Electric See Chapel

September 2026

The Chapel archive contains Daily Office readings and reflections that have already been delivered.

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September 5, 2026

Morning Prayer

Feria (Green);Eve of Trinity XIV (Green)

Psalms: Psalm 24, 26

King James Version

1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. 1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5 I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. 9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

First Lesson: 2 Kings 20

King James Version

1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. 7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? 9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. 11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. 12 At that time Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. 14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. 15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. 16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. 17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? 20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

Second Lesson: Ephesians 2:1-10

King James Version

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Reflection

“But God, who is rich in mercy.” Those words are among the sweetest in Holy Scripture, and they stand at the turning-point of St Paul’s argument. He has described us as dead in trespasses and sins, walking according to the course of this world, ruled by disordered desires. Then comes the great contrast: “But God.” Our salvation begins not with our improvement, nor with a promise that we shall henceforth manage rather better, but with the mercy and love of God.

That mercy is not merely pardon from a distance. God “hath quickened us together with Christ,” raised us, and made us to sit with Christ in heavenly places. The Christian life is therefore not an attempt to make ourselves presentable before God. It is the life of people whom God has already taken from death to life in his Son. As our own Articles rightly teach, we are justified by faith only—not because good works are worthless, but because they are not the price by which we purchase God’s favour. The price is Christ’s; the gift is God’s.

Yet St Paul is equally clear about what this gift produces: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Grace does not leave a man untouched. The Lord does not merely rescue us from the old life; he gives us a new calling within the new life. We are made anew in Christ, and then taught to walk.

That word “walk” brings us back to the Psalms. “I have walked in mine integrity,” says the Psalmist; “I have walked in thy truth.” He asks, “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” These are bold words, but they are not the boasting of a man who imagines himself sinless. The same Psalmist says, “Redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” His confidence rests not in his own perfection, but in the loving-kindness of God which is “before his eyes.”

So the clean hands and pure heart of Psalm 24 are not a ladder by which we climb up to God. They are the fruit of belonging to the King of glory. The question is not whether we can present a spotless record, but whether, having received mercy, we are willing to be made truthful and clean by the Lord. The Christian must not cherish deceit, vanity, or double-mindedness. We are to turn from the habits that once governed us and to walk in the good works God has prepared.

The story of Hezekiah gives us a searching example. He is sick unto death, and he prays. The Lord hears his prayer, sees his tears, and grants him fifteen additional years. This is sheer mercy. But the later part of the chapter reminds us that a mercifully extended life is still a life for which account must be given. Hezekiah shows Babylon all his treasures, and Isaiah warns him of the consequences. He had received life, but he did not yet possess perfect wisdom in how to use it.

That is a useful warning for us. God’s mercies are not trophies to be displayed as though they proved our greatness. Our health, time, possessions, position, and opportunities are entrusted to us. The right response to mercy is not self-congratulation, but faithful stewardship. “What hast thou that thou didst not receive?” The life restored by God must be offered back to God.

And here is our comfort: the Lord does not wait for us to become finished works before he receives us. We are his workmanship. He is the craftsman; we are the work in progress. His grace is the beginning, the strength, and the goal of our obedience. Let us therefore ask him to examine our hearts, cleanse our hands, and teach us to walk in the good works he has appointed—not to earn his love, but because, in Christ, we have already received it.

The King of glory comes to his people with mercy. Let us open the gates of our lives, that his grace may make us faithful servants of his kingdom.

Evening Prayer

Feria (Green);Eve of Trinity XIV (Green)

Psalms: Psalm 25

King James Version

1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD. 8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

First Lesson: 2 Chronicles 33

King James Version

1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4 Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 7 And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: 8 Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses. 9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. 14 Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. 15 And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. 16 And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. 17 Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only. 18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. 19 His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers. 20 So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead. 21 Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem. 22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them; 23 And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. 24 And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house. 25 But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

Second Lesson: John 5:24-end

King James Version

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Reflection

“Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

Those words of our Lord are among the most searching in the Gospel. The people to whom he spoke were not strangers to religion. They knew the Scriptures; they honoured Moses; they could discuss the law and the promises of God. Yet they would not come to Christ. Their knowledge had not become faith, and their religion had not become life.

That danger is not confined to those who first heard our Lord. It is possible to be familiar with holy things, to attend worship, to value the Bible, and yet to keep Christ at a safe distance. We may know about him without entrusting ourselves to him. We may admire his teaching without allowing his word to judge and govern us.

Our Lord therefore begins with a promise: “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” To hear Christ is more than to let his words pass through the ears. It is to receive them as the word of the Son sent by the Father. It is to believe—not merely that he exists, but that he is the giver of life, and to place our hope in him.

This promise is wonderfully present-tense. The Christian does not merely hope that, at some distant day, life may be granted. In Christ, he has already passed from death unto life. The resurrection to come is certain because the life of the risen Lord has already begun in him. Nevertheless, the same Lord reminds us that all shall one day hear his voice and come forth: some to the resurrection of life, and some to the resurrection of condemnation. Grace is free, but it is not trivial. The voice which gives life also judges the living and the dead.

The history of Manasseh gives us a solemn and encouraging illustration. He had led Judah into grievous sin. He had filled the Lord’s house with idols and taught the people to do worse than the heathen. Yet, when affliction came, he humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed, and God was entreated by him. Manasseh was brought back, and then he removed the strange gods, repaired the altar of the Lord, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.

His repentance was not merely an emotion felt in distress. It led to a change of worship and a change of life. The idols had to come down. The altar of the Lord had to be repaired. The man who had once led others astray now had to lead them back.

Then comes the sad contrast of his son Amon. He saw his father’s former ways, but not his repentance. He humbled not himself before the Lord, but trespassed more and more. The same household, the same history, the same warning—and yet a different response to God.

So the question for us is not simply whether we have heard the Scriptures, but whether we will come to Christ. The Scriptures testify of him; they are not a substitute for him. We do not search them merely to collect religious information, but to be brought into the presence of the Saviour to whom they point. The appointed lessons today summon us to lay aside every rival trust and to hear the Son of God.

The Psalm gives us the fitting prayer: “Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me.” That is the prayer of a soul willing to be taught, corrected, and restored. It is the prayer of one who does not wish merely to receive honour from men, but seeks “the honour that cometh from God only.”

Let us therefore come to Christ—not with a passing interest, but with humble faith. Let us ask him to expose whatever idols have taken his place, to forgive our sins, and to make his word abide in us. He is not reluctant to give life. His invitation is plain, and his promise sure: whoever hears his word and believes in the Father who sent him has everlasting life. In him, even now, we pass from death unto life.