Opening Preces
These versicles and responses occur at the beginning of the Daily Offices: “Lord open our lips” at Morning Prayer (BCP, pp. 42, 80; The Hymnal 1982, S 1, S 33) and “O God make speed to save us” at the other offices (BCP, pp. 63, 103, 117, 128; The Hymnal 1982, S 26, S 33). Although they are the traditional opening of the office, they may follow the opening sentences and the confession of sin. They always follow the confession at Compline. The term is from the Latin for “prayers.”
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.