An American Prayer Book (2009): Evening Prayer

EVENING PRAYER

The minister may read aloud one or more of these or other suitable sentences of Scripture.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4: 11

The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4: 23

The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2: 20

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Psalm 96: 9

Advent

In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God Isaiah 40: 3

Christmas

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11

Epiphany

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60: 1

Lent

Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit. Isaiah 57: 15

Passiontide and Holy Week

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 8

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! Matthew 21: 9

Easter

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1: 3

Ascension

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.Hebrews 4: 14, 16

Pentecost (Whitsunday) and Ember Seasons

God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5: 5

Trinity Sunday

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6: 3

All Saints and Saints' Days

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.Hebrews 12: 1-2

The minister then reads one or more of these sentences of Scripture.

When a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord; so turn and live. Ezekiel 18: 27,32

I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51: 3

Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Psalm 51: 9

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51: 17

Rend your hearts, and not your garments. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and relents over disaster. Joel 2: 13

To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us. Daniel 9: 9-10

Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
Jeremiah 10: 24

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3: 2

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Luke 15: 18-19

Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
Psalm 143: 2

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1: 8-9

The minister says this Exhortation. He may omit the second paragraph.

Dear brothers and sisters, the Scriptures encourages us repeatedly to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not try to hide them from Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient hearts, so that we may receive forgiveness through God’s infinite goodness and mercy.

[We ought at all times humbly to admit our sins before God, but chiefly when we meet together to give thanks for the great benefits we have received at his hands, to offer the praise that is due him, to hear his holy word, and to ask what is necessary for our bodies and souls.]

Therefore let us approach the throne of our gracious God and say together:

Or he may omit the Exhortation, saying instead

Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.

Keep reading