Prayer Hours

Canonical hours (sometimes also called Daily Offices) are the services of the daily prayer of the church in which Holy Communion is not celebrated. Historically there were eight offices conducted at three hour intervals over a 24-hour period: Matins (night office), Lauds (at dawn), Prime (beginning of the day), Terce (9 am), Sext (noon), Nones (3 pm), Vespers (close of the day), and Compline (before bed). This practice has its origin in the Old Testament tradition of praying at fixed hours of the day. 

Among Christians their development was first domestic use in the home, then congregational, then monastic and clerical by the time of the Reformation. Cyprian, the 3^rd century bishop of Carthage, attached symbolic meanings to each hour of prayer. Prayer at the break of the day is observed in celebration of our Lord’s rising from the grave.  At the third hour the believer is to call to mind the descent of the Holy Spirit and condemnation of the Savior. The prayer at noon is to commemorate the crucifixion. The ninth hour observes when Christ washed away the sin of mankind by His blood. The final prayer of the day is in praise of Christ who brought light into darkness of the world. The Lutheran Reformers retained two of these offices, Matins and Vespers, while a third, Compline has been used at various times and places and is include in LSB.

Matins (LSB pg. 219), meaning “of the morning,” was the prayer office originally attached the office of Lauds and conducted at the break of the day. Eventually it became a distinct office focused on preaching, prayer and praise. It is focused on God’s blessing, protection, and guidance as the Christian prepares for his work of the day.  Morning Prayer (LSB pg. 235) is similar to Matins.

Vespers (LSB pg. 229), meaning “evening,” was originally known as lucernarium, as candles or lamps were lit during the service. It was originally part of the night office, but transferred to early evening later on in medieval times. It is similar in style to Matins, but focuses on God’s protection during the night and thanksgiving for the day. Evening Prayer (LSB pg. 243) is similar to Vespers and begins with the “Service of Light” focusing on Jesus as the light of the world (John 8:12; 1:5).

Compline, or Prayer at the Close of the Day, (LSB pg. 253) is the final prayer office of the day originating in the monasteries of the 4^th century. It was used before retiring to bed for the night and is solemn in nature.