Four Minutes
For the days you have nothing left · about 4 minutes
Six parts, in this order: an opening line, one psalm, the Lord’s Prayer, a prayer for the world, a word from the Gospel, a blessing. Say the bold lines out loud, or read them.
Opening
One line. You do not need to feel anything for this to be real.
God, come to my help. Lord, hurry to help me.
One psalm
In plain wordsGod cares for us the way a good shepherd cares for sheep: rest, a safe path, and company in the dark. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures;he leads me beside still waters;he restores my soul.He leads me in right pathsfor his name’s sake.Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I fear no evil;for you are with me;your rod and your staff—they comfort me.You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the LORDmy whole life long.
Psalm 23 · NRSV · Other translations
Show the older wording (King James)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Show the contemporary form
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, 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.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9–13. Historic text of the Western church. English Language Liturgical Consultation. Read this in another translation
Both forms are in current use. Pray whichever one you learned.
A prayer for the world
One line, for someone beyond yourself.
For the hungry, the homeless, and all who have nowhere safe to go. Lord, have mercy.
Reading
In plain wordsJesus invites anyone who is worn out to come to him. A yoke is the wooden frame that lets two animals share a load. He offers to carry it with you.
28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30 · NRSV · Other translations
Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favour and give you peace.
Show the older wording
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24–26. Historic text of the Western church. King James Version. Public domain.
Amen.