If you’re using Internet Explorer, please update your browser for the full version of the app to run.
Pray
Pray

Evening Prayer

Wednesday after the Seventh Sunday of Easter

Opening Sentence

Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. Amen.Psalm 74:15,16

Confession of Sin

BCP p. 79/116

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

ost merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought,
word, and deed,
by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us and forgive us;

that we may delight in your will,

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your Name.
Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Invitatory and Psalter

V:O God, make speed to save us.
R:O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Alleluia.

O Gracious Light Phos Hilaron

BCP p. 118

gracious 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.

Psalm 119: Ayin Feci judicium

BCP p. 773

121

have done what is just and right; *
do not deliver me to my oppressors.

122

Be surety for your servant’s good; *
let not the proud oppress me.

123

My eyes have failed from watching for your salvation *
and for your righteous promise.

124

Deal with your servant according to your loving-kindness *
and teach me your statutes.

125

I am your servant; grant me understanding, *
that I may know your decrees.

126

It is time for you to act, O Lord, *
for they have broken your law.

127

Truly, I love your commandments *
more than gold and precious stones.

128

I hold all your commandments to be right for me; *
all paths of falsehood I abhor.

Psalm 119: Pe Mirabilia

BCP p. 774

129

our decrees are wonderful; *
therefore I obey them with all my heart.

130

When your word goes forth it gives light; *
it gives understanding to the simple.

131

I open my mouth and pant; *
I long for your commandments.

132

Turn to me in mercy, *
as you always do to those who love your Name.

133

Steady my footsteps in your word; *
let no iniquity have dominion over me.

134

Rescue me from those who oppress me, *
and I will keep your commandments.

135

Let your countenance shine upon your servant *
and teach me your statutes.

136

My eyes shed streams of tears, *
because people do not keep your law.

Psalm 119: Sadhe Justus es, Domine

BCP p. 774

137

ou are righteous, O Lord, *
and upright are your judgments.

138

You have issued your decrees *
with justice and in perfect faithfulness.

139

My indignation has consumed me, *
because my enemies forget your words.

140

Your word has been tested to the uttermost, *
and your servant holds it dear.

141

I am small and of little account, *
yet I do not forget your commandments.

142

Your justice is an everlasting justice *
and your law is the truth.

143

Trouble and distress have come upon me, *
yet your commandments are my delight.

144

The righteousness of your decrees is everlasting; *
grant me understanding, that I may live.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lessons

The First Reading

Heb. 7:1-17 (NRSV)

A Reading from the Book of Hebrews.

his “King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him”; 2and to him Abraham apportioned “one-tenth of everything.” His name, in the first place, means “king of righteousness”; next he is also king of Salem, that is, “king of peace.” 3Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. 4See how great he is! Even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils. 5And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to collect tithes from the people, that is, from their kindred, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6But this man, who does not belong to their ancestry, collected tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had received the promises. 7It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8In the one case, tithes are received by those who are mortal; in the other, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Now if perfection had been attainable through the levitical priesthood—for the people received the law under this priesthood—what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13Now the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, 16one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is attested of him, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

15. The Song of Mary Magnificat

BCP p. 91/119

Luke 1:46-55

y soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed

BCP p. 96/120

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 power of 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

OfficiantThe Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd also with you.
OfficiantLet us pray.
The Lord’s Prayer

ur 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.

Suffrages

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

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,
We entreat you, O Lord.

The Collect of the Day

God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

A Collect for Protection

God, 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 you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer for Mission

God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers and Thanksgivings
  • Prayers
    • Prayers for the World
    • Prayers for the Church
    • Prayers for National Life
    • Prayers for the Social Order
      • 27. For Social Justice
      • 28. In Times of Conflict
      • 29. For Agriculture
      • 30. For the Unemployed
      • 31. For Schools and Colleges
      • 32. For the Good Use of Leisure

        32. For the Good Use of Leisure

        O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

      • 33. For Cities
      • 34. For Towns and Rural Areas

        34. For Towns and Rural Areas

        Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas [especially—]; and grant that all the people of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and the water from which these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name. Amen.

      • 35. For the Poor and Neglected
      • 36. For the Oppressed
      • 37. For Prisons and Correctional Institutions
      • 38. For the Right Use of God's Gifts
      • 39. For those who Influence Public Opinion
    • Prayers for the Natural Order
      • 40. For Knowledge of God's Creation
      • 41. For the Conservation of Natural Resources

        41. For the Conservation of Natural Resources

        Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so 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 you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

      • 42. For the Harvest of Lands and Waters
      • 43. For Rain
      • 44. For the Future of the Human Race
    • Prayers for Family and Personal Life
      • 45. For Families
      • 46. For the Care of Children
      • 47. For Young Persons
      • 48. For Those Who Live Alone
      • 49. For the Aged
      • 50. For a Birthday
      • 51. For a Birthday
      • 52. For the Absent

        52. 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 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.

      • 53. For Travelers
      • 54. For those we Love
      • 55. For a Person in Trouble or Bereavement
      • 56. For the Victims of Addiction
      • 57. For Guidance
      • 58. For Guidance
      • 59. For Quiet Confidence
      • 60. For Protection
      • 61. A Prayer of Self-Dedication
      • 62. A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
    • Other Prayers
    • Prayers for the Sick
    • Prayers for use by a Sick Person
  • Thanksgivings
The General Thanksgiving

BCP p. 101/125

lmighty 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. Chrysostom

BCP p. 102/126

lmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: 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.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Romans 15:13

Sponsored by Forward Movement.