Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Tuesday, 15 October 2024
  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 78

  
 

  
1
 Hear my law, O my people *
 incline your ears unto the words of my mouth.
  
 
  
2
 I will open my mouth in a parable *
 I will declare hard sentences of old;
  
 
  
3
 Which we have heard and known *
 and such as our fathers have told us;
  
 
  
4
 That we should not hide them from the children of the generations to come *
 but to shew the honour of the Lord, his mighty and wonderful works that he hath done.
  
 
  
5
 He made a covenant with Jacob, and gave Israel a law *
 which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children;
  
 
  
6
 That their posterity might know it *
 and the children which were yet unborn;
  
 
  
7
 To the intent that when they came up *
 they might shew their children the same;
  
 
  
8
 That they might put their trust in God *
 and not to forget the works of God, but to keep his commandments;
  
 
  
9
 And not to be as their forefathers, a faithless and stubborn generation *
 a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit cleaveth not stedfastly unto God;
  
 
  
10
 Like as the children of Ephraim *
 who being harnessed, and carrying bows, turned themselves back in the day of battle.
  
 
  
11
 They kept not the covenant of God *
 and would not walk in his law;
  
 
  
12
 But forgat what he had done *
 and the wonderful works that he had shewed for them.
  
 
  
13
 Marvellous things did he in the sight of our forefathers, in the land of Egypt *
 even in the field of Zoan.
  
 
  
14
 He divided the sea, and let them go through *
 he made the waters to stand on an heap.
  
 
  
15
 In the day-time also he led them with a cloud *
 and all the night through with a light of fire.
  
 
  
16
 He clave the hard rocks in the wilderness *
 and gave them drink thereof, as it had been out of the great depth.
  
 
  
17
 He brought waters out of the stony rock *
 so that it gushed out like the rivers.
  
 
  
18
 Yet for all this they sinned more against him *
 and provoked the most Highest in the wilderness.
  
 
  
19
 They tempted God in their hearts *
 and required meat for their lust.
  
 
  
20
 They spake against God also, saying *
 Shall God prepare a table in the wilderness?
  
 
  
21
 He smote the stony rock indeed, that the water gushed out, and the streams flowed withal *
 but can he give bread also, or provide flesh for his people?
  
 
  
22
 When the Lord heard this, he was wroth *
 so the fire was kindled in Jacob, and there came up heavy displeasure against Israel;
  
 
  
23
 Because they believed not in God *
 and put not their trust in his help.
  
 
  
24
 So he commanded the clouds above *
 and opened the doors of heaven.
  
 
  
25
 He rained down manna also upon them for to eat *
 and gave them food from heaven.
  
 
  
26
 So man did eat angels’ food *
 for he sent them meat enough.
  
 
  
27
 He caused the east-wind to blow under heaven *
 and through his power he brought in the south-west-wind.
  
 
  
28
 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust *
 and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
  
 
  
29
 He let it fall among their tents *
 even round about their habitation.
  
 
  
30
 So they did eat, and were well filled; for he gave them their own desire *
 they were not disappointed of their lust.
  
 
  
31
 But while the meat was yet in their mouths, the heavy wrath of God came upon them, and slew the wealthiest of them *
 yea, and smote down the chosen men that were in Israel.
  
 
  
32
 But for all this they sinned yet more *
 and believed not his wondrous works.
  
 
  
33
 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity *
 and their years in trouble.
  
 
  
34
 When he slew them, they sought him *
 and turned them early, and enquired after God.
  
 
  
35
 And they remembered that God was their strength *
 and that the high God was their redeemer.
  
 
  
36
 Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth *
 and dissembled with him in their tongue.
  
 
  
37
 For their heart was not whole with him *
 neither continued they stedfast in his covenant.
  
 
  
38
 But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds *
 and destroyed them not.
  
 
  
39
 Yea, many a time turned he his wrath away *
 and would not suffer his whole displeasure to arise.
  
 
  
40
 For he considered that they were but flesh *
 and that they were even a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
  
 
  
41
 Many a time did they provoke him in the wilderness *
 and grieved him in the desert.
  
 
  
42
 They turned back, and tempted God *
 and moved the Holy One in Israel.
  
 
  
43
 They thought not of his hand *
 and of the day when he delivered them from the hand of the enemy;
  
 
  
44
 How he had wrought his miracles in Egypt *
 and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
  
 
  
45
 He turned their waters into blood *
 so that they might not drink of the rivers.
  
 
  
46
 He sent lice among them, and devoured them up *
 and frogs to destroy them.
  
 
  
47
 He gave their fruit unto the caterpillar *
 and their labour unto the grasshopper.
  
 
  
48
 He destroyed their vines with hail-stones *
 and their mulberry-trees with the frost.
  
 
  
49
 He smote their cattle also with hail-stones *
 and their flocks with hot thunderbolts.
  
 
  
50
 He cast upon them the furiousness of his wrath, anger, displeasure, and trouble *
 and sent evil angels among them.
  
 
  
