Canticle
   The Canticle of Zachary is the traditional canticle appointed for Morning Prayer, as is the Canticle of Mary for Evening Prayer. Other canticles from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament are also possible choices.
8. Intercessions
   The General Intercessions traditionally are sung during Morning and Evening Prayer. Again, keep in mind the needs of those who are gathered, the season, what is going on in the world, etc., when composing these prayers. You may also want to invite spontaneous prayer offered by the community gathered.
9. The Lord’s Prayer
   This prayer should ALWAYS be prayed by all. If you choose a sung setting, it must be one that is very well known by the assembly. Reciting the Lord’s Prayer tends to work the best in this regard.
10. Final Blessing
    This may be sung or recited.
11. Sign of Peace
    The prayer ends very simply, with the community sharing the sign of peace. No final song of hymn is needed.

B. Basic Elements?

The elements listed above can be adapted, when time is a factor. At the very minimum, the following elements should always be included

•  A song to gather the group together
  
• A Psalm
  
• Scripture
  
• Intercessions
  
• The Lord's Prayer
  
• Final Blessing
  

C. Ministries

When planning and celebrating Morning and Evening Prayer, the following ministers are needed

Presider (leader of Prayer)
This can be done by anyone, it is not required that it be a priest or deacon. Lay people (women and men, young and old) should be encouraged to be formed in this role

Reader
This should be someone other than the preside

Ministers of Hospitality
Like any liturgical gathering, there should be people appointed to greet and welcome the community when they gather

Ministers of Music
This can take a variety of forms, but the role of cantor is critical, even more so than a choir or ensemble. Instrumentation can be simple (or even accapella) or more developed, depending on your resources

The content on this page was compiled by Lori True and David Haas. Copyright © 2000 Music Ministry Alive/The Emmaus Center. All Rights Reserved.