BCP Matins

This much-loved service, written in the 17th century, and with language which is more than a little Shakespearean, is making something of a comeback in the 21st century among younger folk in various parts of the country. A great deal of prayer and thought went into the wonderful rhythm with which this treasury of distilled wisdom leads us along. Often said as a daily ‘office’, even among those at home alone, the language invites us to pause over many of the beautiful phrases, and ponder on our relationship with our powerful and loving God. We are invited, in the first prayer, to accompany the minister ‘with a pure heart and humble voice unto the throne of heavenly grace’ – and we end by praying that we may be granted ‘in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting’.