Avon Dassett with Fenny Compton, Burton Dassett, Farnborough, Gaydon with Chadshunt
Evening Prayer
MONDAY EVENING PRAYER
THE BIDDING PRAYER
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 cloke
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:
THE CONFESSION
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.
THE ABSOLUTION
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.
If no priest is present the person saying the Service shall read the following:
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.
THE PRECES
O Lord open thou our lips.
All And our mouth shall show 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.
PROVERB 16:1-17
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way,
but one who hates a rebuke will die.
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord,
how much more human hearts!
Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
they will not go to the wise.
A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
All the days of the poor are hard,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
THE MAGNIFICAT
All My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed, for ever.
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. LUKE 1.46-55
REFLECTION
THE NUNC DIMITTIS
All LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace:
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles:
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
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. LUKE 2.29-32
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.
THE VERSICLES AND RESPONSES
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, show 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 with in us.
All And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
COLLECTS
The Collect of the day
R
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Second 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. Amen.
The Third 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. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth.
Almighty and ever-living God,
who by thy holy Apostle
hast taught us to make prayers and supplications,
and to give thanks, for all men:
We humbly beseech thee most mercifully
to receive these our prayers,
which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty;
beseeching thee to inspire continually
the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord:
And grant, that all they that do confess thy holy Name
may agree in the truth of thy holy Word,
and live in unity, and godly love. Amen
A General Thanksgiving
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies,
we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks
for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men;
We bless thee for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable 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 beseech thee,
to give us that due sense of all thy mercies,
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,
and that we shew forth thy praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives;
by giving up ourselves to thy service,
and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory,
world without end. Amen.
For the people of the church
O LORD, Jesus Christ,
who dost embrace all thy children
with the arms of thy mercy,
and dost make us living members of thy Church;
Give us grace, we pray thee,
to stand fast in thy faith,
to obey thy word,
and to abide in thy love;
that being made strong by thy Holy Spirit
we may resist temptation and overcome evil;
and may rejoice in the life that now is,
and dwell with thee in the life that is to come;
through thy merits, O merciful Saviour,
who with the Father and the Holy Ghost
livest and reignest one God,
world without end. Amen.
For the Poor, Homeless, and Neglected
O GOD, Almighty and merciful,
who healest those that are broken in heart,
and turnest the sadness of the sorrowful to joy;
Let thy fatherly goodness be upon all that thou hast made.
Remember in pity such as are this day
destitute, homeless, or forgotten of their fellow-men.
Bless the congregation of thy poor.
Uplift those who are cast down.
Mightily befriend innocent sufferers,
and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs.
Cheer with hope all discouraged and unhappy people,
and by thy heavenly grace
preserve from falling
those whose penury tempteth them to sin;
though they be troubled on every side,
suffer them not to be distressed;
though they be perplexed,
save them from despair.
Grant this, O Lord, for the love of him,
who for our sakes became poor,
thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the unemployed or those in financial difficulty
Heavenly Father, we remember before thee
those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work
and, or fear of financial difficulty.
Guide the people of this country to use our public and private wealth
that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment,
receive just payment for their labor,
or where needed financial support;
we ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience
O God our Father,
whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death:
Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience;
when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate;
when they are rejected, save them from bitterness;
when they are imprisoned, save them from despair;
and to us thy servants,
give grace to respect their witness
and to discern the truth,
that our society may be cleansed and strengthened.
This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ,
our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.
For the Sick
MERCIFUL God, and heavenly Father,
who hast taught us in thy holy Word
that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men;
We most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord,
to comfort and succour all them,
who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness,
or any other adversity.
Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril;
give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick;
prosper the means made use of, for their cure;
and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is,
we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom
which leadeth to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For the Dead
We also bless thy holy Name
for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear;
beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples,
that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom: Amen
We now have a moment of silent prayer
to bring to the Lord those people and things on our hearts and mind.
Silence
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee,
so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills,
that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee;
and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt,
and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
The prayer of St. Chrysostom
All Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord
to make our common supplications unto thee;
and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name
thou wilt grant their requests:
Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them;
granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth,
and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
All The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
be with us all evermore. Amen
BLESSING
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord:
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be amongst you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
TUESDAY EVENING PRAYER
THE BIDDING PRAYER
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 cloke
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:
THE CONFESSION
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.
