The Daily Office

As part of out Lent Course 'Lord, teach us to pray,' we explored the origins and spirituality of the 'Daily Office.' As a Church, we follow the pattern of Morning and Evening Prayer, and you are invited to join in:

8.30 am Monday to Saturday in the Chapel and on Zoom.

5.00pm Monday to Friday on Zoom only

Please do read on, or email Lucy vicar@standrewsbedford if you would like to know more.

Experineces of the Daily Office

'My experience of Morning Prayer began in February 2021 on Zoom.  During the COVID pandemic I was looking for an opportunity to participate more actively and a small group praying together daily helped me to do that.  The Daily Prayer app provides the format, readings and psalms for each day.  The prayers of intercession are written by the leader and cover the day and its tasks, the needs of the world and the life of the church.

 In July 2021 Morning Prayer moved into the chapel so there was a choice between being online at home or attending in person. 

I feel nearer to God in the chapel and this has made the experience of MP much more meaningful.  I have become more attentive to the needs of our church family, and to the news and current affairs.  This knowledge informs my prayers, making them more relevant.  It is also the perfect opportunity to voice concerns knowing that God is listening and will act.

 I like the structure and rhythm of Morning Prayer.  The familiar pattern and being part of a group is very supportive.  I like taking turns to read verses of the psalms and the Benedictus, and there are always ‘volunteers’ to read the Bible passages. During the pandemic Morning Prayer helped me to feel useful, that I could pray to help others, be active and instrumental and make a difference.

 Attending Morning Prayer regularly has been transformative in my approach to God.  I am more confident and my own prayer life is richer.  It has made me bolder in my relationship with God so that my faith permeates my whole life.  I feel more rooted, secure and grounded.  The psalms, in particular, have been a source of comfort and encouragement, a constant reminder of God’s power, compassion and eternal love.  As my trust in God has deepened so has trust in myself.' 

Diane Barlow

'I find morning prayer a very helpful way to start the day. Diane introduced it to me after I shared with her various worries I had.

It is very helpful to pray together to offer our prayers to God, to remember those who have asked for our prayers at St. Andrew’s and to pray for world events that are out of our immediate control but are of concern.

We pray for those in the wider Anglican communion and for our own diocese of St. Alban’s  parish by parish throughout the year bringing the feeling that we are closer together working to share the good news of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

I have found that sharing the Psalms on a daily basis has given me more perspective on the Old Testament which I have found quite challenging in the past. To read from the Old Testament and then the New Testament is a really helpful way to get a balanced view and food for thought.'

Liz Lacey

The Development and Spirituality of the Daily Office

The Daily Office has its roots in the very earliest Church. In the Acts of the Apostles, Christians are already using the Psalms in worship—something that remains central to Morning and Evening Prayer today. A first-century text, the Didache, encouraged believers to pray the Lord’s Prayer three times a day.

By the 2nd and 3rd centuries, early Christian teachers shaped a rhythm of daily prayer: morning and evening, plus set times during the day (9am, noon, and 3pm), recalling key moments in Christ’s Passion. Some, like Hippolytus, spoke of praying seven times a day. These regular prayers became known as the “Office,” meaning the Church’s official prayer.

In monasteries, this rhythm deepened. The Rule of St Benedict (c.530) organised nine daily prayer times, weaving prayer, scripture, and praise through the whole day and night. Cathedrals and parish churches later adopted simpler versions.

At the Reformation, when monasteries were dissolved, this shared rhythm of prayer was at risk. Thomas Cranmer’s Book of Common Prayer brought it into parish life, combining the monastic hours into two main services: Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. These were designed for everyone—clergy and laity alike—and aimed to root daily life in scripture and prayer.

Today, the structure remains familiar: psalms, Bible readings, and canticles, shaped by the Church’s year. Clergy in the Church of England still commit to praying the Office daily, holding before God the needs of their communities and the wider world.

Spiritually, the Daily Office offers a steady rhythm of prayer, grounding us in scripture and reminding us to pray for ourselves and for others. Though fewer churches now gather for it daily, it remains a rich gift—both personal and shared—for those seeking a faithful pattern of life with God.