Daytime Prayer is part of the Church’s call to pray without ceasing. It is meant to sanctify the working hours of the day by drawing the soul back to God during moments when the world may otherwise distract us. While it is brief in form, Daytime Prayer renews your awareness of God’s presence and invites you to pause, reflect, and offer your work and concerns to Him. It may be prayed midmorning, midday, or midafternoon—traditionally referred to as Terce, Sext, and None—but only one is required. What follows is a simple and clear guide to praying Daytime Prayer using the breviary.
1. Begin with the opening verse
Turn to the Ordinary section of your breviary and begin with the words, “O God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.” Then pray the Glory Be to the Father. Outside of Lent and penitential seasons, you may add “Alleluia.” This familiar opening invites you to turn your thoughts back to God in the midst of the day and reminds you that you are not alone in your work or rest.
2. Sing or recite the hymn
After the opening verse, continue with the hymn. You may find a hymn for Daytime Prayer in the Ordinary, the Psalter for the day, or the Proper of the season or feast. Some breviaries provide different hymns for Terce, Sext, and None, but if you are praying just one Daytime Prayer, you may choose any of the appropriate hymns. Singing is always preferred if possible, but quiet recitation is perfectly acceptable. The hymn lifts the mind and heart and helps refocus your attention on God.
3. Pray the three psalms or psalm sections
The psalmody of Daytime Prayer consists of three short psalms or portions of psalms. Each is introduced and concluded with an antiphon. These are usually taken from the Psalter of the day, based on the four-week cycle, and they vary by time of day—Terce, Sext, or None. If you are praying only one Daytime Prayer, many breviaries allow you to choose the psalms most appropriate to the time. On feasts and solemnities, the breviary may direct you to use special psalms or antiphons from the Proper of Saints or Commons. Pray each psalm slowly, pausing after each one to let its message rest in your heart.
4. Read the short scripture passage
Following the psalms, read the short scripture passage provided for the hour. There are usually separate readings for Terce, Sext, and None, and each is just a few verses in length. These readings are simple but often contain a powerful message that reminds you of God’s presence and purpose in your day. Read the passage carefully and quietly, and pause briefly afterward to reflect.
5. Pray the brief responsory
After the reading, recite the brief responsory. This is usually only one or two lines, often repeated, and it helps tie the reading to your prayer. The responsory serves as a short meditation, a way of letting the Word of God echo in your heart as you continue through the hour.
6. Pray the concluding prayer
Next, turn to the concluding prayer. This prayer changes daily and may be found in the Psalter for the day or in the Proper of Seasons or Saints, depending on the liturgical calendar. On ordinary weekdays, the prayer is brief and focused on grace, protection, or perseverance. It gathers your psalms and readings into a final offering to God before you return to your daily duties.
7. End with the blessing and dismissal
Finish Daytime Prayer with the final blessing. If you are praying alone, say, “May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.” If a priest or deacon is present, he may give a formal blessing. This simple conclusion reminds you that you have turned your heart toward God, and that His presence will go with you into the rest of your day.
8. Choose the most appropriate time and form
While the Church offers Terce (midmorning), Sext (midday), and None (midafternoon) as three separate hours, it is not required to pray all three. Most laypeople pray one Daytime Prayer per day. Choose the time that best fits your schedule. If your workday allows for a short break, that can become your moment to pause and pray. The psalms and readings for each hour are similar in structure and length, but differ slightly in content. If you prefer, you may always pray the complementary psalms assigned for general Daytime Prayer, found in many breviaries after Morning Prayer.
9. Mark your breviary ahead of time
To make Daytime Prayer smooth and prayerful, take a moment to mark your breviary before you begin. You will need to place a ribbon in the Ordinary for the structure, another in the Psalter for the day’s psalms and antiphons, and one in the Proper of Seasons or Saints if the calendar calls for it. If you are praying Terce, Sext, or None specifically, be sure to turn to the page for the correct hour. Using bookmarks or ribbons makes it easier to move through the pages without distraction.
Praying Daytime Prayer helps bring God into the quiet spaces of your day. It is short enough to pray in ten minutes, but deep enough to lift your mind to heaven. It connects you to the universal Church, where others are praying the same words throughout the world. Whether in the middle of work, study, or rest, Daytime Prayer reminds you that every moment belongs to God, and that He is with you always.
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy