The Scottish Book of Common Prayer (1929): Evening Prayer

THE ORDER FOR

EVENING PRAYER

DAILY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

The Introduction (as on pages 1C5) having been said, the Minister and the whole Congregation after him shall say this general Confession, all kneeling:

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, or Remission of sins, to be pronounced by the Priest alone, standing: the people still kneeling.

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. Amen.

Or this general Confession and this Absolution may be said.

WE confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, through our own grievous fault. Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.

ALMIGHTY God have mercy upon us, forgive us all our sins and deliver us from evil, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

The Absolution, to be pronounced by the Priest alone, standing.

MAY the Almighty and merciful Lord grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, time for true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then likewise the Minister shall say,

O LORD, open thou our lips;
Answer. And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Minister. O God, make speed to save us;
Answer. O Lord, make haste to help us.

Here, all standing up, the Minister shall say,

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
Minister. Praise ye the Lord;
Answer. The Lord=s Name be praised.

Then shall be sung or said the Psalms in order as they be appointed. Then a Lesson of the Old Testament, as is appointed. And after that Magnificat (or the Song of the Blessed Virgin Mary), as followeth.

MAGNIFICAT

St. Luke 1. 46.

MY soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
2 For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
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.
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.

Then a Lesson of the New Testament, as it is appointed. And after that Nunc dimittis (or the Song of Simeon, as followeth.

NUNC DIMITTIS

St. Luke 2. 29.

O 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.
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.

Then shall be sung or said the Apostles= Creed, by the Minister 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: He descended into hell¹The 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.

1 Meaning here: went into the place of departed spirits.

And after that these prayers following, all devoutly kneeling: the Minister first pronouncing with a loud voice,

The Lord be with you;
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Then the Minister, Clerks, and people shall say the Lord=s Prayer with a loud voice.

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.

Then the Minister standing up shall say,

O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us;
Answer. And grant us thy salvation.
Minister. O Lord, save the Queen;
Answer. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Minister. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness;
Answer. And make thy chosen people joyful.
Minister. O Lord, save thy people;
Answer. And bless thine inheritance.
Minister. Give peace in our time, O Lord;
Answer. Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.
Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us;
Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
Minister. Let us pray.

Then shall follow three Collects: The first of the Day: The second for Peace: The third for Aid against all Perils, as hereafter followeth. the people devoutly kneeling: which last two Collects shall be said daily at Evening Prayer without alteration.

THE SECOND COLLECT AT EVENING PRAYER

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.

In Quires and Places where they sing, here followeth the Anthem or hymn.

A PRAYER FOR THE QUEEN=S MAJESTY

O LORD our heavenly Father, high and mighty. King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth: Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, and so replenish her with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that she may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way: Endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant her in health and wealth long to live; strengthen her that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies, and finally after this life she may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech thee to bless Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Philip Duke of Edinburgh, Charles Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family: Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The following prayer may be said, for the Queen, the Royal Family, the Ministers of the Crown, the Parliament (when in session), and those in Authority, instead of the prayers For the Queen=s Majesty, For the Royal Family, and For the High Court of Parliament; but always either the following prayer, or those above noted, shall be used, together with the Prayer for the Clergy and People, the Prayer of Saint Chrysostom, and The Grace, unless the Litany be said.

O LORD God of our fathers, who rulest the nations of the earth: Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, that she may alway incline to thy will and walk in thy way; and together with her bless Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Philip Duke of Edinburgh, Charles Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family. Endue with wisdom the Ministers of the Crown, [the High Court of Parliament at this time assembled*,] and those who are set in over us, that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, that peace and happiness, truth and ,justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE

ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, who alone workest great marvels: Send down upon our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, and all 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 OF SAINT CHRYSOSTOM

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.

2 Corinthians 13. 14.

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.

Or, instead of the Prayer for the Clergy and People and the Prayer of Saint Chrysostom and The Grace, some or all of the following Intercessions may be said.

Let us pray for the Queen, and all who are set in authority under her throughout her dominions.

V. The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord;
R. Exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation.

ALMIGHTY God, who reignest over the kingdoms of men: We humbly beseech thee to bless our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, her Ministers and Parliaments, and all who are set in authority under her throughout her dominions; that they may order all things in wisdom and righteousness, to the honour of thy holy Name, and the good of thy Church and people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for the unity of all Christian people.

V. Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is;
R. To dwell together in unity.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst say unto thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church, and grant unto all Christian people that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

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 henceforth 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.

Let us pray for the extension of Christ=s kingdom throughout the world.

V. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace;
R. And bring glad tidings of good things.

O GOD our heavenly Father, who didst manifest thy love by sending thine only-begotten Son into the world that all might live through him: Pour thy Spirit upon thy Church that it may fulfil his command to make disciples of all the nations; send forth, we beseech thee, labourers into thy harvest; and hasten the time when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and all Israel shall be saved; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance;
R. And the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.

O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are afar off and to them that are nigh: Grant that the people who sit in darkness and the shadow of death may feel after thee and find thee; and hasten, O Lord, the fulfilment of thy promise to pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for the sick and suffering.

V. He healeth those that are broken in heart;
R. And giveth medicine to heal their sickness.

ALMIGHTY and immortal God, giver of life and health: We beseech thee to hear our prayers for thy servants for whom we implore thy mercy, that by thy blessing upon them and upon those who minister to them of thy healing gifts, they may be restored, if it be thy gracious will, to soundness of health, and give thanks to thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here may follow any of the Additional Prayers as need may require.

Let us remember before God the faithful departed.

V. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God;
R. They are in peace.

O ETERNAL Lord God, who holdest all souls in life: We beseech thee to shed forth upon all the faithful departed the bright beams of thy light and heavenly comfort; and grant that they, and we with them, may at length attain to the joys of thine eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here may follow any of the Thanksgivings.

TO God the Father who loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved; to God the Son, who loved us, and loosed us from our sins by his own blood; to God the Holy Ghost who sheddeth the love of God abroad in our hearts; to the one true God be all love and all glory for time and for eternity. Amen.
The Almighty and merciful God bless and keep us this night, and for evermore. Amen.

These Intercessions may be said at other times.

Here endeth the Order of Evening Prayer throughout the year.