Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Sunday, 11 June 2023
  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 [39]

  
 

[

  
1
 I said, I will take heed to my ways *
 that I offend not in my tongue.
  
 
  
2
 I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle *
 while the ungodly is in my sight.
  
 
  
3
 I held my tongue, and spake nothing *
 I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
  
 
  
4
 My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled *
 and at the last I spake with my tongue;
  
 
  
5
 Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days *
 that I may be certified how long I have to live.
  
 
  
6
 Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long *
 and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
  
 
  
7
 For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain *
 he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
  
 
  
8
 And now, Lord, what is my hope *
 truly my hope is even in thee.
  
 
  
9
 Deliver me from all mine offences *
 and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
  
 
  
10
 I became dumb, and opened not my mouth *
 for it was thy doing.
  
 
  
11
 Take thy plague away from me *
 I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
  
 
  
12
 When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment *
 every man therefore is but vanity.
  
 
  
13
 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling *
 hold not thy peace at my tears.
  
 
  
14
 For I am a stranger with thee *
 and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
  
 
  
15
 O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength *
 before I go hence, and be no more seen.
  
 ]

Psalm 41

  
 

  
1
 Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy *
 the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.
  
 
  
2
 The Lord preserve him, and keep him alive, that he may be blessed upon earth *
 and deliver not thou him into the will of his enemies.
  
 
  
3
 The Lord comfort him, when he lieth sick upon his bed *
 make thou all his bed in his sickness.
  
 
  
4
 I said, Lord, be merciful unto me *
 heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.
  
 
  
5
 Mine enemies speak evil of me *
 When shall he die, and his name perish?
  
 
  
6
 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity *
 and his heart conceiveth falsehood within himself, and when he cometh forth he telleth it.
  
 
  
7
 All mine enemies whisper together against me *
 even against me do they imagine this evil.
  
 
  
8
 Let the sentence of guiltiness proceed against him *
 and now that he lieth, let him rise up no more.
  
 
  
9
 Yea, even mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted *
 who did also eat of my bread, hath laid great wait for me.
  
 
  
10
 But be thou merciful unto me, O Lord *
 raise thou me up again, and I shall reward them.
  
 
  
11
 By this I know thou favourest me *
 that mine enemy doth not triumph against me.
  
 
  
12
 And when I am in my health, thou upholdest me *
 and shalt set me before thy face for ever.
  
 
  
13
 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel *
 world without end. Amen.
  
 
     
    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: 1 Samuel 18.1-16

 

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.
 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.
 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
 And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.
 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.
 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

       
  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: Luke 8.41-56

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

     
  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 God, the strength of all them that put their trust in thee, mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping of thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; 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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