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Worship in Word & sacrament

Morning Prayer: A Space to Reorient

“One thing is necessary.” — Luke 10:42


In the midst of a busy week, it is easy to become distracted by our to-do lists and the weight of the problems we face. Morning Prayer at Christ Church is a place to lay those things aside. It is a quiet, simple, and elegant service that helps reorient your day and your heart toward the Lord.


You might wonder: Why use a prayer book instead of just praying from the heart?
 The beauty of these ancient prayers is that they carry us when we are too tired or distracted to find our own words. By praying them together, these words move from the page and lodge themselves in our hearts. They become a vocabulary of faith that God uses to speak back to us exactly when we need it most. It is the difference between trying to build a path while you walk it, and simply following a well-worn trail that leads you home.

Join Us

  • When: Tuesday Mornings at 9:00 AM
  • Where: Christ Church Oakhurst
  • Duration: 30 minutes

What is Morning Prayer?

Morning Prayer (historically called Matins) is part of the “Daily Office”—a pattern of prayer and scripture reading that Christians have practiced for centuries. While it feels timeless, its purpose is very practical: it is a “divine duty” (officium divinum) that ensures we are saturated in the Word of God.

A Two-Way Conversation We believe prayer is a two-way communication. God is not distant; He still speaks to us through His Word. By gathering for the Office, we don’t just petition God for our needs. We listen to Him. When we pray, we never pray alone; we join with the Communion of Saints, the intercession of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Flow of the Service

If you are new to the Book of Common Prayer (2019), here is what you can expect during our 30 minutes together:

  • Confession & Scripture: We begin by centering ourselves through a corporate confession, letting go of what separates us from God, and hearing an opening sentence of Scripture that sets the tone for the season.
  • The Psalms & Lessons: The heart of the service is the Bible. We follow a “Lectionary” designed so that the whole of the Bible is read regularly.
  • The Canticles: These are “little songs of worship”—ancient poems and songs from Scripture (like the Venite or Benedictus) that have been sung by Christians for over 1,500 years.
  • The Apostles’ Creed: We profess our faith using this ancient baptismal creed. By saying “I believe,” we make a personal profession of faith alongside our community.
  • Prayers & Intercessions: We pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Collect of the Day, and specific prayers for peace and grace. We also leave space for extemporaneous prayer, where you are welcome to speak out loud the names or needs on your heart.
  • The General Thanksgiving: This unique Anglican prayer ends our time by thanking God for His work as our Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer.

Common Questions

Do I need to bring anything?
 We use the 2019 Book of Common Prayer. If you don’t have one, we have copies available for you to use.

Is it okay if I just want to sit and listen?
 Absolutely. Many find that simply being present in the rhythm of the liturgy provides the “quiet” they need to face the rest of their Tuesday