THE ORDER FOR

DAILY EVENING PRAYER.

¶ The Minister shall begin the Evening Prayer by reading one or more of the following Sentences of Scripture; and then he shall say that which is written after them. But on days other than the Lord's Day, he may, at his discretion, pass at once from the Sentences to the Lord's Prayer.

THE LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab. ii. 20.
    Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Psalm xxvi. 8.
    Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Psalm cxli. 2.
    O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of him. Psalm xcvi. 9.
    Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm xix. 14, 15.

    Watch ye, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. St. Mark xiii. 35, 36.
    Repent ye; for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. St. Matt. iii. 2.
    Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God Rev. xxi. 3.
    From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering: for my Name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal. i. 11.
    Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord. And he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. Isaiah ii. 5, 3.
    He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor. v. 21.
    In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Eph. i. 7.
    If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Col. iii. 1.
    Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Heb. ix. 24.
    The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. xxii. 17.
    O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling. Psalm xliii. 3.
    Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah vi. 3.

When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezek. xviii. 27.
    I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Psalm li. 3.
    Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Psalm li. 9.
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm li. 17.
    Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel ii. 13.
    To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us. Dan. ix. 9, 10.
    O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Jer. x. 24. Psalm vi. 1.
    I will arise and go to my father and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to he called thy son. St. Luke xv. 18 19.
    Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Psalm cxliii. 2.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 St. John i. 8, 9.

LET us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

¶ Or else he shall say as followeth.

DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us, in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgive-ness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we chiefly so to do, 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, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech 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-

A General Confession.

¶ To be said by the whole congregation, after the Minister, all kneeling.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy 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 thou O Lord have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus 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 thy holy Name. Amen.

The Declaration of Absolution, or Remission of Sins.

¶ To be made by the Priest alone, standing; the People still kneeling.

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live, bath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins. He pardoneth and absolveth all those who truly repent, and unfeignedty believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true re-pentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Or this.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who, with hearty repentance and true faith, turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then the Minister shall kneel and say the Lord's Prayer; the People still kneeling, and repeating it with him.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come Thy 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 those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then likewise he shall say,

O Lord, open thou our lips.

    Answer. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.

¶ Here, all standing up, the Minister shall say,

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
    Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
    Minister. Praise ye the Lord.
    Answer. The Lord's Name be praised.

¶ Then shall follow a Portion of the Psalms, as they are appointed, or one of the Selections, as they are set forth by this Church. And at the end of every Psalm, and likewise at the end of the Magnificat, Cantate Domino, Bonum est confiteri, Nunc dimittis, Deus misereatur, Benedic anima mea, may be sung or said the Gloria Patri and at the end of the whole portion or Selection of Psalms for the day shall be sung or said the Gloria Patri, or else the Gloria in excelsis, as followeth.

Gloria in excelsis.  

GLORY be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
    O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
    For thou only art holy thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

¶ Then shall be read the First Lesson, according to the Table or calendar.
¶ After which shall be sang or said the Hymn called Magnificat, as followeth.

Magnificat. St. Luke i. 46.  

MY soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
    For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.
    For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.
    For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.
    And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.
    He hath showed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
    He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.
    He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich lie hatli sent empty away.
    He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

¶ Or this Psalm, except when it is read in the ordinary coarse of the Psalms, on the nineteenth day of the month.

Cantate Domino. Psalm xcviii.

 O SING unto the LORD a new song : for he hath done marvellous things.
    With his own right hand, and with his holy arm : hath he gotten himself the victory.
    The Lord declared his salvation : his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.
    He hath 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 ye 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 therein is : the round world, and they that dwell therein.
    Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord : for he cometh to judge the earth.
    With righteousness shall lie judge the world : and the people with equity.

¶ Or this.

Bonum est confiteri. Psalm xcii.

IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord : and to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most Highest;
    To tell of thy loving-kindness early in the morning : and of thy truth in the night season;
    Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the lute: upon a loud instrument, and upon the harp.
    For thou, Lord hast made me glad through thy works : and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of thy hands.

¶ Then a Lesson of the New Testament, as it is appointed.
¶ And after that shalt be sang or said the Hymn, called Nunc dimittis, as followeth.

Nunc dimittis. St. Luke ii. 29.

 LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
    For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation,
    Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people;
    To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

¶ Or else this Psalm; except it be on the twelfth day of the month.

Deus misereatur. Psalm lxvii.

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us : and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us;
    That thy way may be known upon earth : thy saving health among all nations.
    Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the people praise thee.
    O let the nations rejoice and be glad : for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
    Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the people praise thee.
    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.

¶ Or this.

Benedic, anima mea. Psalm ciii.

 PRAISE the Lord, O my soul : and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
    Praise the Lord, O my soul : and forget not all his benefits:
    Who forgiveth all thy sin : and healeth all thine infirmities:
    Who saveth thy life from destruction : and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness.
    O praise the Lord ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength : ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.
    O praise the Lord, all ye his hosts: ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
    O speak good of the Lord all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion : praise thou the Lord, O my soul.

¶ Then shall be said the Apostles' Creed by the Minister and the people, standing. And any churches may, instead of the words He descended into hell, use the words He went into the place of departed spirits which are considered as words of the same meaning in the 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; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

¶ Or this.

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
    And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made;
    Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was inearnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man: And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried: And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father: And he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
    And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets: And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church: I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins: And I look for the Resurrection of the dead: And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

¶ And after that, these Prayers following, all devoutly kneeling, the Minister first pronouncing,  

    The Lord be with you
Answer. And with thy spirit.
    Minister. Let us pray.
    O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
Answer. And grant us thy salvation.
Minister. O Lord, save the State.
Answer. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Minister. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness.
Answer. And make thy chosen people joyful.
Minister. O Lord, save thy people.
Answer. And bless thine inheritance.
Minister. Give peace in our time, O Lord.
Answer. For it is thou Lord only, that makest us dwell in safety.
Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us.
Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

¶ Then shall be said the Collect for the day, and after that the Collects and Prayers following.

A Collect for Peace.

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

A Collect for Aid against Perils.

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

¶ In places where it may be convenient, here followeth the Anthem.
¶ The Minister may here end the Evening Prayer with such Prayer, or Prayers, taken out of this Book, as he shalt think fit.

A Prayer for The President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority.

ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and so rule the hearts of thy servants The President of the United States, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them, in thee, and for thee, according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer for the Clergy and People.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer for all Conditions of Men.

 O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [* especially those for whom our prayers are desired;] that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

A General Thanksgiving.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men; [*particularly to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgiving; for thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them.] We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service. and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.

 ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

2 Cor. xiii. 14.

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Here endeth the Order of Evening Prayer.

Return to the Book of Common Prayer Home Page.

Updated: 24 Oct., 1997.

Comments, corrections, etc., to: Charles Wohlers