51
 He made a way to his indignation, and spared not their soul from death *
 but gave their life over to the pestilence;
  
 
  
52
 And smote all the first-born in Egypt *
 the most principal and mightiest in the dwellings of Ham.
  
 
  
53
 But as for his own people, he led them forth like sheep *
 and carried them in the wilderness like a flock.
  
 
  
54
 He brought them out safely, that they should not fear *
 and overwhelmed their enemies with the sea.
  
 
  
55
 And brought them within the borders of his sanctuary *
 even to his mountain which he purchased with his right hand.
  
 
  
56
 He cast out the heathen also before them *
 caused their land to be divided among them for an heritage, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
  
 
  
57
 So they tempted, and displeased the most high God *
 and kept not his testimonies;
  
 
  
58
 But turned their backs, and fell away like their forefathers *
 starting aside like a broken bow.
  
 
  
59
 For they grieved him with their hill altars *
 and provoked him to displeasure with their images.
  
 
  
60
 When God heard this, he was wroth *
 and took sore displeasure at Israel.
  
 
  
61
 So that he forsook the tabernacle in Silo *
 even the tent that he had pitched among men.
  
 
  
62
 He delivered their power into captivity *
 and their beauty into the enemy’s hand.
  
 
  
63
 He gave his people over also unto the sword *
 and was wroth with his inheritance.
  
 
  
64
 The fire consumed their young men *
 and their maidens were not given to marriage.
  
 
  
65
 Their priests were slain with the sword *
 and there were no widows to make lamentation.
  
 
  
66
 So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep *
 and like a giant refreshed with wine.
  
 
  
67
 He smote his enemies in the hinder parts *
 and put them to a perpetual shame.
  
 
  
68
 He refused the tabernacle of Joseph *
 and chose not the tribe of Ephraim;
  
 
  
69
 But chose the tribe of Judah *
 even the hill of Sion which he loved.
  
 
  
70
 And there he built his temple on high *
 and laid the foundation of it like the ground which he hath made continually.
  
 
  
71
 He chose David also his servant *
 and took him away from the sheep-folds.
  
 
  
72
 As he was following the ewes great with young ones he took him *
 that he might feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
  
 
  
73
 So he fed them with a faithful and true heart *
 and ruled them prudently with all his power.
  
 

     
    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: 2 Maccabees 6.12-end

Now I beseech those that read this book, that they be not discouraged for these calamities, but that they judge those punishments not to be for destruction, but for a chastening of our nation.
 For it is a token of his great goodness, when wicked doers are not suffered any long time, but forthwith punished.
 For not as with other nations, whom the Lord patiently forbeareth to punish, till they be come to the fulness of their sins, so dealeth he with us,
 Lest that, being come to the height of sin, afterwards he should take vengeance of us.
 And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: and though he punish with adversity, yet doth he never forsake his people.
 But let this that we at spoken be for a warning unto us. And now will we come to the declaring of the matter in a few words.
 Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man, and of a well favoured countenance, was constrained to open his mouth, and to eat swine’s flesh.
 But he, choosing rather to die gloriously, than to live stained with such an abomination, spit it forth, and came of his own accord to the torment,
 As it behoved them to come, that are resolute to stand out against such things, as are not lawful for love of life to be tasted.
 But they that had the charge of that wicked feast, for the old acquaintance they had with the man, taking him aside, besought him to bring flesh of his own provision, such as was lawful for him to use, and make as if he did eat of the flesh taken from the sacrifice commanded by the king;
 That in so doing he might be delivered from death, and for the old friendship with them find favour.
 But he began to consider discreetly, and as became his age, and the excellency of his ancient years, and the honour of his gray head, whereon was come, and his most honest education from a child, or rather the holy law made and given by God: therefore he answered accordingly, and willed them straightways to send him to the grave.
 For it becometh not our age, said he, in any wise to dissemble, whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, being fourscore years old and ten, were now gone to a strange religion;
 And so they through mine hypocrisy, and desire to live a little time and a moment longer, should be deceived by me, and I get a stain to mine old age, and make it abominable.
 For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men: yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither alive, nor dead.
 Wherefore now, manfully changing this life, I will shew myself such an one as mine age requireth,
 And leave a notable example to such as be young to die willingly and courageously for the honourable and holy laws. And when he had said these words, immediately he went to the torment:
 They that led him changing the good will they bare him a little before into hatred, because the foresaid speeches proceeded, as they thought, from a desperate mind.
 But when he was ready to die with stripes, he groaned, and said, It is manifest unto the Lord, that hath the holy knowledge, that whereas I might have been delivered from death, I now endure sore pains in body by being beaten: but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear him.
 And thus this man died, leaving his death for an example of a noble courage, and a memorial of virtue, not only unto young men, but unto all his nation.

or 2 Chronicles 34.1-18
       
  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: John 15.12-17

Jesus said to his disciples, This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

     
  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  
     
    O almighty and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that thou wouldest have done; 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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