THE ABSOLUTION
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.
If no priest is present the person saying the Service shall read the following:
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.
THE PRECES
O Lord open thou our lips.
All And our mouth shall show 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.
PROVERB 16:18-33
Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,
but those who are slow to anger calm contention.
The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.
A wise child makes a glad father,
but the foolish despise their mothers.
Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,
but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.
Without counsel, plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.
To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
and a word in season, how good it is!
For the wise the path of life leads upward,
in order to avoid Sheol below.
The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but maintains the widow’s boundaries.
Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.
Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
but those who hate bribes will live.
The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.
The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the body.
The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
will lodge among the wise.
Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
but those who heed admonition gain understanding.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility goes before honour.
THE MAGNIFICAT
All My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed, for ever.
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. LUKE 1.46-55
REFLECTION
THE NUNC DIMITTIS
All LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace:
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles:
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
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. LUKE 2.29-32
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.
THE VERSICLES AND RESPONSES
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, show 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 with in us.
All And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
COLLECTS
The Collect of the day
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Second 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. Amen.
The Third 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. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
A General Thanksgiving
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies,
we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks
for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men;
We bless thee for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable 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 beseech thee,
to give us that due sense of all thy mercies,
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,
and that we shew forth thy praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives;
by giving up ourselves to thy service,
and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory,
world without end. Amen.
For the Queen and those who govern our land
We beseech thee also to save and defend
all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors;
and specially thy servant ELIZABETH our Queen;
that under her we may be godly and quietly governed:
And grant unto her whole Council,
and to all that are put in authority under her,
that they may truly and indifferently minister justice,
to the punishment of wickedness and vice,
and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue. Amen
For our country
ALMIGHTY God,
who hast given us this good land for our heritage;
We humbly beseech thee
that we may always prove ourselves
a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will.
Bless our land with honourable industry,
sound learning, and pure manners.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Defend our liberties,
and fashion into one united people
the multitudes brought hither
out of many kindreds and tongues.
Endue with the spirit of wisdom
those to whom in thy Name
we entrust the authority of government,
that there may be justice and peace at home,
and that, through obedience to thy law,
we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,
and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;
all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Diversity of Races and Cultures
O God, who created all peoples in thy image,
we thank thee for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship,
and show us thy presence in those who differ most from us,
until our knowledge of thy love
is made perfect in our love for all thy children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For all Conditions of men
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind,
we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men;
that thou wouldest be pleased
to make thy ways known unto them,
thy saving health unto all nations.
More especially we pray
for the good estate of the Catholic Church;
that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit,
that all who profess and call themselves Christians
may be led into the way of truth,
and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
Finally we commend to thy fatherly goodness
all those, who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate;
especially those within our own community,
those on our prayer list
and those known to us personally;
that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them,
according to their several necessities,
giving them patience under their sufferings,
and a happy issue out of all their afflictions.
And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen.
For the Dead
We also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants
departed this life in thy faith and fear;
beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples,
that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom: Amen
We now have a moment of silent prayer
to bring to the Lord those people and things on our hearts and mind.
Silence
For Guidance
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment,
and light riseth up in darkness for the godly:
Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties,
the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do,
that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices,
and that in thy light we may see light,
and in thy straight path may not stumble;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The prayer of St. Chrysostom
All Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord
to make our common supplications unto thee;
and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name
thou wilt grant their requests:
Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them;
granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth,
and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
All The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
be with us all evermore. Amen
BLESSING
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord:
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be amongst you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER
THE BIDDING PRAYER
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 cloke
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:
THE CONFESSION
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.
THE ABSOLUTION
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.
If no priest is present the person saying the Service shall read the following:
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.
THE PRECES
O Lord open thou our lips.
All And our mouth shall show 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.
PROVERB 17:1-15
Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.
A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully,
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
An evildoer listens to wicked lips;
and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.
Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their parents.
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
still less is false speech to a ruler.
A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it;
wherever they turn they prosper.
One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,
but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.
A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person
than a hundred blows into a fool.
