Indeed, in my own church, we long had a hymn or contemporary song of praise in addition to the Gloria. Although this provokes the ire of hymns-only traditionalists, this can rightly capture the spirit of the modern prayer book (and traditional Roman) rite, as the Gloria is a song of pure praise.

I know lots of congregations that have a contemporary “praise and worship set” in place of the Gloria. Now that’s a much more sober (or sobering) way to reflect upon the reception of the consecrated elements! It’s also interesting to note that in Lutheran tradition they tend to keep the Gloria in its traditional (Roman) position near the beginning after the Kyrie but also have a special post-communion canticle like the Prayer Book tradition, though in their case the Nunc dimittis. So the flow of penitence-to-praise at the beginning of the service doesn’t really apply, but the celebration post-communion is certainly much grander. The reason for saving the Gloria for that point in the liturgy is that there it functions as an expression of unadulterated praise to God in light of his saving work on the Cross that we have just memorialized in prayer and received in the Sacrament. Thus, when we read in the rubric on page 107 & 125 that the Gloria “may be sung or said”, what we ought to see here is the permission to save it for its traditional placement near the end of the liturgy. What many don’t realize is the peculiar tradition of the classical Anglican Prayer Books in placing the Gloria after the Communion and Post-Communion Prayer! It is appropriate to omit the song of praise during penitential seasons and days appointed for fasting.įor those who grew up accustomed to the Roman Rite or the 1979 Prayer Book, this is expected – the Gloria is the standard historic hymn of praise following the Kyrie, signalling the movement from penitence to absolution, from abjection to joy, from unworthiness in God’s sight to worthiness, from fear to perfect love. The Gloria or some other song of praise may be sung or said, all standing. He is worthy of our praise.After the penitential rite at the beginning of the Communion service follows this rubric: Even in our trials and struggles, we must see that He keeps us from going under. Finally, because of what He has promised. Reason number two, because of what He does in our lives. We always have reasons to celebrate our God: reason number one, because of who He is.

However, he never ceased celebrating the LORD enthusiastically. The psalmist David, knew how difficult hardships could be. Just because we go through difficulties, we should not focus on our situations and shut Him out. Even in our storms and sadness we are to give Him our undistracted praise.

(2) Everyday I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.”īecause every believer experiences the abundant grace of God every minute of every day, the praise and worship of God is not optional, it is a necessity. “I will extol, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.

Undistracted praise