Order
for Evening Prayer
Let
my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my
hands as the evening sacrifice. – Psalm 141:2
Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light, and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession of sin and reflection on the events of the day
O 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,
Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Advent Prayers
for the week, including the Magnificat
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers for others, thanksgivings, petitions, or meditation
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us evermore. Amen.