Evil people seek only rebellion,
but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs
than to confront a fool immersed in folly.
Evil will not depart from the house
of one who returns evil for good.
The beginning of strife is like letting out water;
so stop before the quarrel breaks out.
One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
THE MAGNIFICAT
All My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed, for ever.
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. LUKE 1.46-55
REFLECTION
THE NUNC DIMITTIS
All LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace:
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles:
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
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. LUKE 2.29-32
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.
THE VERSICLES AND RESPONSES
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, show 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 with in us.
All And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
COLLECTS
The Collect of the day
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Second 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. Amen.
The Third 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. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
A General Thanksgiving
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies,
we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks
for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men;
We bless thee for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable 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 beseech thee,
to give us that due sense of all thy mercies,
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,
and that we shew forth thy praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives;
by giving up ourselves to thy service,
and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory,
world without end. Amen.
Holy, righteous, and merciful God
enable us by thy grace to offer thee
true worship and joyful service.
Cleanse our minds and free our consciences
from the things that hide thee from us,
and unite us one with another
in the fellowship of the Ghost;
through Christ, our Lord and our Redeemer. Amen
For the church
O GRACIOUS Father,
we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church;
that thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace.
Where it is corrupt, purify it;
where it is in error, direct it;
where in anything it is amiss, reform it.
Where it is right, establish it;
where it is in want, provide for it;
where it is divided, reunite it;
for the sake of him who died and rose again,
and ever liveth to make intercession for us,
Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
For Our Country
Lord God Almighty,
who has made all the peoples of the earth for thy glory,
to serve thee in freedom and in peace:
Give to the people of our country
a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance,
that we may use our liberty in accordance with thy gracious will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Social Justice
Grant, O God,
that thy holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart
and especially the hearts of the people of this land,
that barriers which divide us may crumble,
suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease;
that our divisions being healed,
we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Oppressed
Look with pity, O heavenly Father,
upon thy people who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death
as their constant companions.
Have mercy upon us.
Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbours.
Strengthen those who spend their lives
establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all.
And grant that all may enjoy
a fair portion of the riches of thy world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Families
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we commend to thy continual care
the homes in which thy people dwell.
Put far from them, we beseech thee,
every root of bitterness,
the desire of vain glory,
and the pride of life.
Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge,
temperance, patience, godliness.
Knit together in constant affection
those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh.
Turn the hearts of the parents to the children,
and the hearts of the children to the parents;
and so enkindle fervent charity among us all,
that we may evermore be kindly affectioned one to another;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Sick
MOST mighty and merciful God,
in time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour.
And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord,
to comfort and succour all them,
who in this transitory life
are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. Amen
ALMIGHTY God and heavenly Father,
we give thee humble thanks
for that thou hast been graciously pleased
to deliver from sickness in mind, body and spirit
those who’s names we know
and those we don’t know,
on whose behalf we bless and praise thy Name,
in the presence of all thy people.
Grant, we beseech thee, O gracious Father,
that they, through thy help,
may both faithfully live in this world according to thy will,
and also may be partakers of everlasting glory in the life to come;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Dead
We also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear;
beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples,
that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom:
We now have a moment of silent prayer
to bring to the Lord those people and things on our hearts and mind.
Silence
For Guidance
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favour,
and further us with thy continual help;
that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee,
we may glorify thy holy Name,
and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The prayer of St. Chrysostom
All Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord
to make our common supplications unto thee;
and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name
thou wilt grant their requests:
Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them;
granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth,
and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
All The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
be with us all evermore. Amen
BLESSING
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord:
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be amongst you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
THURSDAY EVENING PRAYER
THE BIDDING PRAYER
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 cloke
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:
THE CONFESSION
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.
THE ABSOLUTION
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.
If no priest is present the person saying the Service shall read the following:
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.
THE PRECES
O Lord open thou our lips.
All And our mouth shall show 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.
PROVERB 17:16:28
Why should fools have a price in hand
to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn?
A friend loves at all times,
and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.
It is senseless to give a pledge,
to become surety for a neighbour.
One who loves transgression loves strife;
one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.
The crooked of mind do not prosper,
and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.
The one who begets a fool gets trouble;
the parent of a fool has no joy.
