Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Monday, 13 July 2020
  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 69

  
 

  
1
 Save me, O God *
 for the waters are come in, even unto my soul.
  
 
  
2
 I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is *
 I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
  
 
  
3
 I am weary of crying; my throat is dry *
 my sight faileth me for waiting so long upon my God.
  
 
  
4
 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head *
 they that are mine enemies, and would destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
  
 
  
5
 I paid them the things that I never took *
 God, thou knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.
  
 
  
6
 Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my cause *
 let not those that seek thee be confounded through me, O Lord God of Israel.
  
 
  
7
 And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof *
 shame hath covered my face.
  
 
  
8
 I am become a stranger unto my brethren *
 even an alien unto my mother’s children.
  
 
  
9
 For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me *
 and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
  
 
  
10
 I wept, and chastened myself with fasting *
 and that was turned to my reproof.
  
 
  
11
 I put on sackcloth also *
 and they jested upon me.
  
 
  
12
 They that sit in the gate speak against me *
 and the drunkards make songs upon me.
  
 
  
13
 But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee *
 in an acceptable time.
  
 
  
14
 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy *
 even in the truth of thy salvation.
  
 
  
15
 Take me out of the mire, that I sink not *
 O let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
  
 
  
16
 Let not the water-flood drown me, neither let the deep swallow me up *
 and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
  
 
  
17
 Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable *
 turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies.
  
 
  
18
 And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble *
 O haste thee, and hear me.
  
 
  
19
 Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it *
 O deliver me, because of mine enemies.
  
 
  
20
 Thou hast known my reproof, my shame, and my dishonour *
 mine adversaries are all in thy sight.
  
 
  
21
 Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness *
 I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man, neither found I any to comfort me.
  
 
  
22
 They gave me gall to eat *
 and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
  
 
  
23
 Let their table be made a snare to take themselves withal *
 and let the things that should have been for their wealth be unto them an occasion of falling.
  
 
  
24
 Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not *
 and ever bow thou down their backs.
  
 
  
25
 Pour out thine indignation upon them *
 and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.
  
 
  
26
 Let their habitation be void *
 and no man to dwell in their tents.
  
 
  
27
 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten *
 and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.
  
 
  
28
 Let them fall from one wickedness to another *
 and not come into thy righteousness.
  
 
  
29
 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
 and not be written among the righteous.
  
 
  
30
 As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness *
 thy help, O God, shall lift me up.
  
 
  
31
 I will praise the Name of God with a song *
 and magnify it with thanksgiving.
  
 
  
32
 This also shall please the Lord *
 better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
  
 
  
33
 The humble shall consider this, and be glad *
 seek ye after God, and your soul shall live.
  
 
  
34
 For the Lord heareth the poor *
 and despiseth not his prisoners.
  
 
  
35
 Let heaven and earth praise him *
 the sea, and all that moveth therein.
  
 
  
36
 For God will save Sion, and build the cities of Judah *
 that men may dwell there, and have it in possession.
  
 
  
37
 The posterity also of his servants shall inherit it *
 and they that love his Name shall dwell therein.
  
 

Psalm 70

  
 

  
1
 Haste thee, O God, to deliver me *
 make haste to help me, O Lord.
  
 
  
2
 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul *
 let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil.
  
 
  
3
 Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame *
 that cry over me, There, there.
  
 
  
4
 But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
 and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
  
 
  
5
 As for me, I am poor and in misery *
 haste thee unto me, O God.
  
 
  
6
 Thou art my helper, and my redeemer *
 O Lord, make no long tarrying.
  
 

     
    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: Ezekiel 1.1-14

 

Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
 The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.
 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

       
  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: 2 Corinthians 1.1-14

 

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
 For we write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus.

     
  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 Queen.
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  
     
    Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through 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.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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