The Book of Common Prayer
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    1786 Proposed U. S. Book of Common Prayer

 

 

The O R D E R for

Daily EVENING PRAYER.


The EVENING PRAYER is to be read the same as MORNING PRAYER, to the Answer "The Lords Name be praised," preceding the Psalms; then shall be said or sung the Psalms in Order as are appointed, with the Doxology, as in the Morning Service; then the Lesson from the Old Testament; after which this HYMN:

St. Luke 1, 46.

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.

¶ Or else this. Psal. 98.

O Sing unto the Lord a new song: for he hath done marvellous things.
    With his own right hand, and with his holy arm: hath he gotten himself the victory.
    The Lord declared his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
    He hath remembered his mercy and truth towards the house of Israel: and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.
    Shew yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands: sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
    Praise the Lord upon the harp: sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.
    With trumpets also and shawms: O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord the King.
    Let the sea make noise, and all that therein is: the round world and they that dwell therein.
    Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord: for he cometh to judge the earth.
    With righteousness shall he judge the world: and the people with equity.
 

 

Then a Lesson of the New Testament, as it is appointed: And after that shall be sung or said this Hymn.

St. Luke 2. 29.

LOrd, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word.
    For mine eyes have seen: the salvation,
    Which thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
    To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory thy people Israel.

Or else this. Psal. 67.

GOd be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us;
    That thy way may be known upon earth: thy saving health among all nations.
    Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee.
    O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
    Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee.
    Then shall the earth bring forth her increase: and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
    God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

Then shall be said the Apostles Creed by the Minster and the People, standing.

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; 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 Sin; The resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen.

And after that, the Prayers following, all devoutly kneeling; the Minister first pronouncing,

    The Lord be with you:
    Answ. And with thy Spirit.
¶  Minister. Let us pray.
    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us;
    Answ. And grant us thy salvation.
    Minister. O Lord, bless and preserve these United States;
    Answ. And mercifully hear us, when we call upon thee.
    Minister. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness;
    Answ. And make thy people joyful.
    Minister. O God, make clean our heart within us;
    Answ. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
 

 

C O L L E C T S.

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.

ENlighten our minds, O Lord, we beseech thee, with thy truth; 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.

These four Prayers following, are always to be used in the Evening Service, and at other Times when the Litany is not said.

A Prayer for the Congress.

MOst gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for these United States in general, so especially for their Delegates in Congress: that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of thy Glory, the good of thy Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness; truth and justice, religion and piety may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

A Prayer for our Civil Rulers.

O Lord our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the Universe, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers, upon earth; most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold all in authority, legislative, judicial and executive, in these United States; and so replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way: Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and wealth long to live; and finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for the Clergy and People.

ALmighty and everlasting God, send down upon all Bishops and other Pastors, and the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing: Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer 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 thy holy Church universal; 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 way afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; [* especially those for whom our prayers are desired] 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’s sake. Amen.

Then the General Thanksgiving and Prayer of St. Chrysostom and the blessing, as in the Morning Service.


Here endeth the Evening Prayer.

 

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