A cheerful heart is a good medicine,
but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
The wicked accept a concealed bribe
to pervert the ways of justice.
The discerning person looks to wisdom,
but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.
Foolish children are a grief to their father
and bitterness to her who bore them.
To impose a fine on the innocent is not right,
or to flog the noble for their integrity.
One who spares words is knowledgeable;
one who is cool in spirit has understanding.
Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;
when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
THE MAGNIFICAT
All My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed, for ever.
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. LUKE 1.46-55
PROVERB REFLECTION
THE NUNC DIMITTIS
All LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace:
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles:
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
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. LUKE 2.29-32
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.
THE VERSICLES AND RESPONSES
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, show 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 with in us.
All And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
COLLECTS
The Collect of the day
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Second 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. Amen.
The Third 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. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
A General Thanksgiving
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies,
we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks
for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men;
We bless thee for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable 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 beseech thee,
to give us that due sense of all thy mercies,
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,
and that we shew forth thy praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives;
by giving up ourselves to thy service,
and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory,
world without end. Amen.
For Joy in God's Creation
O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty:
Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works;
that, rejoicing in thy whole creation,
we may learn to serve thee with gladness;
for the sake of him through whom all things were made,
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Conservation of Natural Resources
Almighty God,
Through Thy blessing we were given dominion over all the earth:
and made fellow workers in Thy creation:
Increase our reverence in the mystery of life;
give us wisdom to use the resources of nature,
that no one may suffer from our abuse of them,
and that generations yet to come
may continue to praise thee for thy bounty;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Farming and Agriculture
Almighty God,
have mercy upon all who live and work in rural areas
especially here in Dassett Magna;
We thank thee for making the earth fruitful,
so that it might produce what is needed for life:
Bless those who work in the fields;
those who work with the animals,
give us seasonable weather;
and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth,
rejoicing in thy goodness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Human Family
O God, who made us in thine own image
and redeemed us through thy Son Jesus:
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion
to accomplish thy purposes on earth;
that, in thy good time, all nations and races
may serve thee in harmony around thy heavenly throne;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Care of Children
Almighty God, heavenly Father,
who has blessed parents with the joy and care of children:
Give them calm strength and patient wisdom as they bring them up,
that they may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good,
following the example of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the Aged
Look with mercy, O God our Father,
on all whose increasing years
bring them weakness, distress, or isolation.
Provide for them homes of dignity and peace;
where needed give them understanding helpers,
and the willingness to accept help;
and, as their strength diminishes,
increase their faith and their assurance of thy love
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those we Love
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us
to Thy never-failing care and love.
Defend them from all dangers of body mind or spirit;
And when they are absent from us
keep them close to our hearts, never absent from our mutual love.
As we are always close to thee.
All Amen.
For the sick and those in need
FATHER of mercies and God of all comfort,
our only help in time of need;
We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve
thy sick servants for whom our prayers are desired.
Look upon them with the eyes of thy mercy;
comfort them with a sense of thy goodness;
preserve them from the temptations of the enemy;
and give them patience under their manifold afflictions.
In thy good time, restore them to health,
and enable them to lead the residue of their life
in thy fear, and to thy glory;
and grant that finally they may dwell with thee in life everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Dead
We also bless thy holy Name
for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear;
beseeching thee to give us grace
so to follow their good examples,
that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom:
We now have a moment of silent prayer
to bring to the Lord those people and things on our hearts and mind.
Silence
O God, who art the life of all who live,
the light of the faithful,
the strength of those who labor,
and the repose of the dead:
We thank thee for the timely blessings of the day,
and humbly beseech thy merciful protection all the night.
Bring us, we pray thee, in safety to the morning hours;
through him who died for us and rose again,
thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
The prayer of St. Chrysostom
All Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord
to make our common supplications unto thee;
and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name
thou wilt grant their requests:
Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them;
granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth,
and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
All The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
be with us all evermore. Amen
BLESSING
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord:
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be amongst you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
Evening Prayer
FRIDAY EVENING PRAYER
THE BIDDING PRAYER
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 cloke
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:
THE CONFESSION
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.
THE ABSOLUTION
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.
If no priest is present the person saying the Service shall read the following:
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.
