Daily Evening Prayer
If you are wanting to pray evening prayer, here it is! It is easy to follow along here on your phone, tablet, or computer. The officiant (leader) prays the text in the normal print, and everyone else prays the text in the bold print. (Wherever you see *’s, you may either all say that part of the prayer together, or you may rotate, with one group of people saying the line with the *, and another group saying the next line, and so forth and so on.)
If you are leading prayer among a number of people or are doing this alone, you will have to click to another page a few times. (This is clearly marked).
If you are just participating with another person leading, everything you need is here!
I do recommend you have your Scriptures chosen before you start. You can use the ACNA Daily Office Lectionary or another one if you prefer. (Once you click this link, scroll down to the section called “Calendars and Lectionaries”.)
From the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (Anglican Church in North America)
OPENING SENTENCE
The Officiant may begin Evening Prayer by reading an opening sentence of Scripture. Click here for these Scriptures.
CONFESSION OF SIN
The Officiant says to the People:
Dearly beloved, the Scriptures teach us to acknowledge our many sins and offenses, not concealing them from our heavenly Father, but confessing them with humble and obedient hearts that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness andmercy. We ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before Almighty God, but especially when we come together in his presence to give thanks for the great benefits we have received at his hands, to declare his most worthy praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things which are necessary for our life and our salvation. Therefore, draw near with me to the throne of heavenly grace.
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Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
Silence is kept. All kneeling, the Officiant and People say:
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires
of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought notto have done;
and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spare all those who confess their faults.
Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says:
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, desires not the death of sinners, but that they may turn from their wickedness and live. He has empowered and commanded his ministers to pronounce to his people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins. He pardons and absolves all who truly repent and genuinely believe his holy Gospel. For this reason, we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that our present deeds may please him, the rest of our lives may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.
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If no priest is available, a deacon or layperson remains kneeling and prays:
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVITATORY
Officiant and people engage in call and response:
Officiant O Lord, open our lips;
People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Officiant O God, make speed to save us;
People O Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
People As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Officiant Praise the Lord.
People The Lord’s Name be praised.
INVITATORY HYMN - PHOS HILARON
O Gladsome Light
O gladsome light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, *
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light, *
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, *
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
THE READINGS
It is common to follow a lectionary here (a list of set readings throughout the year). You can find ACNA’s lectionary here. ( Once you click this link, scroll down to the section called “Calendars and Lectionaries”.)
THE APPOINTED PSALM
Psalm is read. At the end of the Psalms the Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father…. (found below)) is said.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,world without end. Amen.
THE LESSONS
One or more Lessons, as appointed, are read, the Reader first saying,
A Reading from _____________.
After each Lesson the Reader may say
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
THE CANTICLES
All may say one or more of the following Canticles after each reading or after all of the readings. (Traditionally these are also sung.)
MAGNIFICAT
The Song of Mary
My soul magnifies the Lord, *
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
For he has regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from now on, *
all generations will call me blessed;
For he that is mighty has magnified me, *
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him, *
throughout all generations.
He has shown the strength of his arm; *
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has exalted the humble and meek.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,world without end. Amen.
LUKE 1:46-55
NUNC DIMITTIS
The Song of Simeon
Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, *
according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, *
which you have prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *
and to be the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; * as it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, worldwithout end. Amen.
LUKE 2:29-32
THE APOSTLES CREED
Officiant and People together all say together:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
Officiant The Lord be with you.
People And with your spirit.
Officiant Let us pray.
The People kneel or stand.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Officiant and People all say together
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.
Officiant and People engage in the following call and response. (You may do the first set of “suffrages” or the second set.”
#1
Officiant O Lord, show your mercy upon us;
People And grant us your salvation.
Officiant O Lord, guide those who govern us;
People And lead us in the way of justice and truth.
Officiant Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
People And let your people sing with joy.
Officiant O Lord, save your people;
People And bless your inheritance.
Officiant Give peace in our time, O Lord;
People And defend us by your mighty power.
Officiant Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; .
People Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Officiant Create in us clean hearts, O God;
People And take not your Holy Spirit from us.
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#2
Officiant That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That there may be peace in your Church and in the whole world,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
Officiant That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of [ ___________ and] all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
People We entreat you, O Lord.
THE COLLECTS AND PRAYERS FOR MISSION
The Officiant then prays The Collect of the Day, one or more of the other Collects, and the prayer for Mission. These collects and prayers can be found here.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
All may offer up their individual petitions silently or aloud
THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING
All say:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable 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 pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A PRAYER OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Officiant says:
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
THE BLESSING
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
From Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost, “Alleluia, alleluia” may be added to the preceding versicle and response.
The officiant says concluding blessing.
The blessings can be found here.