The Order for Evening Prayer

Daily Throughout the Year

At the beginning of Evening Prayer the Minister shall read with a loud voice one or more of the Sentences of the Scriptures which follow

Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Ezekiel 28:27

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51:3

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Psalm 51:9

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Joel 2:13

To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Daniel 9:9-10

Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Jeremiah 10:24

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ Luke 15:18-19

Enter not into judgement with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. Psalm 143:2

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

The minister shall say:

Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moves us, in various places, to acknowledge and confess our multiudes of sins and wickednesses; and that we should neither disguise nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; so that that we may obtain his forgiveness of them, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet chiefly we ought to do so 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, both for the body and for the soul. Therefore, I pray and call upon you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me:

A general Confession to be said of the whole Congregation after the Minister, all kneeling.

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred, and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done, and there is no health in us. But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those that are penitent, according to your promises declared to mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

The Absolution, or Remission of sins, to be pronounced by the Priest alone, standing; the people still kneeling

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and who has given power and commandment to his Ministers to declare and pronounce the Absolution and Remission of sins to his penitent people: He pardons and absolves all who truly repent, and without falsehood believe his holy Gospel. Therefore, let us beseech him to grant us both true repentance, and also his Holy Spirit, that those things which we do at present may please him; and that the rest of our lives hereafter may be pure, and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The people shall answer here, and at the end of all other prayers, Amen

If no priest be present the person saying the service shall read the Collect for the Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity, that person and the people still kneeling.

The Minister shall kneel, and say the Lord’s Prayer with an audible voice; the people kneeling, and repeating it with him

Our Father which is in heaven, Hallowed be your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

Amen.

The Minister (still kneeling) shall say:

O Lord, open our lips

And our mouth shall show forth your praise

O God, make speed to save us

O Lord, make haste to help us.

All stand

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen

Praise ye the Lord.

The Lord’s Name be praised.

Then shall be said or sung the Psalms in the appointed order. Following this, the appointed lesson from the Old Testament, and after that the Magnificat or the Psalm Cantate Domino in English (as found below, or read from the Bible):

Magnificat (or the Song of the blessed Virgin Mary)

Luke 1:45-55

My soul does magnify the Lord : and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he has regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty has magnified me : and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.

He has showed strength with his arm : he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their seats : and has exalted the humble and meek.

He has filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end.

Amen

Cantate Domino

Psalm 98

This Psalm shall not be used here when it is otherwise appointed

O sing unto the Lord a new song : for he has done marvellous things.

With his own right hand, and with his holy arm : he has gotten himself the victory.

The Lord declared his salvation : his righteousness he has openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

He has remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel : and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.

Show yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all you lands : sing, rejoice, and give thanks.

Praise the Lord upon the harp : sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.

With trumpets also and shawms : O show yourselves joyful before the Lord the King.

Let the sea make a noise, and all that is therein : the round world, and that dwell therein.

Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord : for he comes to judge the earth.

With righteousness he shall judge the world : and the peoples with equity.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end.

Amen

The appointed lesson from the New Testament, followed by Nunc Dimittis or the Psalm Deus Misereatur, in English (as follows, or from the Bible):

Then

Nunc dimittis (or the Song of Simeon)

Luke 2:29-32

LORD, now you let me your servant depart in peace : according to your word.

For my eyes have seen : your salvation,

Which you have prepared : before the face of all people;

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of your people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end.

Amen

Deus misereatur

This Psalm shall not be used here when it is otherwise appointed

Psalm 67

God be merciful unto us, and bless us : and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us;

That your way may be known upon earth : your saving health among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God : yea, let all the peoples praise you.

O let the nations rejoice and be glad : for you shall judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.

Let the people praise you, O God : yea, let all the people praise you.

Then shall the earth bring forth her increase : and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.

God shall bless us : and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end.

Amen

All stand and say the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead: he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen

All kneel devoutly. The Minister shall say with a loud voice:

The Lord be with you

And with your spirit

Let us pray

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

All shall say the Lord’s Prayer with a loud voice:

The Priest shall stand and say:

O Lord, show your mercy upon us.

And grant us your salvation.

O Lord, save the Queen.

And mercifully hear us when we call upon you.

Endue your Ministers with righteousness.

And make your chosen people joyful.

O Lord, save your people.

And bless your inheritance.

Give peace in our time, O Lord.

Because there is no other that fights for us, but only you, O God.

O God, make clean our hearts within us.

And take not your Holy Spirit from us.

Three collects now follow: 1, of the day; 2, for Peace; 3, for Aid against all Perils. (These latter two do not change and are said throughout the year.)

All kneel.

The collect of the day shall be said

The second Collect, for Peace

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto your servants that peace which the world cannot give; both that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and that we, being defended by you from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

The third Collect, for Grace

Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

In Quires and places where services are sung, the anthem follows

A Prayer for the King‘s Majesty

O Lord, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who beholds all who dwell upon the earth from your throne; we most heartily beseech you to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King GEORGE in your favour; and so replenish him with the grace of your Holy Spirit, that he may always be inclined to your will, and walk in your way. Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant him a long life in health and wealth; strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies; and finally, after this life, he may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

A Prayer for the Royal Family

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech you to bless their Royal Highnesses, George Prince of Wales, the Princess Dowager of Wales, the Duke, the Princesses and all the Royal Family: Endue them with your Holy Spirit; enrich them with your heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

A Prayer for the Clergy and People

Almighty and everlasting God, who alone works great marvels; send down upon our Bishops, and Curates, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of your grace; and that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ.

Amen

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, who has given us grace to, at this time, with one accord make our common supplications unto you; and has promised, that when two or three are gathered together in your Name you will grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Amen

II Corinthians 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Amen

End of the Order of Evening Prayer throughout the Year

of common prayer