In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, both preparing for and flowing from the Mass. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it. The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation.

It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father.' (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. The Divine Office 'is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God ( Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer.

Liturgy of the hours divine office