Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace.
Morning Prayer: Opening
Also known as BCP Morning Prayer ยท The Order for Morning Prayer
About this prayer
Morning Prayer, called Mattins in earlier editions, is one of the two Daily Offices of the Book of Common Prayer, the other being Evening Prayer. It replaced the medieval services of Matins, Lauds, and Prime with a single vernacular service said daily in English parish churches. Morning Prayer opens with sentences of scripture (a short biblical verse read by the minister), an exhortation to confession, the General Confession said by the congregation, and an Absolution pronounced by the priest. It then proceeds through versicles and responses, the Venite (Psalm 95), psalms for the day, Old and New Testament lessons, the Te Deum or Benedicite, the Benedictus or Jubilate, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the three collects. The opening texts given here cover the exhortation and the beginning of the service.
When it's said
Morning Prayer is the daily morning office of the Church of England and is said in Anglican parish churches, cathedrals, and chapels every morning. In cathedral and collegiate churches it is sung as choral Mattins. In many parishes it was replaced as the main Sunday service by the Eucharist during the 20th century, though it remains the principal service in many traditional Anglican and conservative evangelical churches.
Notes on the text
The opening exhortation is composed by Thomas Cranmer and draws on scriptural language throughout. The phrase 'dissemble nor cloke' means to conceal or disguise. The exhortation leads directly into the General Confession, which is said by the congregation in response to this invitation.
Composed by Thomas Cranmer for the Book of Common Prayer, 1549; 1662 form used here. Public domain.
Last reviewed: May 2026 against primary source.