Many people want to "take on" a discipline for Lent rather than "give up" something. One of the disciplines that many Episcopalians--and other Christians--wistfully think about taking on is the regimen of structured daily prayer that includes the course-reading of Scripture. Forty Days: The Daily Office for Lent offers an accessible, doable, toe-in-the-water introduction to the private recitation of Morning and/or Evening Prayer . CONTENTS Rite two morning and evening prayer the Book of Common Prayer - The collects, and all Bible readings for both lectionary years, from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday - The Psalter as prescribed and edited for each day in Lent - An office proper for St. Joseph [March 19] and the Annunciation [March 25] Frank L. Tedeschiwas previouslythe executive editor at Church Publishing Inc. and the publisher's representative with the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. He is the editor of 40 Days: The Daily Office for Lent, Ministry with the Sick, and several other CPI liturgical books. He lives in New York City. 40 Days THE DAILY OFFICE FOR LENT By Frank L. Tedeschi Church Publishing Incorporated Copyright © 2006 Church Publishing Incorporated All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-89869-517-5 Contents Some Explanations and Help for the Reader..................................vMorning Prayer.............................................................1Noonday Prayer.............................................................24Evening Prayer.............................................................28Compline...................................................................42Suggested Canticles at Morning Prayer......................................49Suggested Canticles at Evening Prayer......................................50Year One Readings..........................................................Ash Wednesday and the Days Following.......................................51Week of 1 Lent.............................................................57Week of 2 Lent.............................................................69Week of 3 Lent.............................................................81Week of 4 Lent.............................................................94Week of 5 Lent.............................................................106Holy Week..................................................................121Year Two Readings..........................................................Ash Wednesday and the Days Following.......................................135Week of 1 Lent.............................................................141Week of 2 Lent.............................................................154Week of 3 Lent.............................................................167Week of 4 Lent.............................................................181Week of 5 Lent.............................................................196Holy Week..................................................................211Holy Days..................................................................St. Joseph (March 19)......................................................223Annunciation Eve (March 24)................................................225The Annunciation (March 25)................................................226The Psalms for Lent (used in both years)...................................Ash Wednesday and the Days Following.......................................229Week of 1 Lent.............................................................245Week of 2 Lent.............................................................271Week of 3 Lent.............................................................298Week of 4 Lent.............................................................325Week of 5 Lent.............................................................353Holy Week..................................................................379Psalms for the Holy Days...................................................St. Joseph (March 19)......................................................403Annunciation Eve (March 24)................................................406The Annunciation (March 25)................................................407 CHAPTER 1 Year One Ash Wednesday A Reading (Lesson) from the Book of Jonah [3:1–4:11] The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up,go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tellyou." So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word ofthe Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days'walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. Andhe cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" Andthe people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone,great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached theking of Nineveh, he rose from his throne,