THE PRECES
O Lord open thou our lips.
All And our mouth shall show 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.
BIBLE READING
THE MAGNIFICAT
All My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed, for ever.
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. LUKE 1.46-55
BIBLE REFLECTION
THE NUNC DIMITTIS
All LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace:
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles:
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
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. LUKE 2.29-32
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.
THE VERSICLES AND RESPONSES
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, show 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 with in us.
All And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
COLLECTS
The Collect of the day
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Second 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. Amen.
The Third 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. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
A General Thanksgiving
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies,
we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks
for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men;
We bless thee for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable 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 beseech thee,
to give us that due sense of all thy mercies,
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,
and that we shew forth thy praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives;
by giving up ourselves to thy service,
and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory,
world without end. Amen.
Enable us, O Lord,
to give thee the place and honour in our life we ought to give thee;
to see thy goodness with us day by day
that our heart may be filled with gratitude.
May thy Holy Spirit inspire us and set our heart on fire,
as we seek to bear whiteness to thy love and power
and may the risen Lord go before us in every pathway of our life
now and always. Amen.
Prayer of St Augustine
Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
who made us for thy-self,
so that our hearts are restless till they rest in thee:
we give thee thanks for every mercy granted to us in times past,
and for thy presence with us at this hour.
As here we seek to rededicate our life and work to thee,
grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose,
that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing thy will,
no weakness from doing it;
but that in thy light we may see light clearly,
and in thy service find our perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A Prayer for the church
Almighty and everlasting God,
who by thy Holy Spirit didst preside in the Council of the blessed Apostles,
and hast promised, through thy Son Jesus Christ,
to be with thy Church to the end of the world;
We beseech thee to be with thy Church here assembled
in thy Name and Presence.
Save us from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice;
and of thy great mercy vouchsafe, we beseech thee,
so to direct, sanctify, and govern us in our work,
by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost,
that the comfortable Gospel of Christ may be truly preached,
truly received, and truly followed, in all places,
to the breaking down the kingdom of sin, Satan, and death;
till at length the whole of thy dispersed sheep,
being gathered into one fold,
shall become partakers of everlasting life;
through the merits and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Prayer for Unity
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace;
Give us grace seriously to lay to heart
the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions.
Take away all hatred and prejudice,
and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly, union and concord:
that as there is but one Body and one Spirit,
and one hope of our calling,
one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism,
one God and Father of us all,
so we may be all of one heart and of one soul,
united in one holy bond of truth and peace,
of faith and charity,
and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those Who Live Alone
Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head:
Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude,
but that, following in his steps,
they may find fulfilment in Thy love and that of their neighbours;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
For the Absent
O God, whose fatherly care reacheth to the uttermost parts of the earth:
We humbly beseech thee graciously to behold and bless
those whom we love, now absent from us.
Defend them from all dangers of soul and body;
and grant that both they and we,
drawing nearer to thee,
may be bound together by thy love
in the communion of thy Holy Spirit,
and in the fellowship of thy saints;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The sick and those in need
Most mighty and merciful God,
in time of grievous sickness, need and adversity
we flee unto thee for succour.
Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril;
give strength and skill
to all those who minister to the sick and those in distress;
Look with pity, we beseech thee,
upon the sorrows of thy servants
for whom our prayers are offered.
Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them.
Remember them, O Lord, in mercy;
endue their souls with patience;
comfort them with a sense of thy goodness;
lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Dead
We also bless thy holy Name
for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear;
beseeching thee to give us grace
so to follow their good examples,
that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom:
We now have a moment of silent prayer
to bring to the Lord those people and things on our hearts and mind.
Silence
O God, who art the life of all who live,
the light of the faithful,
the strength of those who labor,
and the repose of the dead:
We thank thee for the timely blessings of the day,
and humbly beseech thy merciful protection all the night.
Bring us, we pray thee, in safety to the morning hours;
through him who died for us and rose again,
thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
The prayer of St. Chrysostom
All Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord
to make our common supplications unto thee;
and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name
thou wilt grant their requests:
Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them;
granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth,
and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
All The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
be with us all evermore. Amen
BLESSING
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord:
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be amongst you and remain with you always.
All Amen.