Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Thursday, 3 September 2026
  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 18

  
 

  
1
 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my stony rock, and my defence *
 my Saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge.
  
 
  
2
 I will call upon the Lord, which is worthy to be praised *
 so shall I be safe from mine enemies.
  
 
  
3
 The sorrows of death compassed me *
 and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid.
  
 
  
4
 The pains of hell came about me *
 the snares of death overtook me.
  
 
  
5
 In my trouble I will call upon the Lord *
 and complain unto my God.
  
 
  
6
 So shall he hear my voice out of his holy temple *
 and my complaint shall come before him, it shall enter even into his ears.
  
 
  
7
 The earth trembled and quaked *
 the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were removed, because he was wroth.
  
 
  
8
 There went a smoke out in his presence *
 and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it.
  
 
  
9
 He bowed the heavens also, and came down *
 and it was dark under his feet.
  
 
  
10
 He rode upon the cherubims, and did fly *
 he came flying upon the wings of the wind.
  
 
  
11
 He made darkness his secret place *
 his pavilion round about him with dark water, and thick clouds to cover him.
  
 
  
12
 At the brightness of his presence his clouds removed *
 hail-stones, and coals of fire.
  
 
  
13
 The Lord also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder *
 hail-stones, and coals of fire.
  
 
  
14
 He sent out his arrows, and scattered them *
 he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them.
  
 
  
15
 The springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered, at thy chiding, O Lord *
 at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure.
  
 
  
16
 He shall send down from on high to fetch me *
 and shall take me out of many waters.
  
 
  
17
 He shall deliver me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me *
 for they are too mighty for me.
  
 
  
18
 They prevented me in the day of my trouble *
 but the Lord was my upholder.
  
 
  
19
 He brought me forth also into a place of liberty *
 he brought me forth, even because he had a favour unto me.
  
 
  
20
 The Lord shall reward me after my righteous dealing *
 according to the cleanness of my hands shall he recompense me.
  
 
  
21
 Because I have kept the ways of the Lord *
 and have not forsaken my God, as the wicked doth.
  
 
  
22
 For I have an eye unto all his laws *
 and will not cast out his commandments from me.
  
 
  
23
 I was also uncorrupt before him *
 and eschewed mine own wickedness.
  
 
  
24
 Therefore shall the Lord reward me after my righteous dealing *
 and according unto the cleanness of my hands in his eye-sight.
  
 
  
25
 With the holy thou shalt be holy *
 and with a perfect man thou shalt be perfect.
  
 
  
26
 With the clean thou shalt be clean *
 and with the froward thou shalt learn frowardness.
  
 
  
27
 For thou shalt save the people that are in adversity *
 and shalt bring down the high looks of the proud.
  
 
  
28
 Thou also shalt light my candle *
 the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light.
  
 
  
29
 For in thee I shall discomfit an host of men *
 and with the help of my God I shall leap over the wall.
  
 
  
30
 The way of God is an undefiled way *
 the word of the Lord also is tried in the fire; he is the defender of all them that put their trust in him.
  
 
  
31
 For who is God, but the Lord *
 or who hath any strength, except our God?
  
 
  
32
 It is God, that girdeth me with strength of war *
 and maketh my way perfect.
  
 
  
33
 He maketh my feet like harts’ feet *
 and setteth me up on high.
  
 
  
34
 He teacheth mine hands to fight *
 and mine arms shall break even a bow of steel.
  
 
  
35
 Thou hast given me the defence of thy salvation *
 thy right hand also shall hold me up, and thy loving correction shall make me great.
  
 
  
36
 Thou shalt make room enough under me for to go *
 that my footsteps shall not slide.
  
 
  
37
 I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them *
 neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them.
  
 
  
38
 I will smite them, that they shall not be able to stand *
 but fall under my feet.
  
 
  
39
 Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle *
 thou shalt throw down mine enemies under me.
  
 
  
40
 Thou hast made mine enemies also to turn their backs upon me *
 and I shall destroy them that hate me.
  
 
  
41
 They shall cry, but there shall be none to help them *
 yea, even unto the Lord shall they cry, but he shall not hear them.
  
 
  
42
 I will beat them as small as the dust before the wind *
 I will cast them out as the clay in the streets.
  
 
  
43
 Thou shalt deliver me from the strivings of the people *
 and thou shalt make me the head of the heathen.
  
 
  
44
 A people whom I have not known *
 shall serve me.
  
 
  
45
 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me *
 but the strange children shall dissemble with me.
  
 
  
46
 The strange children shall fail *
 and be afraid out of their prisons.
  
 
  
47
 The Lord liveth, and blessed be my strong helper *
 and praised be the God of my salvation.
  
 
  
48
 Even the God that seeth that I be avenged *
 and subdueth the people unto me.
  
 
  
49
 It is he that delivereth me from my cruel enemies, and setteth me up above mine adversaries *
 thou shalt rid me from the wicked man.
  
 
  
50
 For this cause will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles *
 and sing praises unto thy Name.
  
 
  
51
 Great prosperity giveth he unto his King *
 and sheweth loving-kindness unto David his Anointed, and unto his seed for evermore.
  
 

     
    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: Zechariah 1.1-17

 

In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.
 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.
 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
 Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
 And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
 Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
 And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
 Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

       
  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: Mark 9.2-13

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?
 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

     
  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 and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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.
     
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