Say the Nicene Creed to reaffirm your faith, praising God for its truths.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things, visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven. He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. I believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic church, and I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. ('The Nicene Creed' - said since the fourth century)
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, so that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Recite the Ten Commandments, praying the Lord would work them into your mind, heart and will.
God spoke all these words saying: I am the Lord your God.
You shall have no gods other than me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol (in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath, or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them nor worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who punishes the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but I show love to thousands who love me and keep my commandments).
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, (for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name).
Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy. (Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, or the foreigner living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Honour your father and your mother (so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you).
You shall not commit murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour
You shall not covet (your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, his maidservant, his ox or donkey, nor anything that belongs to him).
Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep these laws.
Pause to call to mind your sins against these commandments.
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men, [I] acknowledge and confess our many sins, which we have committed by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty, that should provoke most justly your wrath and indignation against us. [I] earnestly repent, and [am] truly sorry for all our misdoings. The memory of them grieves [me]. The burden of them can be more than [I] can bear. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us, most merciful Father. For your Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake forgive us all that is past, and by a powerful indwelling of your Holy Spirit, cause us to put our sins to death, living self-controlled, humble and joyful lives, forever serving and pleasing you, to the honour and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sing or listen to a hymn.
Read and pray home your Bible readings for today.
Offer other personal or written prayers such as the week's collect, or pray home the following intercession from the Book of Common Prayer:
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth.
Almighty and everliving God, who by your holy Apostle has taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men: We humbly beseech you most mercifully to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto your Divine Majesty.
We beseech you to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant, that all they that do confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word, and live in unity, and godly love.
We beseech you also to save and defend all Christian Rulers and Governors; and specially thy servant ELIZABETH our Queen; that under her we may be godly and quietly governed: And grant unto her whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under her, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of your true religion, and virtue.
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Ministers of the Gospel, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth your true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer your holy Sacraments:
And to all your people give your heavenly grace; and specially to our congregation; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive your holy Word; truly serving you in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
And we most humbly beseech you of your goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
And we also bless your holy Name for all your servants departed this life in your faith and fear; beseeching you to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of your heavenly kingdom: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
Pray the Lord's Prayer: Our Father in heaven...