Daytime Prayer (The Little Hours)

The hymns selected for use with the Daytime Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours reflect the varying themes of the "Little Hours" of the Office: Midmorning (Terce), Midday (Sext), and Mid-Afternoon (None). The modern Daytime Prayer has been arranged in such a way that the faithful can choose any one of these canonical hours and not miss any of the Psalms in the 4-week cycle; or if obliged or so desired, can pray all three of the hours. "Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times." - General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
- Midmorning (Terce) -

18. Breathe on Me, Breath of God

19. From All That Dwell Below the Skies (with Alleluias)

20. From All That Dwell Below the Skies

21. Father, Lord of Earth and Heaven
22. Holy Spirit, Come Confirm Us
23. Come, Holy Ghost, Who Ever One

127. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, Come

128. The Spirit of God

129. Holy Spirit, God of Light

130. Splendor of Creation (Send Forth Your Spirit)

- Midday (Sext) -
24. Help Us, O Lord
25. Lord of All Hopefullness
26. Lord of All Being, Throned Afar
27. Almighty Ruler, God of Truth
- Mid-Afternoon (None) -
13. God Father, Praise and Glory
28. Firmly I Believe and Truly
29. Lord God and Maker of All Things
30. Most Ancient of All Mysteries
31. Faith of Our Fathers
82. Sing Praise to Our Creator

131. All Hail, Adored Trinity

133. Come Thou Almighty King

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
- Daytime Prayer -
O Blessèd Lord, Creator God
- Midmorning (Terce) -
Come, Holy Spirit, Live in Us
- Midday (Sext) -
Lord God and Maker of All Things
- Mid-Afternoon (None) -
Eternal Father, Loving God

Liturgical Guide: Midday Prayer (Sext)

"About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray." - Acts 10:9

The hymns selected for Midday Prayer (Sext) in the Divine Office reflect the hour's theme of battle with sin. The sun is at it's zenith; the heat of the day at it's strongest. Likewise, we too - caught up with the day's cares and the allurements of the world; feel and see most clearly the powers and influence of evil. It was from this time, the sixth hour (Noon) till 3PM that Our Savior hung upon the Cross with Hell bringing all it's forces to bear against him. For more information see: Daytime Prayer.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
24. Help Us, O Lord
25. Lord of All Hopefullness
26. Lord of All Being, Throned Afar
27. Almighty Ruler, God of Truth

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Lord God and Maker of All Things
O Blessèd Lord, Creator God

ROMAN BREVIARY (1962)
Rector Potens Verax Deus

O God of Truth and Lord of Power / Rector Potens Verax Deus

Whose Fiery Sun at Noonday Shines

O God of Truth and Lord of Power is an 1852 translation by the Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer John M. Neale of the Office hymn for Sext: Rec­tor Po­tens, Ver­ax De­us, attributed to St. Am­brose of Mi­lan (337-397). In the Divine Office (1974), O God of Truth and Lord of Power is used with the Office of Readings. The recommended tune in the Office is Severn View. An alternative tune that can also be used is Winchester New, as featured in the following video.


Tune: Winchester New

O GOD OF TRUTH, O LORD OF MIGHT by John Mason Neale, 1852 (Public Domain)

1. O God of truth, O Lord of might,
Who ord’rest time and change aright,
Bright’ning the morn with golden gleams,
Kindling the noonday’s fiery beams.

2. Quench Thou in us the flame of strife,
From passion’s heat preserve our life,
Our bodies keep from perils free,
And give our souls true peace in Thee.

3. Almighty Father, hear my cry
Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high,
Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee
Doth live and reign eternally.


Gregorian

RECTOR POTENS, VERAX DEUS

1. Rector potens, verax Deus,
qui temperas rerum vices,
splendore mane instruis
et ignibus meridiem,

2. Extingue flammas litium,
aufer calorem noxium,
confer salutem corporum
veramque pacem cordium.

3. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.
 
Ambrosian