Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Friday, 16 May 2025
  The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
  Introduction
   
  The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
   
  The minister introduces the service
     
    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 forgiveness 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 most 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 [after me]:
     
    (or)
     
    Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
     
    Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
   
All
  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 them, O God, which confess their faults.
    Restore thou them that are penitent;
    according to thy promises declared unto 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 thy holy name.
  Amen.
   
  A priest says
     
    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;
    and hath 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 them that truly repent
       and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
    Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
       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.
All
  Amen.
   
  or other ministers may say
     
    Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
    to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
    that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
    and serve thee with a quiet mind;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
  Amen.
   
All
  Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in 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.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    the power and the glory,
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.
  Evening Prayer
     
    The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
     
    These responses are used
     
    O Lord, open thou our lips
All
  and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
  O Lord, make haste to help us.
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
    and to the Holy Ghost;
All
  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Praise ye the Lord.
All
  The Lord's name be praised.
     
  Psalmody  
   

Psalm 82

  
 

  
1
 God standeth in the congregation of princes *
 he is a Judge among gods.
  
 
  
2
 How long will ye give wrong judgement *
 and accept the persons of the ungodly?
  
 
  
3
 Defend the poor and fatherless *
 see that such as are in need and necessity have right.
  
 
  
4
 Deliver the out-cast and poor *
 save them from the hand of the ungodly.
  
 
  
5
 They will not be learned nor understand, but walk on still in darkness *
 all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
  
 
  
6
 I have said, Ye are gods *
 and ye are all the children of the most Highest.
  
 
  
7
 But ye shall die like men *
 and fall like one of the princes.
  
 
  
8
 Arise, O God, and judge thou the earth *
 for thou shalt take all heathen to thine inheritance.
  
 

Psalm 83

  
 

  
1
 Hold not thy tongue, O God, keep not still silence *
 refrain not thyself, O God.
  
 
  
2
 For lo, thine enemies make a murmuring *
 and they that hate thee have lift up their head.
  
 
  
3
 They have imagined craftily against thy people *
 and taken counsel against thy secret ones.
  
 
  
4
 They have said, Come, and let us root them out, that they be no more a people *
 and that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
  
 
  
5
 For they have cast their heads together with one consent *
 and are confederate against thee;
  
 
  
6
 The tabernacles of the Edomites, and the Ismaelites *
 the Moabites, and Hagarens;
  
 
  
7
 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek *
 the Philistines, with them that dwell at Tyre.
  
 
  
8
 Assur also is joined with them *
 and have holpen the children of Lot.
  
 
  
9
 But do thou to them as unto the Madianites *
 unto Sisera, and unto Jabin at the brook of Kison;
  
 
  
10
 Who perished at Endor *
 and became as the dung of the earth.
  
 
  
11
 Make them and their princes like Oreb and Zeb *
 yea, make all their princes like as Zeba and Salmana;
  
 
  
12
 Who say, Let us take to ourselves *
 the houses of God in possession.
  
 
  
13
 O my God, make them like unto a wheel *
 and as the stubble before the wind;
  
 
  
14
 Like as the fire that burneth up the wood *
 and as the flame that consumeth the mountains.
  
 
  
15
 Persecute them even so with thy tempest *
 and make them afraid with thy storm.
  
 
  
16
 Make their faces ashamed, O Lord *
 that they may seek thy Name.
  
 
  
17
 Let them be confounded and vexed ever more and more *
 let them be put to shame, and perish.
  
 
  
18
 And they shall know that thou, whose Name is Jehovah *
 art only the most Highest over all the earth.
  
 

Psalm 84

  
 

  
1
 O how amiable are thy dwellings *
 thou Lord of hosts!
  
 
  
2
 My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord *
 my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
  
 
  
3
 Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young *
 even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
  
 
  
4
 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house *
 they will be alway praising thee.
  
 
  
5
 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee *
 in whose heart are thy ways.
  
 
  
6
 Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well *
 and the pools are filled with water.
  
 
  
7
 They will go from strength to strength *
 and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.
  
 
  
8
 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer *
 hearken, O God of Jacob.
  
 
  
9
 Behold, O God our defender *
 and look upon the face of thine Anointed.
  
 
  
10
 For one day in thy courts *
 is better than a thousand.
  
 
  
11
 I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God *
 than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
  
 
  
12
 For the Lord God is a light and defence *
 the Lord will give grace and worship, and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.
  
 
  
13
 O Lord God of hosts *
 blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.
  
 

Psalm 85

  
 

  
1
 Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land *
 thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
  
 
  
2
 Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people *
 and covered all their sins.
  
 
  
3
 Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure *
 and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.
  
 
  
4
 Turn us then, O God our Saviour *
 and let thine anger cease from us.
  
 
  
5
 Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever *
 and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?
  
 
  
6
 Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us *
 that thy people may rejoice in thee?
  
 
  
7
 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord *
 and grant us thy salvation.
  
 
  
8
 I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me *
 for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again.
  
 
  
9
 For his salvation is nigh them that fear him *
 that glory may dwell in our land.
  
 
  
10
 Mercy and truth are met together *
 righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
  
 
  
11
 Truth shall flourish out of the earth *
 and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
  
 
  
12
 Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness *
 and our land shall give her increase.
  
 
  
13
 Righteousness shall go before him *
 and he shall direct his going in the way.
  
 

     
    At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
     
    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.
     
    Old Testament Reading  
 
   

First Reading: Exodus 35.20 - 36.7

And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord.
And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers’ skins, brought them.
Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord’s offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.
And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair.
And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

 

Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded.
And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.
And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.
And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

       
  Magnificat  
     
    Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.
     
1
  My soul doth magnify the Lord :
    and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
     
2
  For he hath regarded :
    the lowliness of his handmaiden.
     
3
  For behold, from henceforth :
    all generations shall call me blessed.
     
4
  For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
    and holy is his Name.
     
5
  And his mercy is on them that fear him :
    throughout all generations.
     
6
  He hath shewed strength with his arm :
    he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
     
7
  He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
    and hath exalted the humble and meek.
     
8
  He hath filled the hungry with good things :
    and the rich he hath sent empty away.
     
9
  He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
    as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
   
Luke 1.46-55
     
    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.
     
  New Testament Reading  
 
   

Second Reading: Luke 4.14-30

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

     
  Nunc dimittis  
     
    Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.
     
1
  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
    according to thy word.
     
2
  For mine eyes have seen :
    thy salvation;
     
3
  Which thou hast prepared :
    before the face of all people;
     
4
  To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
    and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
   
Luke 2.29-32
     
    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 Apostles' Creed  
     
All
  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.
     
  Prayers  
     
    The Lord be with you.
All
  And with thy spirit.
     
    Let us pray.
     
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
All
  Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
     
All
  Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in 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.
     
    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All
  And grant us thy salvation.
     
    O Lord, save the King.
All
  And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
     
    Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All
  And make thy chosen people joyful.
     
    O Lord, save thy people.
All
  And bless thine inheritance.
     
    Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All
  Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
    but only thou, O God.
     
    O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All
  And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
     
    Three Collects are said.
     
  The Collect of the Day  
     
    Almighty God, who shewest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.
All
  Amen.
     
     
  The 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 both, 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.
All
  Amen.
     
  The Collect for Aid against all 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.
All
  Amen.
     
    The order for the end of the service may include:
     
    hymns or anthems
       a sermon
    further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
     
    This prayer may be used to conclude the service
     
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    and the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
    be with us all evermore.
All
  Amen.